Summer is often the time for relaxing, vacations, and spending more time outdoors. But between the hot and humid weather, abundance of bugs, and backyard BBQs, it should also be a time for keeping the kitchen clean. These tasks don’t have to take all day. Just think, when you’re done with these summer kitchen cleaning tips, you can relax in your backyard oasis.

How to keep your outdoor kitchen clean

Whether you have one grill or a full outdoor kitchen space, keeping it clean is not only hygienic, but it also prevents pests from coming over. Focus on the following areas:

• Clean grill grates between every use to remove grease and charred pieces.
• Empty the ash container from charcoal grills.
• Scrub tongs, skewers, and other utensils.
• Wipe down outdoor dining surfaces before and after every meal.
• Restock foil, outdoor-friendly dining pieces, and other accessories for easy cleaning.

Treat your indoor and outdoor kitchen with care to keep the area sanitized and help prevent foodborne illnesses.

Why you should clean the fridge and freezer this summer

Your appliances are working extra hard in the heat to help keep your food fresh and cold. Help them out.

• Sticky surfaces, crumbs, and expired foods can all attract more pests this season. Clear out the space and wipe it all down to prevent uninvited guests from showing up.
• Wipe down the door seals regularly to prevent dirt buildup from compromising effectiveness.
• Vacuum the condenser coils to remove dust and debris.
• When arranging food on shelves, leave space between items and vents to allow airflow.
• Store raw meat and poultry on the bottom shelf to avoid cross-contamination with other food items.
• The warmer weather also means some foods may go bad quicker. Stay on top of fresh produce and picnic leftovers.

Keeping your fridge and freezer clean and properly storing food helps these appliances run more efficiently, keeping your food safe and pests away.

Why cleaning cabinets and the pantry is essential in summer

Like the fridge, anywhere you store food is a prime target for pests. Between greasy fingerprints and crumbs, there could be a trail leading straight to your snacks. Cleaning out your cabinets completely helps to take stock of what you have, throw away what’s expired, and properly store what’s left.

• Wipe down the inside, outside, shelves, and handles.
• Line drawers and shelves with paper or mats for easy cleaning.
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Reorganize shelves and drawers to make finding items easier.

By taking everything out before you clean, you can also check the corners you don’t usually see when the cabinets are stocked. Make sure there are no cracks or gaps where pests can get in.

Should you deep clean the oven in the summer?

Yes. You may not be using it as much if you’re trying to keep your kitchen cooler and relying on outdoor grills. This makes it the perfect time to clean.

• Wipe out crumbs.
• Scrub the racks.
• Use an oven-safe cleaner to tackle baked-on grease.
• Remove and soak vent filters.
• Wipe down the outside of the vent hood.

By the time you’re back to baking fall goodies, your oven will be ready.

When to sanitize the trash can

You may notice more odors coming from the trash this time of year. Pests do too. Before they find their way in to investigate your scraps, sanitize the can.

• Take the can outside to hose it down.
• Scrub it with hot water and dish soap before rinsing.
• Let it dry in the sun.
• For extra freshness, sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom or line it with a dryer sheet.

You may want to consider double bagging food scraps or taking the trash out more regularly to prevent odors. Rinse any containers before throwing them in the trash or recycling can.

Why disinfecting cutting boards is important

This is the season for slicing more fruit, chopping more vegetables, and prepping more meat for the grill. Cutting boards can get a lot of action, so they need extra cleaning and disinfecting to prevent cross-contamination. Even if you use multiple boards for different food items, cleaning and disinfecting is still important.

Should you wash reusable grocery bags?

Between summer farmers markets and regular grocery runs, your reusable bags may be getting more use, which also means they’re getting more grime. Toss cloth or canvas bags in the washing machine and wipe down plastic-lined bags with a disinfecting wipe. This helps prevent bacteria build-up from transferring to your food.

When your kitchen is clean, you can relax even more knowing there’s less of a chance pests or contamination will ruin your summer plans.