End-of-Summer Deep Clean: How to Freshen Up Your Home Before Autumn

Why summer shows in a home more than winter does

In summer a home simply gets used differently. Mornings and evenings are for airing out, balcony doors stand open more often, and we spend far more time outside — on the terrace, in the garden, at the playground with the children. All of it comes back indoors on soles and clothing: dust from dry paths, cut grass, pollen. People walk barefoot, the air conditioner runs for days on end, and far more fruit, vegetables and drinks pass through the fridge than in winter.

The catch is that you rarely see any of it at a glance. The place looks tidy, while the dirt sits where you never look during the week — in the slats of the blinds, in the AC filter, between the fibres of the rug, on top of the wardrobe.

Five spots that need the most attention after summer

1. Windows and shades

Pollen and summer rain leave a greyish film on the glass that you barely notice while the sun is high. It shows in September, when the days shorten and less light reaches the room.

How to tackle it: vacuum the dry dust off blinds and shades first, and only then wipe them with a damp cloth. Go straight in with a wet cloth and the dust turns to mud that works its way into the edges of the slats — and there is twice as much work.

2. Air conditioning and ventilation

Filters that have run almost non-stop since May are full of dust and moisture. It shows in the air quality, in energy use, and in the smell that hits you the first time you switch the unit on.

How to tackle it: wash the filter in lukewarm water and let it dry completely before putting it back. A damp filter is the most common reason for a musty smell from an air conditioner — and something worth sorting before the heating season rather than during it.

3. Entryway, terrace and balcony

Grit and small stones carried in on shoes act like fine sandpaper on parquet and laminate. Every step grinds them deeper into the surface.

How to tackle it: start outside, not indoors. A swept terrace and a doormat you actually shake out will noticeably cut the amount of dirt that makes it inside at all.

4. Floors and rugs

The fine particles you bring in over the summer settle deep between the fibres. A vacuum will not pull them out in a single pass, so a rug can still look clean when it is not.

How to tackle it: vacuum rugs slowly and in two directions, crossing one over the other. Whatever survives that needs deep cleaning.

5. Kitchen and fridge

Stains and odours build up faster in summer than at any other time of year — most often on the shelves and in the drawers you never take out when wiping down.

How to tackle it: take the shelves and drawers out and wash them separately, in lukewarm water with a spoonful of baking soda. Avoid harsh cleaners around food — their smell lingers in a fridge longer than the dirt you removed.

The right order: from the top down

The most common mistake is starting with the floors. Dust then falls from shelves, light fittings and cupboards onto a surface you have already cleaned — and you can do the floors all over again. This order saves you that:

1. Ceilings, light fittings, tops of cupboards and shelves — anything above eye level.
2. Windows, frames and shades — dry first, then damp.
3. Kitchen and bathroom — limescale and grease need time. Apply the product and let it work while you carry on elsewhere.
4. Furniture and textiles — curtains, cushions, rugs.
5. Floors — always last. A thorough vacuum first, only then a wet clean.
6. Frequently touched surfaces — handles, switches, remotes. It takes five minutes and pays off above all during cold season.

And the one thing most often forgotten: check the air conditioning and ventilation before the heating season starts.

When it is worth calling us

If, while planning, you work out that a thorough clean would take a whole weekend — or two — that is usually a sign professional help pays for itself. The same goes for homes with delicate materials: natural stone, solid wood and designer furniture need different products from ordinary surfaces, and the wrong choice causes damage that no amount of cleaning will undo.

Our team completes a deep clean in a single visit, with our own equipment and products chosen for each surface. Every week we clean more than 160 building entrances, along with flats and business premises — which is why our order of work and our methods are well honed. We take the same thorough approach to cleaning after renovation or construction work, and for the most demanding homes there is our Prestige cleaning.

Autumn slots fill up first

September and October are among the busiest months of the year — households and businesses prepare for the new season at the same time. If you want the clean done on a particular day, it is worth arranging the appointment now rather than in September.

Ready for an autumn refresh of your home? Submit your deep-cleaning inquiry here.