The Essential Cleaning Tasks to Tackle Before Summer Officially Starts

While spring cleaning often gets the spotlight, a dedicated pre-summer refresh can make the warm-weather season significantly more enjoyable. Unlike the latter—which tends to focus on deep cleaning and decluttering after winter—a pre-summer cleaning routine is about preparing your home for how you'll actually live in it over the coming months. Think outdoor entertaining, family gatherings, weekend cookouts, and long days spent moving between indoor and outdoor spaces.

"A pre-summer cleaning checklist should be focused more on preparing your home for the activities, gatherings, and hosting you'll likely be doing in the coming months," says cleaning expert Vanessa Garcia, a professional Tasker on Taskrabbit. "It's about getting your spaces ready to be enjoyed and used more frequently, both indoors and outdoors."

Before summer officially arrives, prioritize these often-overlooked areas.

Outdoor Furniture

Your patio furniture has spent months collecting dust, winter grime, and springtime pollen, so pay it some attention. "I recommend prioritizing outdoor furniture," says Garcia. "Many people neglect their outdoor spaces during the winter months, so washing cushion covers and thoroughly cleaning outdoor furniture should be at the top of the list."

Clean cushions, wipe down tables and chairs, and inspect furniture for any needed repairs before peak entertaining season begins.

Your Grill or Barbecue Area

For many households, summer officially begins the moment the grill is fired up. "The barbecue area, if you have one," says Garcia, is among the most important places to clean before the season starts. "Barbecues tend to get a lot of use during the summer, especially with outdoor gatherings and cookouts."

Before your first burger or vegetable skewer hits the grill, give the entire area a thorough cleaning. Remove debris, wipe down and degrease surrounding surfaces, and inspect the appliance for any maintenance needs. Garcia emphasizes following the manufacturer's instructions when cleaning grills and outdoor cooking equipment. Different models require different care methods, and using the wrong products can potentially damage components.

The Ice Maker

One of the most overlooked summer cleaning tasks pertains to one of the most frequently used appliances once temperatures rise: Your kitchen's ice maker. "It's something many people use more frequently during the summer, but often forget to clean before the season starts," Garcia says.

Whether you have a standalone ice maker or one built into your refrigerator, cleaning it before summer can help ensure fresh-tasting ice for cold drinks, entertaining, and everyday use.

Kitchen and Bathroom Exhaust Vents

Hidden out of sight, vents may go untouched for months, leading to maintenance issues. Garcia recommends cleaning exhaust vents in both bathrooms and kitchens before summer arrives, as dust and buildup can accumulate over time. Not only can cleaner vents improve airflow, but they may also help HVAC systems manage moisture and humidity more effectively throughout the warmer months.

Areas Prone to Mildew

Summer humidity can quickly turn a small moisture issue into a larger (and expensive) problem. "Check for mildew around the home before summer humidity kicks in," Garcia says. Inspect bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, window frames, and other moisture-prone areas for signs of mildew or mold growth. Addressing issues now can help prevent them from worsening as temperatures and humidity levels climb.

Seasonal Storage Areas

The transition from winter to summer presents the perfect opportunity to tackle seasonal storage. According to Garcia, storage bins are frequently overlooked despite being actively used during seasonal swaps. As you pull out summer essentials, take a few extra minutes to wipe down storage containers, reorganize shelves, and donate items you no longer need.

The Garage

"Summer often means spending more time outdoors and grabbing sports equipment, tools, and other seasonal items," Garcia says. Garages often become catch-all spaces for these items throughout the year, so it’s likely due for a tidy. 

Organizing the garage before summer makes outdoor activities easier and helps ensure seasonal gear is accessible when you need it. "I personally love a good garage cleanup,” Garcia adds. “The before-and-after transformations are incredible."

Air Purifiers

You'll probably have already refreshed your AC, but before summer allergies, pollen, and humidity arrive in full force, don't forget to look at your air purifiers. "Don't forget about air purifiers," Garcia says. "Cleaning or replacing the filters before summer can help keep your home's air fresh and running efficiently throughout the season." A clean filter helps the unit perform at its best and can contribute to better indoor air quality during months when windows and doors may be opening more frequently, and pollen is floating about.