Introduction: Summer heat brings dry air and rapid bacterial growth. Diligent housewives should take action now to protect their homes and families this summer. Clean appliances, maintain furniture, dust, and sweep the kitchen and bathroom... and more. Shake off the mess and become a perfect housewife. These summer home cleaning and maintenance tips will help you clean up.

Part 1: Master the key points of cleaning household appliances in summer

Key Point 1 – Air Conditioning

In the hot summer, air conditioners are important appliances that are indispensable to people's home life. For air conditioners that have been idle for a winter, they should be cleaned first before use.

At present, most households use split-type air conditioners. For this type of air conditioner, the filter is the place that should be cleaned specifically.

A lot of dust accumulated throughout the winter accumulates on the filter. If not cleaned properly, it will not only affect the air conditioner's cooling effect, but also release harmful substances that may pose a threat to human health. To clean it, first carefully remove the filter, take it outside and gently pat it, then soak it in clean water and scrub it with a soft brush. If the filter is extremely dirty, you can also use a neutral detergent to clean it.

It's important to note that the water used for cleaning should not be too hot, and gasoline, detergent, or other cleaning agents should not be used to clean the filter, as this can cause deformation. Once the filter is clean, wipe it with a clean, soft cloth and allow it to air dry in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposing the filter to direct sunlight.

In addition, in order to ensure that the air blown out by the air conditioner is cleaner, the fan blades of the air outlet of the air conditioner also need to be cleaned. You can wipe them with a clean soft cloth dipped in clean water.

Nowadays, there are professional air conditioner cleaners on the market, which have good cleaning effects and are also easy to use.

Key Point 2 — Refrigerator

In the summer, people use the refrigerator more frequently, so it is particularly important to clean the inside of the refrigerator regularly. If it is not cleaned for a long time, the inside of the refrigerator will not only emit an unpleasant smell, but also easily breed bacteria.

Cleaning the interior of a refrigerator is actually quite simple. If it's not too dirty, simply wipe it with a soft cloth dipped in clean water. For a more thorough clean, wipe it with a soft cloth dipped in diluted dishwashing liquid, then wipe away any remaining detergent with clean water. However, regardless of which cleaning method you use, always turn off the power to the refrigerator before proceeding. Also, avoid using detergents, scouring powders, or other cleaning agents to clean the refrigerator.

There are some "home remedies" to deal with the odor coming from the inside of the refrigerator. For example, putting cut lemons or washed orange peels in the refrigerator can eliminate the unpleasant smell.

Key Point 3 — Microwave Oven

Microwave ovens have become an essential kitchen appliance for more and more people. How should we clean microwave ovens correctly?

Before cleaning your microwave, always unplug the power cord. Do not disassemble any parts except the turntable, plate rack, and ball ring. When cleaning, use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a neutral detergent. Never use dishwashing wool or detergents. Once the area is clean, wipe it again with a dry, soft cloth.

If your microwave oven has an odor because it has not been cleaned for a long time, you can put a cup of white vinegar or water with lemon slices into the oven and heat it. Take it out after about 6 minutes to eliminate the odor.

Key point 4 - washing machine

If the washing machine is not cleaned for a long time, the dirt accumulated inside it will cause the clothes to be contaminated. In summer, people wear clothes that are relatively close to the body, which is very harmful to people's health. Therefore, it is best to clean the washing machine once every 3 months or so.

At present, professional washing machine cleaners are sold in supermarkets. They can be used to remove dirt and bacteria from the inner tank and interlayer tank of the washing machine, and they are also very convenient to use. Generally speaking, just pour the detergent into the washing machine, add clean water, and run it for 3 or 4 minutes to allow the agent to fully dissolve. Then turn off the power and soak it for 3 quarters of an hour, then wash it according to the normal washing mode until the dirt floats out. Finally, drain the dirty water and wash it again with clean water.

If you don't want your washing machine to run empty, put a towel in it beforehand.

Key point 5 - Juicer

How to clean and maintain the juicer:

1. Disconnect the juicer from the power supply;

2. Separate the cup barrel and the host;

3. Carefully separate the tool and grid;

4. Use detergent and sponge to thoroughly clean the cup bucket;

5. Use special cleaning agents or detergents to clean the props and grids;

6. Wipe the host clean with a soft damp cloth;

7. It is strictly forbidden to soak the host in water when wiping it;

8. If there is oil smoke on the host, you can use detergent to wipe it;

9. All accessories that have been cleaned with detergent (including detergent) must be completely cleaned of the detergent;

10. Place the cleaned machine in a dry, ventilated place to dry;

11. Reassemble the juicer according to the steps in the instruction manual;

12. Connect the power supply and start the test run;

13. After confirmation, you can store it and wait for next use.

Part 2: Tips for maintaining furniture in summer: clean and remove dust regularly

In the summer, when the air is dry, skin care is a top priority. Your furniture should also be regularly cared for, with a maintenance mask to keep it looking new. The summer sun is intense, but prolonged exposure to the sun, combined with the already dry climate, can easily cause cracking and partial fading in furniture due to the wood drying out.

At the same time, in summer, it's also important to protect the paint film on your furniture to avoid accelerated aging. Wooden furniture shouldn't be simply wiped with a damp cloth. Instead, you should use professional furniture care products like essential oils to lock in moisture, maintaining a healthy moisture level, preventing the wood from drying out, cracking, and warping, thus extending its lifespan. However, don't overly increase humidity to prevent dryness. After all, furniture that's chronically damp is more likely to swell, rot, and warp. Proper maintenance measures are crucial to extending the lifespan of your furniture.

Clean regularly to prevent dust from entering

It's understood that symptoms like asthma and allergic rhinitis, which are common in autumn, are often caused by dust mites in the home. Dust mites primarily breed on floors, sofas, bedding, cushions, mattresses, and pillow cores. Therefore, if a room is heavily used with fabric items, regular cleaning and dust removal are essential. For example, it's best to dust fabric sofas weekly, paying particular attention to the armrests, seat cushions, and crevices. Regularly remove and clean the sofa's fabric covers. Bedding and pillow cores should also be washed and aired frequently. When the weather is clear, expose removable seat and back cushions to the sun to remove moisture and kill mold.

Besides fabrics, dust can also cause serious damage to furniture. High-end solid wood furniture, typically made from mahogany, teak, oak, walnut, and other woods, often features exquisite carvings. Failure to regularly clean and remove dust can lead to dust accumulation in the fine crevices, affecting the appearance and rapidly aging the furniture. Under normal circumstances, waxing the furniture surface is recommended, but avoid excessive waxing, as this can clog the wood's pores. Waxing creates a lustrous finish, resists dust, and makes cleaning easier.

Wooden furniture: avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures

People are always worried that wooden furniture will be affected by moisture, deformation, expansion and breakage in the hot summer. In fact, if the furniture selected is made of well-treated wood, then the normal summer climate will not have much impact on it.

Heat-resistant materials: Most furniture today undergoes moisture control before processing the wood. Many furniture pieces utilize solid wood for stress-bearing areas and high-density fiberboard for other areas to mitigate seasonal thermal expansion and contraction. Even with relatively high humidity levels in the summer, the wood will only expand slightly, and these natural changes do not affect the durability of high-quality furniture. However, if you choose traditional rosewood furniture, which often features extensive carvings and is not moisture-controlled, refinishing and polishing may be necessary during the first year of use.

Summer Maintenance: To extend the lifespan of your furniture, avoid excessive temperature and humidity fluctuations and strong sunlight during the summer. It's recommended to keep furniture away from heat sources or air conditioning vents to prevent significant temperature fluctuations that could damage or prematurely age it. Also, adjust the placement of furniture to avoid direct sunlight and use curtains if necessary. Solid wood drawers and sliding doors may become difficult to open and close due to excessive expansion. Apply wax or paraffin to the edges and bottom guides of drawers and sliding doors.

Fabric sofa: waterproof and stain-resistant fabric is easy to care for

There are many ways to clean and maintain sofas, and targeted solutions are proposed for different stains.

Colors to prevent heatstroke: The human body reacts differently to different colors, so it is recommended to choose fabric colors suitable for summer: yellow is bright and soft, which can adjust your mood, but it is best to choose a lighter yellow in summer; green can eliminate fatigue and stress after intense work, relax your mood, and is more compatible with colors such as white, yellow, and blue; blue generally gives people a refreshing and refined feeling, and helps with sleep, and is best paired with white.

There are many types of fabric sofas to choose from, and the prices vary greatly. For example, some waterproof and stain-resistant fabrics are difficult to penetrate even if juice is poured on them. Just wipe them gently with clean water and let them dry naturally in a ventilated place to avoid moisture and mold. Non-waterproof fabrics are mostly removable and washable. In addition, in the summer, due to the scorching sun, huge temperature changes, and smoke, the originally dry and comfortable sofa will become tight and faded. It is best to use a vacuum cleaner or brush to remove dust on the sofa regularly to prevent dust or stains from being left in the fibers for a long time.

Leather furniture: wipe the leather surface frequently with a rag

Leather sofas, thanks to their luxurious appearance, have become ubiquitous in countless homes. However, they also require careful and patient care. In the summer, when people sweat more and sunlight streams into the room, special care is required. Over time, improper care can lead to fading, ageing, and loss of luster, as well as a lack of elasticity and deformation of the leather.

Heat-resistant materials: Even genuine leather has different craftsmanship. For example, unembossed aniline leather is made from carefully selected, unscathed cowhide, giving it a soft, smooth feel like human skin. Sofas made from this type of leather can adjust to seasonal temperatures, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. While we sweat easily in the summer, aniline leather's excellent breathability means you won't feel sticky or uncomfortable when sitting on it. Oiled leather, on the other hand, is a thinner piece of genuine leather coated with a protective film, making it easy to care for.

Summer care: People sweat a lot in the summer, and the pores of the leather absorb sweat. The high temperature and humidity cause organic matter in the sweat to react chemically with the leather, easily producing odor. Therefore, wipe the sofa frequently with a damp cloth and use specialized cleaning and care products. Also, avoid storing the sofa in direct sunlight. Store it in an air-conditioned room to keep it dry to prevent mold from forming on the bottom of the sofa due to the summer's rainy and damp ground.

Part 3: Bacteria multiply quickly in summer and cabinets need regular cleaning and maintenance

To maintain the aesthetics of their kitchen cabinets, most families often hide drainage pipes and other facilities inside them during renovations. These areas can easily become untidiable areas, and some even contain trash cans, creating an environment for bacteria to grow. Especially in the summer, spoiled trash cans can make the entire kitchen cabinet smell awful!

Microbiology experts have pointed out that bacteria favor warm, humid environments. Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and other bacteria can silently multiply in closed cabinets and dark corners, contaminating food and affecting human health. A reminder: In addition to regular and thorough cleaning, cabinets should be frequently opened for ventilation, especially in the summer. Ideally, they should be allowed to breathe fresh air daily.

1. Don’t put kitchen utensils in the cupboard

To keep their kitchens neat and tidy, many people store dishes, chopsticks, knives, cutting boards, and more in cupboards. Stacking freshly washed dishes together, coupled with poor ventilation, prevents moisture from evaporating. Over time, this creates odors and breeds bacteria. Therefore, kitchenware should be stored in a well-ventilated, dry area. You can also place a dish rack near the sink to air-dry washed dishes, allowing them to simply rinse with clean water the next time they are used.

It's important to note that cutting boards absorb moisture easily, often becoming scratched and cracked, often harboring food residue. If not cleaned thoroughly or stored properly, food residue can rot and breed bacteria, even causing mold. Therefore, avoid storing cutting boards directly in a cupboard after use. Instead, hang them outside to dry.

2. Clean and maintain the cabinets regularly

Regular cabinet cleaning and maintenance is also crucial. Cleaning and maintenance of integrated cabinets should begin with the countertops, and cleaning methods vary depending on the material. Artificial stone countertops should never be scrubbed with a hard cloth or steel wool, as this can easily cause scratches or corrosion. Instead, wipe with a damp, soft towel. Fireproof board countertops can be cleaned with a nylon brush and detergent, then wipe dry with a damp cloth. For solid wood countertops, dust them with a duster before wiping with a dry cloth; never use a damp cloth. Regardless of the material, cabinets are sensitive to high temperatures, so avoid direct contact between hot pots and countertops.

Part 4: How to clean carpet? Tips for maintenance

Many families choose carpets to enhance their homes' elegance and refinement. While carpets are beautiful, cleaning and maintenance can be a real headache. With the arrival of summer heat, carpets become a breeding ground for bacteria and mites. If not cleaned and maintained promptly, they can easily cause illness to family members. Carpet cleaning and maintenance are crucial. Here are some tips on carpet cleaning and maintenance to keep your carpets clean and beautiful.

Dust and mite removal is necessary

Because dust accumulates in carpets, it can wear away the fibers and dull their color. Hallways, corridors, and other high-traffic areas should be vacuumed two to three times a week, and bedrooms should be vacuumed at least once a week. Furthermore, carpets are a favorite habitat for mites and bacteria, so frequent dusting can effectively remove insect eggs and bacteria hidden in carpet fibers, which is more effective than frequent carpet cleaning.

Remove carpet stains promptly

Stain removal is another important step in carpet maintenance. The sooner you remove stains, the better the results. If you wait too long, the stain will have penetrated the carpet's fibers, making it difficult to remove the stain that was originally removable.

Regularly perform thorough carpet cleaning

In addition to regular vacuuming, you can also dry clean the carpet after laying it for a period of time. Generally, it should be cleaned every two years to ensure that the carpet remains new for a long time.

There are some tricks to remove carpet mites

Carpets are a breeding ground for mites, especially in summer, making them particularly vulnerable to mite removal. There are two methods for removing mites: First, take 600g of flour, add 100g each of refined salt and talcum powder, mix with water, add 30ml of white wine, and heat to form a paste. After cooling, break the mixture into small pieces and sprinkle them on the floor. Second, soak a broom in boiled soapy water and sweep dusty carpets once or twice, then sprinkle with salt. Both methods are effective in removing carpet mites.

Teach you how to remove carpet odor

If you notice an odor on your carpet, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda evenly on it before bed. Vacuum it thoroughly the next morning. Baking soda not only absorbs moisture from the carpet but also eliminates food residue and pet odors. You can also buy some tea leaves and sprinkle them on the carpet using the same method to remove odors. Generally, do this every two weeks to eliminate odors and leave your carpet with a refreshing tea fragrance.

There is a way to remove the juice

To remove juice stains from carpets, you can use 5% ammonia solution to clean them, and then wipe them with diluted detergent. However, ammonia is harmful to pure wool carpet fibers, so its use should be minimized. Generally, citric acid, soap, or alcohol can be used to clean them, which has the same effect.

Summary: In summer, whether it is home cleaning or furniture maintenance, you must be careful and serious, so that you can completely drive away "cockroaches" and "vampires".