Summer House Cleaning Tips for Hot Texas Days

That Cleaning Girl · House Cleaning

Summer in North Texas is long and hot, and it changes how a house gets dirty. Kids are home, the AC never stops, lake and pool towels pile up, and the bugs want inside where it's cool. If you've just dealt with How to Get Red Clay Mud Out of Carpet and Off Floors, summer is the opposite problem: dry, dusty and busy. Here's how to keep things manageable when it's triple digits outside.

Clean in the cool hours

When it's hot outside, the house works harder too. Run the oven, dryer and dishwasher in the evening or early morning, when the AC isn't fighting the afternoon heat. Do bigger cleaning jobs then as well. You'll be more comfortable, and you won't heat up the house in the middle of the day.

Keep blinds and curtains closed on sunny windows during the afternoon. It keeps the house cooler and slows down fading on floors and furniture.

Stay on top of the AC filter

Your AC runs nearly nonstop in a Texas summer, which means your air filter fills up faster than at any other time of year. A dirty filter makes the system work harder and lets more dust circulate through the house.

• Check the filter monthly from late spring through early fall.
• Replace it when it looks gray or clogged, or as the manufacturer recommends.
• Vacuum vent covers and air returns while you're at it.
• Keep furniture and curtains from blocking vents.

A clean filter also means less dust on your furniture, so you dust less.

Keep bugs out of the kitchen

Heat drives ants, roaches and other pests indoors looking for food and water. Good cleaning habits are your best defense:

• Wipe counters and the stovetop every night so there are no crumbs or sticky spots.
• Don't leave dishes in the sink overnight.
• Store pantry foods like cereal and flour in sealed containers.
• Take the kitchen trash out every evening and keep the can clean.
• Wipe up pet food spills, and don't leave pet food out all day.
• Fix leaky faucets and dry the sink before bed. Pests need water as much as food.

Pool, lake and sprinkler season

Summer means wet towels, sandy flip-flops and swimsuits dripping on the floor.

• Set up a "wet zone" near the back door with hooks for towels and a bin for pool toys and shoes.
• Hang wet towels to dry right away. Towels left in a damp pile start to smell quickly.
• Wash swimsuits and towels in cool water, and dry them completely.
• Keep a mat and an old towel at the door for wet feet.
• After lake weekends, shake out bags and coolers outside before bringing them in.

Sand and lake grit work their way into carpet and grout, so a quick vacuum after a beach or lake day keeps it from spreading.

Watch for humidity and mildew

Even in hot, dry weather, bathrooms and laundry rooms can stay damp. Run the exhaust fan during and after showers, and leave the shower door or curtain open so it dries. Wipe down the shower once a week and keep the washer door open between loads so it doesn't get musty. Check under sinks for any slow leaks, since summer is when mildew grows fastest in damp, dark spots.

Kids home all day

Summer break means more snacks, more friends over, more dishes and more bathroom use. A few habits help:

• Give kids simple daily chores, like emptying trash cans or wiping the bathroom sink.
• Do a quick five-minute pickup before dinner every day.
• Keep a snack zone with a washable mat.
• Wipe high-touch surfaces like door handles and the fridge more often.
• Run the dishwasher every night, even if it isn't full.

It won't stay perfect, but it'll stay livable.

Outdoor living spaces

Patios and porches get a lot of use in summer evenings. Sweep them regularly, hose off outdoor furniture and wipe down tables before meals. Shake out outdoor rugs. Clean the grill after each use while it's still warm. Keeping the outdoor area clean also cuts down on how much dirt and dust gets tracked inside.

Make summer easier on yourself

The key to summer cleaning is small, daily habits instead of big weekend sessions in the heat. Keep the kitchen tight, the filters fresh and the wet stuff in its own zone. Families across Mansfield, Midlothian and the rest of the south DFW area often add regular visits during summer, when kids are home and schedules are packed. See what our house cleaning services include.