Summer House Cleaning Tips: The Old-School Way to a Fresh and Clean Home

Need some old-school summer house cleaning tips?

The East End of Long Island is known for its charming summer homes, beautiful beaches, and peaceful escape from city life. This beautiful season invites us outdoors with trips to the beach and exploring local parks.   And with that comes extra sand and dirt brought into the house, necessitating extra care and attention when cleaning your summer retreat.

When cleaning your summer home, you might want to avoid complicated and expensive cleaning products; instead, opt for old-school, effective methods using simple and natural products readily available in your pantry or garden. These natural cleaners perform well and leave your home with a fresh and pleasant scent. So, let’s dig into some of the methods your Grandmother used!

Summer House Cleaning Tips for Your Long Island Home

1. Vinegar for Sparkling Surfaces

Windows and Glass: White vinegar is a powerhouse used in cleaning supplies. Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz your windows and mirrors, then wipe with a microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine.

Countertops and Appliances: For greasy countertops and stained stainless steel appliances, apply the vinegar solution and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Avoid using vinegar on natural stone and other delicate surfaces like marble or granite to prevent damage.

2. Baking Soda for Freshness

Deodorizing Carpets and Rugs: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs to neutralize odors. Leave it on for at least 15 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner.

Bathroom Fixtures: To tackle grime on bathroom fixtures like sinks, tubs, and tiles, make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the cleaning areas, scrub with a brush or sponge, and rinse well. This method helps to remove soap scum and hard water deposits without harsh chemicals.

3. Lemon and Essential Oils for a Fresh Scent

Cutting Boards: Rub a halved lemon over the cutting boards to clean and deodorize. The natural acidity of lemons acts as a natural bleaching agent, helping to eliminate bacteria and odors.

Microwave: Place lemon slices in a bowl of water and microwave for a few minutes. The steam will loosen grime, making it easy to wipe clean, and it will leave a pleasant scent.

Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal: To keep your dishwasher and garbage disposal smelling fresh, place a few lemon slices in the bottom of the dishwasher or grind them in the garbage disposal. The lemon’s natural acidity helps break down residue and leaves a lovely scent.

Air Freshener: Create your air freshener by mixing water, several drops of your favorite essential oils, and baking soda in a spray bottle. Spritz around your home for a natural scent without synthetic chemicals.

Floors: Add a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or tea tree oil, to your mop water to leave your floors smelling fresh and clean. Essential oils add a lovely fragrance and also can provide some antimicrobial properties.

4. Olive Oil for Polishing

Wooden Furniture: Mix olive oil and lemon juice in equal parts. Apply this solution with a soft cloth to protect and polish wood furniture, enhancing its natural luster.

5. Salt for Stain Removal

Red Wine Stain Remover: For fresh red wine stains on fabric or carpet, sprinkle salt to absorb the liquid. After a few hours, vacuum the salt, and the stain should be lighter or completely gone.

Oven Spills: Sprinkle salt on warm spills in the oven. Once the oven cools, you can wipe up the mess easily with a clean cloth.

6. Dental Floss for Hard-to-Reach Spaces

Kitchen Appliances: Use dental floss to clean small crevices in kitchen appliances, such as the edges around the oven, sink, or dishwasher. It can reach areas that are often missed by larger cleaning tools.

Vent Covers: Run dental floss through the slats of vent covers to remove accumulated dust and grime. This method ensures thorough cleaning of these often-overlooked areas.

7. Dryer Sheets for Quick Touch-Ups

Baseboards: Run a dryer sheet along the baseboards to pick up dust and prevent static buildup quickly. This trick leaves your home smelling fresh in no time.

Blinds: Wipe down blinds with a dryer sheet to remove dust and help repel buildup. It’s a simple solution to a tedious chore.

8. Old Newspapers for Window Cleaning

Streak-Free Windows with a Natural Glass Cleaner: Use crumpled newspapers to polish the glass after applying your vinegar solution. This method leaves windows streak-free and sparkling.

9. Castile Soap for a Gentle Clean

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix castile soap with water to create an effective all-purpose cleaner suitable for most surfaces in your home.

Hand Soap: You can also use castile soap to make natural hand soap that’s gentle on the skin. Mix 1 cup distilled water, 1/4 cup liquid castile soap, 1 tbsp fractionated coconut oil, and 15 drops of your choice of essential oils.

10. Toothpaste for Small Scratches

Polishing Silverware: Non-gel toothpaste works wonders on tarnished silverware. Apply a small amount, rub gently, and rinse for a polished finish.

Removing Scratches: Use toothpaste to remove minor scratches from glass and plastic surfaces. Apply, rub, and wipe clean for a smoother appearance.

11. Hydrogen Peroxide for Mold Removal

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective solution for tackling mold and mildew in showers and bathrooms. Its antifungal properties make it ideal for killing mold spores and preventing regrowth. Here’s how you can use it effectively:

Shower Tiles and Grout: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide (3%) and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto moldy areas of shower tiles and grout. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to penetrate the mold. Scrub the area with a brush to remove the mold, then rinse thoroughly with water. Repeat if necessary for stubborn mold stains.

12. Tea for Wood Floors

Wood Floor Cleaner: Brewed tea is excellent for cleaning and enhancing the shine of wooden floors. Mop the cooled tea over the floors to bring out their natural beauty and color.

Wrapping Up Timeless Tips for a Pristine Summer Home

Old-school cleaning methods bring a sense of nostalgia and are incredibly practical and sustainable. These trusted summer house cleaning tips and techniques will keep your summer home immaculate.

For a deep cleaning without lifting a finger, contact us today for professional cleaning services and enjoy a pristine summer retreat on Long Island.