These are the 7 places I will be cleaning in August for a sanitized space fit for the last stretch of summer

Long summer nights spent outdoors will soon be drawing to a close, and fall is fast approaching. With cooler weather and hosting family and friends indoors, so you'll want your home looking its best.

If you’re anything like us, you like to be organized ahead of time, so your home is beautiful, clean, and always ready for guests. While it’s still summer, there are plenty of cleaning tasks you can get done now, without wishing the warmer months away.

So, here professional cleaners share their cleaning tips for which key areas to tackle in August 2025.

7 things to clean in August

1. Windows and screens

During summer, when spending more time outdoors, it's unsurprising that build-up on your windows can go unnoticed. But Taylor Riley, professional cleaner, founder of Boom Facility Service Advisors and co-owner of Impact Cleaning Professionals, says cleaning your windows should be tackled before the weather gets colder.

‘Windows and screens often accumulate pollen, dust, and debris during the summer months, so cleaning them will let in more natural light and improve air quality,’ he explains.

If you want to know the best way to clean window screens, Taylor suggests starting by removing the screens and vacuuming or brushing off loose dust and debris with your best handheld vacuum. The Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless handheld Vac, from Best Buy is perfect for this, as it weighs only 2.2lbs, making it ideal for vertical tasks without making your arm ache.

Then, scrub gently with soapy water, rinse thoroughly under a running tap, and let them dry completely before reinstalling for best results, as dust will cling to them if damp.

For the windows themselves, ‘Mix a few drops of dish soap with water in a bucket, and use a microfiber cloth [such as the USANOOKS Microfiber Cleaning Cloths available at Amazon, which are ultra-absorbent and last over 1200 washes] or sponge to wash the window panes, working from top to bottom.’

‘After washing, use a squeegee to remove the soapy water, wiping the blade with a cloth to avoid streaks.’ We like the OXO Good Grips All-Purpose Squeegee available at Amazon, as it has a soft, non-slip handle that is comfortable to use even when wet.

2. Your desk

If you regularly work from home, you might have been adopting a more alfresco working style during summer, which has probably left your office or desk space indoors neglected and messy.

You’ll be needing it soon, so it’s important to get it ready and get rid of those items cluttering your desk that could be set to hinder your productivity.

Robert Brennan, owner of Brennan & Co. Cleaning Professionals, shares, ‘We clean hundreds of homes per week, and in August, we see a solid increase in office cleaning requests. They become cluttered and dusty during summer, due to people spending less time in them and more time outside. While doing a deeper clean, customers often ask us to help organize and sort the accumulated items built up over summer.’

It can be a nightmare organizing a desk, so if yours is in disarray, it's also a good idea to invest in one of the best desk organizers before the start of September, such as the Simple Trending 7 Tier Desk File Organizer available at Amazon.

3. Carpets and upholstery

As cleaning expert Taylor says, ‘Summer activities can leave carpets and upholstery stained and dirty, so a deep clean is essential for removing grime and stains before the cooler months.

‘You can either rent or purchase carpet cleaning equipment [such as this Bissel TurboClean PowerBrush Carpet Cleaner from Amazon, which is Amazon’s overall pick, rated 4.6 stars by over 28,000 shoppers] for a cost-effective DIY solution.

‘Alternatively, you can hire a professional service for a more thorough clean. Renting allows you to handle the cleaning yourself, but professionals use advanced equipment and techniques to achieve a deeper clean and apply treatments that extend the life of your carpets,’ as they’re clued up on how to steam clean a carpet.

Either way, getting your carpets clean will ensure a home that’s perfect for relaxing and hosting as you transition into fall.

4. Your garage

Sorting out your garage should be another task on your fall cleaning checklist, particularly as they are often exposed to dampness, moisture, dust, and pests, and filled with things to get rid of. While it’s no small job by any stretch, you’ll thank yourself and reap the benefits of your forward planning come fall.

Taylor suggests, ‘Organize and clean your garage to prepare it for winter storage and keep it free of pests. Begin by sorting and decluttering items, then clean the garage floor and address any spills.’

The best way to clean garage floors is with a degreaser, a stiff-bristled brush, such as the BCOOSS Scrub Brush available at Walmart, and plenty of elbow grease to remove stains and marks.

Then, use shelves and bins, such as these IRIS USA Stackable Storage Bins With Lids from Amazon, which have pull handles and buckles so are easy to pull out even from high shelves, to keep items off the floor and make keeping the garage clean throughout winter easier.

Taylor concludes, 'Clean and winterize your outdoor equipment before storing it, using sealed containers to protect it, and install weather stripping and seal gaps to prevent pests from entering.'

5. Your refrigerator

Another area that Todd Anderson, owner of Cascade Cleaning Services, recommends tackling in August is cleaning your refrigerator.

'From barbecue, after-dinner leftovers, and that dodgy tub in the corner, your refrigerator's seen it all,' he says. 'August is for cleaning the shady condiments, the grubby shelves, and clearing space for after-school snacks – or, let's be honest, additional portions of takeaway.' Just make sure you're up to speed with the fridge cleaning mistakes to avoid before getting started.

Don't forget about vacuuming behind the fridge, too, continues Todd, adding, 'No one wants to do this, but it is a hazard, a dust collector, and an afterlife for snacks.

'For August, we need to confront the crumbs, the lint, and the errant spaghetti noodle that's been patiently waiting in the background since Memorial Day.'

A quick blitz with your best cordless vacuum should be all that's needed. Our top pick is the Dyson V15 Detect Pro​ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner available at Amazon.

6. Shower curtain and liner

Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, warns that the heat and humidity of summer can make your shower curtain and liner a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

To clean a shower curtain and liner, she advises, 'Toss both into the washer with baking soda and detergent. Add vinegar during the rinse cycle.

'For liners, I like the LiBa Bathroom Shower Curtain available at Amazon – it’s mildew-resistant and machine-washable.'

7. Doormats

Finally, taking the time to clean your doormat in August is one of the things people with clean entryways always do.

Will Cotter, a cleaning expert who owns multiple cleaning companies across the US, including DeluxeMaid, FreshSpace Cleaning, and HappyCleans, advises, 'Even your daily errands bring in dust. Cleaning it in August just makes sense, especially if you want to be ready for muddy shoes in the fall.

'Always take the mats outside first and shake out or whack against a wall to loosen dirt. I like to soak them in a basin with water for 30 minutes to an hour just to soften the grime.

'Once time’s up, remove from the basin, and squirt some dish soap or liquid detergent,' such as the Great Value Ultra Original Dish Liquid available at Walmart, and scrub both sides with a stiff brush.

'Then rinse and hang it outside to dry,' continues Will. And, if you don’t want the hassle of brushing, you can always hose it down with a pressure washer instead.

The machine-washable doormats from Ruggable make refreshing your doormat simple, with the covers easy to remove, launder, and replace.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Taylor Riley

Taylor began his journey in the cleaning world in 2019, when he started working with Impact Cleaning Professionals of Polk County, Florida. Alongside raising a family, Taylor has also founded Boom Facility Service Advisors, where he assists other cleaning business owners.

Will Cotter

Will is a cleaning expert and digital entrepreneur who owns multiple cleaning companies across the US, including DeluxeMaid, which has cleaned more than 7,500 homes. His expert tips have been featured in top publications like Homes & Gardens, Apartment Therapy, and Martha Stewart.

Karina Toner

With numerous contributions in Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, The Spruce, and many more, Karina has extensive knowledge of both commercial and residential cleaning, and knows better than anyone which monthly cleaning tasks

There are also several cleaning tasks best left to professional cleaners that you might want to start thinking about booking now, to ensure you leave no work undone before fall arrives.