A Chelmsford Summer cleaning will make your home sparkle
Chelmsford Cleaners offers one-off seasonal deep cleans, taking care of the heavy lifting so you can enjoy more free time in the warmer weather, with family and friends. Whether it’s a spring or summer clean, Chelmsford Cleaners handles the inside of your home, while you can tackle your outdoor chores yourself to check off your external to-do list.
With summer on the horizon, now is the perfect time to address those outdoor cleaning tasks you’ve been putting off. A thorough summer clean will help extend the life of outdoor items like barbecues, lawn mowers, and patio furniture, while ensuring the exterior of your home looks pristine. Here are a few common summer chores to add to your to-do list:
Our Summer-Cleaning Top Tips
Washing patio furniture
To keep patio furniture looking bright, clean it with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water (you can also add a few drops of dish soap). This solution helps prevent dirt and pollen buildup, while also deterring insects.
Scrubbing windows and frames
Clean the windows both inside and out—wipe one side horizontally and the other vertically. This way, if you notice any streaks, you’ll know which side to touch up. Don’t forget to clean the shutters as well; start by dusting off any dirt or cobwebs before you begin.
Polishing doors and tracks
Remove dust, dirt, and cobwebs first. For any stubborn, caked-on grime, use a wide-blade screwdriver wrapped in a microfiber cloth to gently scrape it off. A solution of white vinegar and water works wonderfully to soften and lift tough dirt.
Washing the rubbish and compost bins
Bins should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to eliminate bacteria and germs. Start by rinsing off any loose debris with a garden hose. Then, apply some surgical spirit to a microfiber cloth and wipe down the bins, both inside and out. If the bins are stored indoors, we recommend cleaning them at least once a week. For outdoor bins, once a month should be sufficient.
Removing caked-on grass from the lawn mower
If you forgot to clean your lawn mower before putting it away last autumn, now is the perfect time to do so. A clean mower will perform better and cut grass more efficiently. Just be cautious when handling the blades, as they can be sharp and may cause injury.
Here’s how to clean it:
- Make sure the engine is off and the mower is cool. Unplug spark plugs or disengage any mechanism that helps to power the machine
- Use a stiff brush to dislodge dried grass from the air intake, cooling find, exhaust, oil and fuel filter caps and all cables and links
- If cleaning a petrol mower, protect your working area against possible fuel leakage. Then tip the mower and use a wide blade screwdriver wrapped in a microfibre cloth to scrap off caked-on grass and dirt from under the mower
- Spray bare metal areas with an aerosol lubricant to protect them from corrosion
Cleaning the garage and drive
Sweep the garage floor every few months to remove dirt and debris. Be sure to check for any spills, like oil or antifreeze, and absorb them with sand or cat litter. For your driveway, use a pressure washer to tackle any buildup of dirt or mud.
Insect and bird control
Keep an eye out for wasp, bee, or bird nests in any nooks or crannies around windows or doors. If you spot stinging insects, it’s best to contact pest control. For bird nests, try to work around them until the chicks have fledged and the nest is no longer in use.
Power washing the patio and fence
If your patio, deck, or fence is peeling or faded, give it a fresh look by scrubbing it with a power washer. Want to update your outdoor décor? Consider staining your deck or fence with a new color to give it a renewed, vibrant appearance.
Cleaning the barbecue
Take out all the racks and soak them in hot soapy water. Use white vinegar or a specialized cleaner to tackle any grease on the grill surfaces. Wipe down the inside of the barbecue thoroughly. To stay on top of maintenance this summer, use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the grill before and after each use.