This post is your guide to a simple cleaning routine to keep your home summer-ready.
Summer feels like hitting the refresh button on your home. The windows are open, the days are longer, and suddenly all that extra sunlight starts highlighting things you’d rather ignore—like the dust on your ceiling fan or the mystery smudge on your windows.
If you’re craving that clean, breezy, effortless summer feel but don’t want to spend your weekends deep-cleaning, I’ve got you covered.
This simple cleaning routine is designed to keep your home sparkling all season long, without making you feel like you’re having to clean 24/7.
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Why a Summer Cleaning Routine Actually Matters
During the summer, your home sees more action—more guests, more trips in and out with sandy feet or grass-stained sneakers, and definitely more opportunities for clutter to sneak in.
Instead of waiting for the chaos to build, having a light, consistent routine keeps everything feeling put-together with minimal effort.
Think of it as the low-maintenance way to keep your space fresh—like a no-makeup-makeup look, but for your house.
Your Weekly Summer Home Cleaning Routine
Let’s walk through a weekly rhythm that’s easy to follow and doesn’t take more than 20–30 minutes a day. The goal? To maintain, not obsess.
Two of my non-negotiables not included in the schedule below but are everyday musts are the dishes & taking out the trash!
Make sure to load that dishwasher every night and unload in the morning. If you’re not doing this already, try doing this 3 days in a row and it will then almost feel second-nature!
The last thing you want is those pesky roaches throwing night parties in your kitchen!!
And I think that taking out the trash should be a no-brainer. If you want your house to also smell clean, you shouldn’t have yesterday’s trash hanging around.
Monday
Start the week by resetting your common areas on Monday. Wipe down the kitchen counters, give your dining table a quick clean, and run a vacuum or Swiffer through the living room.
Fluff your throw pillows and toss any lingering clutter into its proper place.
While you’re resetting the common areas, toss in a load of bathroom towels and kitchen rags. These build up bacteria quickly in the summer heat, so starting the week with fresh ones feels like a small luxury.
To make it feel a little more special, light a fresh citrus or linen-scented candle when you’re done.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, give your bathrooms a little love. Wipe down the countertops and mirrors, scrub the sinks, and freshen up the toilet.
Swap out the hand towels if they’re looking tired, and empty the trash if needed. I like to keep disinfecting wipes under the sink for quick mid-week touch-ups—super convenient and saves time later.
Don’t forget to fold & put away those towels and rags from yesterday!
Wednesday
Wednesday is for the details—dusting and those sneaky surfaces we always forget about. Give your ceiling fans a quick wipe, dust your baseboards and shelves, and clean off your light switches and door handles (seriously, they collect way more grime than you’d think).
If you’ve got houseplants, wipe down their leaves or spritz them with a little water mist while you’re at it. Tackling these items will feel less tasking if you’re playing your favorite podcast or a feel-good playlist in the background.
If you have kids, you can sort and throw a load or two in the laundry. Let’s be honest, we’re lucky if the loads get dried in the same day. The folding & putting away can wait until tomorrow.
Thursday
Thursday is all about the bedrooms. If your bed’s been a little neglected this week (no judgment), give it a proper fluff. Dust your nightstands and dressers, run a vacuum around the room, and swap your sheets if they’re due for a refresh.
This is a great time to strip the beds and swap out sheets—especially if you or your family tend to sweat at night. You can wash throw blankets or pillow covers too, especially the ones in high-traffic living areas.
For summer, I love switching to lightweight cotton or linen bedding—it instantly makes the space feel cooler and more breathable.
Friday
By Friday, focus on the entryway and your floors. Vacuum and mop the entry area and kitchen, shake out any rugs or doormats, and tidy up the usual suspects: shoes, bags, keys.
Your entry sets the tone for the entire home, and giving it a quick once-over before the weekend makes everything feel more welcoming—especially if you’re hosting.
While you’re tidying the entryway and floors, start a load (or two) of remaining dirty clothes so you’re not slammed with laundry over the weekend.
Weekend
It’s totally up to you how to spend your weekend but if you don’t want to feel overwhelmed the coming week, you can aim to knock out any lingering items or just dedicate on finishing this week’s laundry.
Good Practice is Once or Twice a Month
Over the weekend, give yourself the option to tackle one “deep clean” task—but don’t overdo it.
Choose one project that feels manageable: maybe it’s cleaning out the fridge, scrubbing bathroom tubs, washing the windows, organizing a single drawer, or running a cleaning cycle on your dishwasher. No pressure—this is more about maintenance than perfection.
My Go-To Cleaning Tools (Because You Don’t Need 30)
When it comes to tools, I keep things simple.
These are my most used cleaning items but ultimately you know what works best for your household:
- A set of microfiber cloths – you can get this set of 12 for under $10! 506EB3
- Good all-purpose cleaner (preferably something that smells like lemon or grapefruit!) I’m a big fan of this lemon scent cleaner by Mrs. Meyers!
- Disinfecting wipes for fast cleanups
- A cordless vacuum for convenience. The Dyson Cordless Vacuum is definitely an investment but this affordable alternative also has amazing reviews!
- A steam mop that makes my floors look brand new with zero chemicals! Trust me when I say you can’t go wrong with a Shark steam mop!
A Good Cleaning Schedule is Your Best Friend
Keeping your home clean for summer doesn’t mean scrubbing baseboards in a sundress every weekend.
It’s about staying on top of the small things before they turn into chaos. A little daily attention goes a long way—and you get to enjoy the sunshine with the peace of knowing your space looks as good as it feels.
So tell me, what’s the one room in your home that could use a summer reset right now?
