5 things to clean in July 2025 – enjoy a beautiful, sunny, and sanitized space, both indoors and out

Summer months bring a whole host of new cleaning tasks that need to be tackled lest our houses become hotspots for dirt, pollen, and germs.

As July rolls around, it's likely you've been spending more time outdoors, with windows and doors thrown open to welcome in the summer sun. While this is one of the best parts of the season, it does, unfortunately, result in new messes and hidden dirt spots to tackle.

With that in mind, these are the five things to clean in July, with smart and expert-approved cleaning tips to keep your home hygienic in the hottest months and prepare your space for hosting guests.

5 things to clean in July 2025

1. Pools

July is a key season for pool maintenance. While you should have spent a good amount of time preparing your pool for initial use at the start of the spring and summer season, regular maintenance is essential to keep it hygienic, says Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors.

He explains, ‘The more frequently you use tools like pool skimmers and pool vacuums, the easier it will be to keep your pool clean and save wear and tear on your filter.

'Ideally, you should clean your pool once a week during the season, and clean the filter at least once a month.’

Using a pool net, such as the POOLWHALE Professional Pool Skimmer Net available at Amazon, daily is a great way to keep your pool free of leaves, debris, and dirt.

2. Planters and pots

Summer is the most enjoyable time to get outside and do some gardening. Before you start repotting plants, however, you should always clean flower pots and planters, says Tanu Grewal, chief cleaning officer at Chloralen.

She advises, ‘A lot of people don’t realize you should be cleaning your flower pots and planters before they become permanent homes for your plants. Particularly for planters that haven’t been used in a while, they can be breeding grounds for bacteria and diseases that could harm your plants.

'A bleach and water solution typically does the trick. Just mix together a small amount of bleach with water and – using gloves – wipe down the inside and outside of the pot. Rinse again with water, and allow the pot to air dry. Then, plant away.’

We recommend using waterproof gloves, such as the Mamison Waterproof Cleaning Rubber Gloves available at Amazon, rather than gardening gloves for this, to protect your skin.

It doesn't hurt to give your already potted plants a quick once-over at the same time.

Use a damp sponge free from chemicals, such as the AIRNEX Cellulose & Coconut Natural Sponges available at Walmart, to freshen up the pots and remove dirt and pests from the exterior for a more professional-looking yard.

3. Patio furniture

Sticking with the outdoor theme, July is the perfect time to clean outdoor furniture again. The hot sunny days mean they will dry quickly, preventing rust or water spots, and freshening them up ready for outdoor hosting, advises Rafi.

Spot clean soft furnishings, too, by cleaning outdoor cushions and cleaning mold from outdoor cushions. This is particularly important when it comes to cleaning white outdoor cushions.

'With frequent use in summer, they pick up sunscreen, sweat, and grime,' warns Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless. 'Vacuum with your best handheld vacuum, then spray them with a fabric cleaner, such as the Resolve Liquid Multi-Fabric Cleaner and Upholstery Stain Remover available at Amazon, which is effective on mildew, grease, and food stains.

'Let them dry in the sun,' she adds, which will also help to further kill mold and bacteria.

4. Entryways

It is recommended to clean your entryway weekly, but July is a good time for a deep clean, particularly if you need to get rid of musty smells in your entryway, says cleaning expert Tanu.

‘The more time you spend outdoors, the more likely you are to track dirt, grass, and other debris into the house,' she explains. 'This is especially true for those of us with pets or kids who are often running through the yard with muddy feet.

'If you have hardwood floors, this can be made easy with a quick soap and water wipe-down.'

For this, we recommend using the Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner available at Walmart, paired with the popular EasyWring™ Spin Mop & Bucket System, also available at Walmart.

'But if you have carpets, keeping the entryway clean can be more difficult,' continues Tanu.

'To simplify the process, I recommend getting a washing machine-safe entryway rug or doormat,' such as the Muddy Mat® available at Amazon, which is top-reviewed for ease of cleaning.

'When the doormat gets dirty, you can throw it in the wash with detergent and cold water,' she adds.

5. BBQ grills

It wouldn’t be summer without a cookout. In fact, as Will Cotter, cleaning expert and founder of HappyCleans says, 'It's the peak grilling season. All that BBQ buildup needs scrubbing so it doesn't mess with the flavor of the food.'

So, while BBQ grills were on our list of things to clean in May, if you haven't done so already, take advantage of the hot sunny days of July and deep clean your grill, urges Vanessa Terra Bossart, cleaning expert and owner of Green Terra Cleaning.

‘Disassemble the grill grates and other removable parts and soak them in warm, soapy water to loosen any built-up grease and grime,' she advises.

We recommend using the bestselling Dawn Ultra Liquid Dish Soap available at Walmart for this, which powerfully cuts through grease and grime with 100 percent biodegradable surfactants. Alternatively, Will suggests using Goo Gone Grill and Grate Cleaner Spray available at Amazon.

'Then, scrub with a grill brush or sponge, and use a baking soda and water paste for stubborn stains,' Vanessa continues.

‘Rinse thoroughly and let them dry completely before reassembling, remembering to also wipe down the exterior of the grill with a damp cloth [such as the MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth available at Walmart] and mild detergent.’

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Rafi Friedman

Coastal Luxury Outdoors was founded in 1983, specializing in pool construction, and building bespoke backyard paradises.

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, including exactly what to clean each month, and why.

Vanessa Terra Bossart

Vanessa is an expert cleaner and the CEO of GreenTerra Cleaning, Sparkling Clean Agency & Green Living Supplies.

Will Cotter

HappyCleans offers professional maid services in Oklahoma City, with a five-star rating on Google and Yelp.

These monthly special cleaning tasks are, of course, to be done on top of the household chores you should be doing weekly. This might seem like a lot of extra work, but they are essential to keeping your home, particularly your outdoor areas, clean and safe to use in the warmest months of the year.

Create a good cleaning plan and schedule to keep yourself accountable to ensure they are all achieved in good time. Using some summer cleaning hacks can really help get things moving.