Summer may bring long days, more sunshine, and increased business opportunities, but it also brings unique challenges for maintaining a clean and healthy space. Unlike a traditional spring clean that focuses on dusting off winter’s grime, a deep summer cleaning is about confronting the season’s unique issues: higher foot traffic, peak pollen counts, increased humidity, and relentless sunlight that highlights every smudge and stain.
For businesses and homes alike, this means a few key things:
- Air quality becomes a top concern. With pollen, dust, and outdoor allergens at their peak, a poorly maintained HVAC system can circulate contaminants throughout a home or workplace.
- Foot traffic increases. Summer brings interns, visitors, clients, seasonal employees, and neighborhood kids playing outdoors. That means more dirt, sand, and debris are tracked across floors.
- Brand image and curb appeal are on display. Bright summer sunlight highlights every smudge on windows, every stain on a carpet, and every bit of clutter in common areas. For homes, a neglected exterior can diminish curb appeal.
A seasonal deep clean isn’t just about aesthetics—it directly impacts health, morale, and even operational efficiency. In this comprehensive summer cleaning checklist, we’ll break down everything you need to do—area by area—and explain why professional cleaning services are the best way to get it done right.
Entryways and Lobbies: The First Impression
Your entryway is the first impression visitors, clients, and employees receive. During summer, this area becomes a high-traffic hub for dirt and allergens, making it a hotspot for grime and a critical part of your summer cleaning checklist.
For Businesses:
- Power Wash Exterior Walkways and Entrances: Remove built-up dirt, gum, and stains from winter and spring. A professional pressure wash can make a concrete walkway look brand new, enhancing curb appeal.
- Clean Glass Doors and Windows: Wipe away fingerprints, smudges, and dirt for a professional, streak-free look that makes your business inviting.
- Deep Clean Entry Mats and Carpets: Absorbent mats are your first line of defense. Professional extraction removes deeply embedded sand, pollen, and allergens, extending the lifespan of your flooring and improving air quality.
- Clean Lobby Furniture: Wipe down all hard surfaces and use specialized cleaning on upholstered seating to prevent buildup from sweat and body oils.
For Homes:
- Wipe Down Front Doors and Windows: Remove dust and pollen.
- Clean Door Mats: Shake out, vacuum, or wash your entry mats to prevent dirt from spreading indoors.
- Sweep and Hose Down Porches: Clear away leaves, pollen, and cobwebs from your front porch and entryways.
Pro Tip: Professional services use high-powered extraction equipment for carpets and mats, removing deep-seated allergens and extending the lifespan of flooring materials. This is an essential step in any summer cleaning checklist for homes and businesses.
Offices and Living Areas: Combating the Summer Smog
Workspaces and living areas accumulate hidden dust and bacteria that impact productivity. Summer adds extra stress because air conditioning systems circulate dust and pollen, while bright sunlight makes every bit of dirt more noticeable.
For Businesses:
- Dust All Surfaces: This includes cubicle tops, blinds, ceiling fans, and baseboards. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas that have been collecting dust all year.
- Disinfect High-Touch Points: Go beyond a quick wipe. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant on keyboards, phones, light switches, remote controls, and conference tables to kill germs and prevent illness.
- Vacuum and Deep Clean Carpets and Upholstery: The increased summer foot traffic pushes dirt deeper into fibers. Professional hot water extraction removes this grime, along with dust mites and allergens that thrive in high humidity.
- Sanitize Shared Equipment: Clean computer monitors, glass partitions, projectors, and whiteboards for a polished, professional look.
For Homes:
- Dust Everything: Dust all surfaces, including blinds, baseboards, and ceiling fans.
- Wash Curtains and Blinds: These items trap dust and allergens and can make the air quality in your home worse.
- Vacuum and Deep-Clean Upholstery: Summer is a great time to deep clean sofas, chairs, and rugs that have collected dirt and grime throughout the year.
Pro Tip: Professional cleaners use HEPA-filter vacuums to capture allergens, improving indoor air quality for employees and family members. This is a crucial step in a comprehensive summer cleaning checklist.
Break Rooms and Kitchens: Battling Heat and Humidity
Summer heat accelerates food spoilage, odor buildup, and pest activity. A spotless breakroom or kitchen is essential for health, morale, and preventing an infestation.
For Businesses:
- Empty and Sanitize Refrigerators: Toss expired items and use a food-safe sanitizer to wipe down all shelves and drawers.
- Deep Clean Appliances: This includes microwaves, coffee machines, and toasters.
- Disinfect Surfaces: Wipe and disinfect countertops, sinks, and cabinets. Clean trash bins and replace liners daily to prevent odors and pests.
- Mop and Sanitize Floors: Prevent sticky buildup and kill bacteria with a thorough mopping and sanitization.
For Homes:
- Deep Clean Refrigerator and Pantry: Toss out old food and wipe down shelves.
- Sanitize All Surfaces: Focus on countertops, cutting boards, and sinks to prevent bacteria growth in the heat.
- Clean and Organize Cabinets: This is a great time to wipe down all cabinets and drawers, especially those near the stove or sink.
Pro Tip: A professional cleaning service can use food-safe sanitizers that kill bacteria while keeping the space compliant with health and safety standards.
Restrooms: The Hygiene Hotspot
Restrooms are always a priority, but in the summer, higher usage combined with heat and humidity can make them prime breeding grounds for germs and odors.
For Businesses:
- Scrub and Disinfect: Thoroughly scrub and disinfect toilets, urinals, sinks, and fixtures.
- Deep-Clean Floors and Partitions: Use a commercial-grade sanitizer to deep-clean floors and partitions, ensuring all germs are killed.
- Increase Cleaning Frequency: In high-traffic facilities (especially in tourist-heavy cities), consider increasing your restroom cleaning schedule to multiple daily touch-ups.
For Homes:
- Deep Clean Showers and Tubs: Remove mold, mildew, and soap scum buildup.
- Sanitize Toilets and Sinks: Use a strong disinfectant to sanitize all surfaces.
- Wipe Down All Fixtures: Clean mirrors, light fixtures, and faucets to remove water spots and grime.
Pro Tip: Summer cleaning schedules for commercial restrooms often include multiple daily touch-ups to keep them odor-free and sanitary, an investment that pays off in client and employee satisfaction.
Outdoor Spaces and Exterior Cleaning: Boosting Curb Appeal
If your business or home has outdoor areas, they see more use in the summer. Patios, courtyards, or entrances can quickly become dirty, stained, or overrun with pests. Exterior cleaning is a crucial part of any summer cleaning checklist.
For Businesses:
- Sweep and Scrub Patios, Decks, or Courtyards: Clear away debris and scrub away stains from a season of use.
- Power Wash Exterior Walls and Walkways: Power washing is the most effective way to remove built-up mold, mildew, pollen, and grime from a building’s exterior. This is a must-do for a comprehensive commercial summer cleaning plan.
- Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Clear away leaves, dirt, and pollen that have accumulated over the past year to prevent water damage.
For Homes:
- Power Wash Siding and Driveways: Use a pressure washer to clean the exterior of your home, driveway, and sidewalks. This removes green algae and mildew that thrive in summer heat and humidity.
- Clean Outdoor Furniture: Wipe down patio tables and chairs to remove dust, pollen, and dirt.
- Check for Pest Nests: Remove any cobwebs, wasp nests, or other pest nests around entryways and under eaves.
Summer-Specific Cleaning Focus: Beyond the Basics
Some cleaning priorities are unique to summer. Here’s where businesses and homeowners can go the extra mile to ensure a truly healthy and comfortable environment.
Window Cleaning
Summer sunlight means smudges, streaks, and dust are more visible. Clean windows brighten workspaces and homes, improve employee and family mood, and project professionalism. Professional window cleaning services use specialized tools to get a streak-free finish that lasts.
HVAC Maintenance and Air Quality Control
Dust, pollen, and mold spores accumulate in vents and ducts, especially when the AC runs constantly. A dirty HVAC system spreads allergens and reduces efficiency. A crucial part of any summer cleaning checklist is to:
- Replace filters regularly.
- Clean vents, ducts, and diffusers.
- Inspect for mold and mildew.
A deep clean that includes professional air duct cleaning and upholstery cleaning can dramatically reduce allergens, leading to fewer allergy flare-ups and more productive days.
Pest Control
Summer heat and humidity can lead to an increase in pests like ants, spiders, and flies. A thorough summer cleaning that includes sealing cracks and removing food sources can act as a powerful form of pest prevention, reducing the need for harsh chemicals later.
The Value of Professional Summer Cleaning Services
Some businesses and homeowners rely on in-house staff or a DIY approach for summer cleaning—but there are major advantages to outsourcing this seasonal deep clean.
Deeper Clean with Commercial Equipment
Professional crews use industrial-grade vacuums, extractors, and cleaning solutions that outperform standard supplies. For example, a commercial-grade carpet extractor can remove grime and allergens that a household vacuum will simply leave behind.
Time & Resource Savings
For businesses, outsourcing commercial summer cleaning allows your employees to focus on their core roles. For homeowners, it saves valuable personal time that you can spend enjoying the summer. This avoids overtime, burnout, and wasted time.
Improved Health & Safety
Cleaner air, sanitized surfaces, and pest prevention all contribute to a healthier workplace and home. That means fewer sick days for employees and a more comfortable, hygienic environment for your family.
Enhanced Brand Image
A spotless facility reassures clients and visitors that your business is professional and detail-oriented. For a home, a clean exterior and interior can boost curb appeal and make your space more inviting for guests.
Customizable Cleaning Plans
Professional services can tailor their work around your schedule—after hours, on weekends, or during a business’s downtime—to avoid disruption.
Beat the Heat with Professional Summer Cleaning
Summer is more than just a season—it’s a test for your commercial facility and your home. Higher foot traffic, pollen, and heat-related issues can quickly make a space look unprofessional and feel uncomfortable.
With this comprehensive summer cleaning checklist, you can identify problem areas and prepare your business or home for success. And by investing in a professional cleaning partner, you’ll ensure deeper results, healthier air quality, and a facility that impresses clients and supports employees all summer long.
Ready to prepare your business or home for summer? Contact Business Cleaning Solutions today for a customized summer cleaning plan.