June is the best time of year to open the windows and doors and let fresh air and bright sunlight flood our home. However, all this natural light shows up a lot of dust and dirt that may have been missed during spring. It's also, unfortunately, prime time for pollen and pests to infiltrate our homes.
Even if we have just finished our spring cleaning efforts, there is always work to be done to keep our homes in top shape month after month, with June offering the perfect conditions to deal with some of the lesser-done tasks, such as shampooing carpets, cleaning windows, and tackling trash cans.
Here, professional cleaners share their cleaning tips on what they always recommend ticking off this month, to stay on top of mess and prevent allergies and pests from ruining your summer.
7 things to clean in June
1. Air filters and window screens
We usually associate efforts to cut energy bills with the winter months. But, there are plenty of things to do in summer to keep costs low – including maintaining your AC unit and keeping pollen out of your home.
Andriy Neborak, Founder & CEO of Luxury Cleaning NY, says, ‘In June, with our windows open more, it is important to keep your air filtration system running at peak levels. Dirty air filters can harbor allergens such as pollen, mold, and dust. If your filter is clogged, it increases the risk of introducing these allergens into your house, which can exacerbate allergies or asthma and increase running costs.
‘According to a study published in the Journal of Indoor Environment, switching out air filters can decrease allergy symptoms by up to 40%. Cleaning window screens will also improve flow and remove unwanted pollen or debris that may have accumulated over the winter.’
To clean your windows, Brian Anderson, owner and operator at Fish Window Cleaning, advises, 'Use a microfiber cloth or squeegee with a streak-free cleaning solution. A mix of distilled water and white vinegar works well.' Alternatively, use a dish soap solution for streak-free windows.'
We like the Hiware All-Purpose Shower Squeegee for Shower Doors available at Amazon. It comes in four colors to match any other hardware in your home, and has an adhesive pad to help it store easily on a cabinet door or wall when not in use.
'For outdoor windows, especially on upper storeys, consider hiring a professional window cleaning service to ensure safety and spotless results,' adds Brian. You can also use a magnetic window cleaning tool, like this Magnetic Window Cleaner Tool, available at Amazon. Don’t forget about cleaning window tracks at the same time, with a crevice tool such as the SXhyf Crevice Cleaning Brush, also available at Amazon.
2. Closets and seasonal storage
If you are in the process of decluttering in June, then it is the perfect time to clean your closet and other seasonal storage spots around your home, says Yessica Bello, cleaning expert with Bello’s Cleaning.
‘This reduces accumulated dust and allows for better ventilation, preventing mold and mildew growth in humid summer months,' she advises. 'Organizing in June also frees up space for summer essentials, making daily routines more efficient.’
Even just a quick wipe with an all-purpose cleaning spray, such as the Seventh Generation Multi Surface All Purpose Cleaning Spray available at Walmart, and a microfiber cloth can work wonders. You can also use your best handheld vacuum for corners and crevices. Our top pick is the BLACK+DECKER Cordless Handheld Vacuum, available at Amazon.
It's also a good time to spot if any moths have set up home as doing a closet clean will involve moving your clothes and therefore, will send moths into the air and alert you to any hidden pest problem. Hanging cedar blocks, available from Amazon, are a natural and effective moth repellent.
3. High-traffic floors
With guests coming and going over the warmer months, the increase in foot traffic can take a toll on your floors, says Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids.
Therefore, he recommends, 'If you haven’t done so in the past year, get your carpets deep cleaned. I suggest getting a house cleaning service for this, because they have all the equipment and proper techniques to deep clean carpets, which can get really nasty, especially if you're striving to keep a clean home with pets.
'If you’re doing this on your own, I strongly recommend using an upholstery/carpet cleaner, like the BISSELL® Little Green® Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner available at Amazon, which really gets the dirt out of the fibers instead of just vacuuming the superficial dust like a generic vacuum cleaner.'
You can also clean a carpet without a machine, with some more budget-friendly carpet cleaning tips. For example, why not try cleaning a carpet with baking soda? You can alternatively rent this cleaning tool and do the job yourself over a weekend.
Removing accumulated dirt will also prevent musty odors to make a home smell nice for summer.
4. Patios and outdoor furniture
Warmer weather also means al-fresco hosting, too, so it's important your outdoor area is also ready for guests. So, before peak hosting season hits, make sure to tackle all your outdoor cleaning tasks, says Forrest Webber, owner at Bear Brothers Cleaning, like cleaning and sealing outdoor surfaces.
'Pressure washing patios, decks, and driveways, followed by resealing if needed, helps protect surfaces from summer heat and wear,' he explains. We recommend the Low Gloss Patio Paver Sealer available at Amazon for this.
Don't forget to clean outdoor furniture, too. 'Freshen up seating for safe, enjoyable summer gatherings,' adds Forrest. Taking the time to clean mold off outdoor cushions will also quickly refresh your outdoor seating.
5. Trash cans
As Lexi Brown, cleaning expert at True Fresh, points out, June is also the perfect time to clean your trash can.
She explains, 'Higher temperatures increase odors as well as bacteria. Cleaning your bins for trash and recycling helps to avoid foul odor and subsequent pest issues.'
This will also ensure you're actually dealing with bacteria, not just masking trash can smells. Therefore, using a disinfectant such as the Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner available at Amazon is the most important step.
6. Baseboards and corners
As Victor Sevilla, administrative manager at Captain Duster, explains, baseboards and corners are magnets for dust, pet hair, and allergens, especially in humid weather.
'A deep clean here helps your home feel fresher and healthier,' he assures.
To clean your baseboards, we recommend using the Qaestfy Wall & Skirting Board Cleaner Mop Tool available at Amazon, or cleaning with a Magic Eraser. You can even use a dryer sheet hack to speed clean baseboards, too, if you're in a rush and need to clean a house fast.
7. Mattresses
Finally, Alessandro Gazzo, cleaning expert at Emily's Maids, recommends cleaning your mattress in June.
He explains, 'Because of the sweat, the dandruff, and the heat from our bodies, besides the regular dust and dirt on our clothes, we need to clean and sanitize our mattress, which most people never do, by the way. People get really bad allergies in June, and our bed is a huge breeding ground for bacteria and mites.
'Three to four times a year (at least), you should deep clean your mattress, which you can do with a mattress vacuum cleaner like the FEPPO Mattress Vacuum Cleaner available at Amazon. Standard mattress cleaners come with UV light to help you kill bacteria and a HEPA filter to absorb microscopic dust as they vacuum.'
Don't forget about cleaning your mattress topper, too, where applicable, as neglecting to do so is one of the main mattress cleaning mistakes to avoid.
You can also steam clean a mattress, which is quick and fuss-free. We recommend using the bestselling Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner available at Walmart for this, however, steam cleaning shouldn't be used on memory foam mattresses as it can warp or damage the material.
June cleaning essentials
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
We love this reusable Damp Duster for removing dust on baseboards, beds, and bins, which uses only water to clean effectively.
This budget-pick handheld vacuum features a compact design and rotating slim nozzle, with a pull-out crevice tool for cracks and corners.
This durable Magic Eraser is a popular pick for cleaning over 100 different messes, with 80% less scrubbing required.
FAQs
What is ‘Summer Cleaning’?
Summer cleaning is the time to stay on top of all the tasks you completed during your spring cleaning. With most areas in your home reset back to square one with little dust or dirt build-up, it is important to start a good summer cleaning schedule to stay on top of things, so that they do not become overwhelming again, and your hard work is not undone.
Can I spring clean in June?
Although spring cleaning is usually tackled at the start of spring, in late April and early May, it can still be done throughout June if breaking up tasks is easier for you. For example, you might be someone who benefits from adaptive pacing when cleaning to help you better manage chronic pain, fatigue, or illness.
Try to get the bulk of the heavy work done before the weather gets too hot, however, to make it easier on your body.
Meet our experts
Try working these tasks into your regular cleaning and weekly organizing schedule so they do not feel like too much extra work. Spreading the tasks over a few days or weeks can make them feel less overwhelming.
It's a great time to also take a look at cleaning your patio if this hasn't been on your radar yet this year.
