By the time June rolls around, my house looks like it’s been through a war. There’s sand everywhere despite my best efforts to leave it at the beach, my windows are so hazy from salt air I can barely see outside, and everything feels sticky from the humidity. Last year I tried to tackle it all in one weekend and nearly had a breakdown scrubbing my bathroom at 11 PM on Sunday night.
Living this close to the ocean is great until you realize salt air destroys everything and sand has supernatural powers to appear in places it has no business being. My friend who lives inland thinks I’m exaggerating, but she’s never had to deal with windows that look dirty two days after cleaning them.
I’ve learned to spread the deep cleaning out over a few weeks instead of killing myself trying to do everything at once.
Cleaning Services That Are Always There For You
Some things matter more than others, and figuring out what actually makes a difference versus what just makes you feel busy has been a game changer.
The Stuff That Actually Matters
The first thing I tackle is anything that affects the air quality, because humid air plus dust plus salt equals a house that feels gross no matter how much you clean the surfaces. My ceiling fans were basically dust distributors until I started actually washing the blades instead of just wiping them.
The entryway is where I spend the most effort because it sets the tone for everything else. People are constantly in and out during summer, tracking in sand and salt and sunscreen residue. I’m not just mopping here – I’m washing walls, scrubbing baseboards, and cleaning door frames that get touched by sandy hands all day long.
Windows are a lost cause in Ocean County, but you still have to try. That film that builds up from salt air isn’t just on the glass – it’s on the frames and sills too, and it makes windows stick when you try to open them. Plus, dirty windows make your house feel dark even when it’s sunny outside.
The Sand Situation is Real
Anyone who lives here knows sand is like glitter – once it’s in your house, it’s never really gone. I gave up trying to keep it out completely and just focused on damage control. The vacuum cleaner becomes your best friend during summer months, and not just for carpets.
Sand works its way into everything – couch cushions, chair crevices, even somehow into upstairs bedrooms. I do a thorough vacuum of all the furniture cushions and use the hose attachment to get into corners where the regular vacuum doesn’t reach. It’s amazing how much sand comes out of places you’d never expect.
Kitchen Gets Disgusting Fast
Summer kitchens are gross. All the entertaining, the fresh produce that leaves sticky residue, the increased ice usage that creates puddles, and just generally more activity means more mess in less time.
I always forget to clean inside my appliances until I open the refrigerator and it smells weird, or the microwave starts making strange noises because of all the splatters I’ve ignored. The freezer is especially bad – all those popsicles and ice cream containers leave their mark.
The range hood is something I never thought about until my neighbor mentioned it. All that cooking, especially with windows open and fans running, means it’s working overtime and getting clogged with grease and dust. No wonder my kitchen was staying smoky even with the fan on.
Humidity Makes Everything Sticky
The worst part about summer cleaning here is how everything feels sticky all the time. Countertops, cabinet handles, light switches – within hours of cleaning them, they feel gross again. I started using a stronger cleaner that actually cuts through the humidity buildup instead of just moving it around.
My pantry was getting that musty smell that happens when humid air meets cardboard packaging. I had to pull everything out and actually scrub the shelves, then put everything back in airtight containers. It’s a pain, but better than finding bugs in your cereal.
Bathrooms Are a Nightmare
Between the natural humidity and everyone coming in and out from the beach, my bathrooms were developing that swamp smell that no amount of air freshener could cover. Mold and mildew grow like crazy in spots you don’t think to check – behind the toilet, around the base of the sink, inside the exhaust fan.
I started using a dehumidifier in the main bathroom during summer months, which helps, but you still have to scrub all the places where moisture collects. The grout between tiles is especially bad – it goes from white to gray to black faster than you’d believe possible.
Outdoor Stuff Needs Help Too
My deck furniture looked like it belonged in a horror movie by the end of last summer. Salt air plus humidity plus sun equals furniture that looks twenty years older than it actually is. The cushions were developing that musty smell, and the metal parts were getting rusty spots.
Power washing helps, but you also have to actually scrub things and treat them with protective products if you want them to survive another season. My neighbor’s deck looks great because she stays on top of this stuff. Mine looked like a crime scene until I finally dealt with it.
Just Get Through It
The key is not trying to be perfect. Summer in Ocean County means your house is going to get dirty again almost immediately, so you’re not cleaning to achieve some magazine standard – you’re cleaning so your house doesn’t feel gross to live in.
I break it up over three or four weekends, do the most important stuff first, and don’t worry about the things that’ll just get dirty again in two days. It’s about making your house livable for the busy summer season, not winning any awards.