These 16 Summer Cleaning Tips Will Change Your Life

Since warmer weather practically sends bugs, mold, and mildew a VIP invitation to invade, summer is a prime season to deep clean your home — both indoors and out. But don't let a long to-do list deter or intimidate you. We've curated some of our best, all-natural summer cleaning tips that will simplify the process and act as good reminders for sprucing up areas that sometimes get neglected such as your outdoor trash cans, window screens, or your grill.

Between picnics, tailgating, camping, fishing, and cookouts, if your cooler isn't in need of some serious scrubbing by mid-July, are you even doing summer correctly? Here's how to remove stains and smells, plus eliminate mold and mildew in between outdoor excursions.

It's estimated that 1,700 Americans visited an emergency room between 2002 and 2014 after having ingested wire bristles in grilled food, according to a study published in 2016. Ditch the potential hazard and try one of four alternative cleaning methods instead.

It's possible that there's no other summer task on our list more neglected than this one, which also means it will feel the most gratifying once you're done.

Don't spend your money on new decor when you could just as easily make your dingy patio cushions look as good as the day you bought 'em with a few simple steps.

The horrible irony of washing machines is that they can often do more harm to your clothes than good, especially something delicate like a bathing suit. Our washing method prevents stretching, elastic wear, and shrinkage.

The best part about prepping your kitchen and pantry to keep out summer pests is that it gives you a great excuse to make your cupboards Pinterest-worthy.

Proper window screen maintenance is essential to keep them from rusting, which can also lead to tearing further down the line. Use our easy washing method twice a year to prevent this from happening.

With all of those snack-filled trips to the beach this summer, chances are your kid's carseat has taken a proper beating and could use a decent scrub down.

Produce that's clean and chemical-free is much easier to achieve than you might think. Simply wash seasonal fruits and veggies with our two-ingredient wash before preparing.

Though mold and mildew can grow year-round, in any climate, mold growth is especially encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Here's how to kill mold, indoor or out, using vodka.

Okay, we admit, this is should be a year-round task, so consider this one your friendly eHow summer reminder to disinfect your kid's toys the simplest, most natural way possible.

If you've got a pool at home and some kids who love to utilize it during the summertime, chances are you've got some dripping wet feet trekking into the kitchen or bathroom from time to time. Here's how to keep wood and laminate floors clean and dry — no warping here.

This tutorial shows how to wash your bed sheets properly based on the material, and also how often.

There's nothing quite like driving on the open road during summer vacation. Don't forget to set yourself up with a full tank of fresh windshield washer fluid before you go!

This one is not only great during the summer when fleas and ticks are the most prevalent, our DIY repellent also makes the perfect solution if your pet has sensitive skin or you'd simply prefer a chemical-free option.

Open windows are essential during the summer when going without AC, but boy does that dirt and dust roll in! Even screens are no match for tiny dust particles that infiltrate and attach themselves to your wood blinds. Here's the easiest way to clean them.