Bright Summer Days and Clean, Tidy Homes: Here's How to Have Both!
Hello, summer lovers! If you’re like us you love this time of year – the sun-kissed skin, the ice creams that melt a bit too quickly and the warm evenings that turn into impromptu family parties. It’s the season when friends and family gather, enjoy vacations and make the most of the outdoors.
The only downfall? With everyone home (or, more appropriately, in and out of the home all day long), it’s easy for our tidy homes to become cluttered chaos. Don't fret! We’ve got your back (and your floors, and your countertops)!
So how do you keep a clean, orderly home in these joyful, but messy summer months? We’ve got some ideas that’ll turn a grueling task into a (summer) breeze!
Tip 1: Establish an Outdoor-to-Indoor Transition Zone
With summer adventures come grass stains, sand, and dirt, which we often unknowingly track into the house. To combat this, create a transition zone just outside your door. This can include a rugged doormat for shoe-wiping and a shoe rack for temporary storage. This way, you can nip the dirt in the bud before it infiltrates your clean indoor space.
Tip 2: A Place for Everything, and Everything in its Place
Summer means more items to juggle – beach toys, gardening tools, barbecue utensils, you name it! One word - organization! Use baskets, bins or garage shelving and hooks to keep these seasonal items neat and organized. Assign a designated spot for beach/pool gear, sporting equipment, picnic supplies – anything you use for regular summer fun – so you can keep your entryway (or kitchen counter!) clear of seasonal clutter.
Tip 3: Regular Dusting and Vacuuming
Summer brings more footfall, which means more dust and allergens. Make dusting and vacuuming part of your daily routine to keep things tidy. If you’ve got a stack of Geometry’s Not Paper Towels on hand, you’re already ahead of the game! Dampen them with water and you’ve got cleaning power always at the ready. Bonus: these babies leave a streak-free shine on your windows so you can continue enjoying that summer sunshine even when you’re inside.
Tip 4: Embrace the Power of Routines
With all the fun and frolic, having a cleaning schedule might sound a bit dull, but trust us, it’s a lifesaver! A regular light cleaning routine prevents the accumulation of dirt and clutter. Assign everyone in the house a particular task, making the process quicker and (hopefully) a little more fun. The upside? Kids will enjoy time spent together on a shared task and come to realize they enjoy seeing their little accomplishments making a big difference!
Tip 5: Refresh Your Spaces
Summer is the perfect time to declutter and refresh your spaces. Swap out those heavy winter drapes with light, airy curtains, and place some pops of summer colors and themes in your kitchen and bathrooms with our most vibrant prints from our Summer Collection. (Hot tip: Botanical Burst is sure to channel the summer vibes all season long.)
Tip 6: Organize the Outdoors
Your yard and patio can become a hot spot for dirt and clutter during the summer. Keep your outdoor spaces as tidy as your indoor ones by using storage solutions for yard toys, outdoor grilling equipment, etc. Keep beach/pool towels nicely stowed either in a weather-proof container outside (outdoor ottomans with storage work perfectly for this!) or in a closet close to your back/patio door.
Tip 7: Opt for Easy-to-Clean Materials
Summer means more activities, more mess – and consequently, more cleaning. Opt for easy-to-clean materials for your kitchenware, furniture covers and floor mats. Vinyl, microfiber, and cotton are all excellent choices as they can handle frequent cleaning without losing their charm. Our favorite? Any Geometry product, of course! Our towels are created for ultimate performance and top-notch drying time, so they’re as easy to keep clean as they are on the eyes!
Tip 8: Summer-Proof Your Living Room
With everyone home, your living room is bound to witness increased footfall. Make it summer-ready by removing heavy rugs and replacing them with a light, easy-to-clean kind instead. Swap out dark cushion covers with bright, summery ones that are machine-washable. This way, you're not only embracing the summer vibes but also ensuring an easy cleanup.
Tip 9: Maintain a Strict Laundry Routine
Summer usually means more laundry: think beach towels, swimming suits, picnic blankets – they pile up faster than you think! Having a regular laundry routine ensures these items don't contribute to the clutter – or overwhelm you as they start to pile up! Create organized hampers so you know where to look for anything when it’s (inevitably) in demand.
We get it! Keeping your home clean and orderly during summer seems a little daunting. But with a little planning, organization and some family member involvement, it can become a manageable and even fun task. So go ahead, enjoy your summer adventures, and come back to a neat, tidy home – it’s a win-win! Happy summer, everyone!
