4 Summer Cleaning Tips to Do Now!

April 12, 2023

What summer cleaning tips do you need to do now and why? It’s spring, not summer, but summer is just around the corner. So, you need to do these 4 summer clean-ups now so you can enjoy summer to the fullest! After all, who doesn’t want to enjoy the sunshine? 

Summer Cleaning Tip #1: Spruce Up Your Pool Steps & Siding 

Have you got an above-ground pool you’re just itching to uncover, fill with fresh, clean water, and jump right in on the first hot day of the year? Heck, just thinking about it gets us super pumped. But not so fast! After sitting outside throughout the windy autumn and snowy winter, you’ve probably noticed that the pool siding could be fresher looking, and the steps and banisters have lost their luster.

While grime on your pool siding and rusty banisters won’t necessarily impact your swimming experience, it isn’t pleasant. Additionally, you don’t want your steps and banisters to become so rusted that they end up causing corrosion/deterioration, which is unsafe for everyone. 

Keeping it Easy Peasy 

We recommend using our Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser or Soft Cleanser to clean your pool’s siding (often made with aluminum or steel). If using the Powder Cleanser, create and apply a paste, let it sit for 5 minutes (if badly stained), wipe it using a hand towel or soft cloth, and then rinse with a hose. If you want a cleaner that spreads most easily, use the BKF Soft Cleanser following the same instructions. We recommend repeating those same steps for your pool steps and banisters. 

If your steps and banisters are badly rusted, you’ll likely want to use a little more product and leave it on a little longer. Just make sure  not to exceed 10 minutes. We also recommend a soft cloth to rub the product in, along with a little elbow grease.

Summer Cleaning Tip #2: Clean Your Sliding Patio Doors

If you have sliding doors, they’re getting a lot more use now that the weather is getting nicer.

More folks are going in and out, and a lot more families are keeping those sliding patio doors wide open to let the fresh air in. Even though spring has sprung, and those doors are getting lots of use, there is still time to show those doors some TLC. 

Winter’s snowfall, and spring’s rainy weather have all created a perfect storm (pun very much intended) of sliding door windows caked in dirt and unsightly water spots.

Yuck the Muck! 

If the unpleasantries of dirt and water spots weren’t bad enough, the tracks of those sliding patio doors are likely filled with gunk from the previous seasons. Not only is this not great to look at, but any grime in the tracks of your sliding door can cause problems with the sliding mechanism.

While it’s important to let fresh air into your home occasionally, you’ll want to close those doors before nighttime rolls around. That being said, cleaning out that grime is of the utmost importance. 

To combat the water spots on the sliding door, we recommend using Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser. Create a paste using water, rub the paste into the glass, and let it sit for 5 minutes max. Once the five minutes are up, wipe away the soap using a wet cloth or paper towel. Keep in mind that a little BKF goes a long, long way. To prevent post-cleaning residue, use less BKF than you think you need. 

As far as the tracks on your sliding doors, we recommend our BKF MORE Spray + Foam cleaner to get rid of the dirt and grime that accumulate over time. On top of using the MORE Spray + Foam, we also recommend using a multi-use lubricant like WD-40 to ensure the sliding mechanism works flawlessly. 

Summer Cleaning Tip #3: Clean Your Bicycles

Walking and running are excellent forms of summer exercise, but there are lots of folks who enjoy bicycling. It’s an activity that many families enjoy doing together. 

If you last used your bike six months ago, or more, chances are good that it’s collected quite a bit of dust.  Or worse, if you last used your bike a few years ago, chances are good that some parts have become rusty. And some mechanisms have become stiff and difficult to move. Regardless of your bike’s condition, you can get that bike looking as good as new with a bit of know-how and elbow grease. 

For bikes that have been sitting around for a little over six months, BKF’s MORE Spray + Foam can do the trick. Spray (or foam) the cleaner into a soft cloth and wipe the frames, spokes, and handles. Wipe clean with a damp cloth & dry off. If your bike has stainless steel components, you might also consider trying out BKF’s Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish for some added shine.

Sitting and Sitting and Sitting 

If your bike has been sitting in the garage for a few years, it will need more work. For areas of your bike that are a tad rusty (the frame, handles, and spokes), we recommend applying our BKF Soft Cleanser, rubbing vigorously with a soft cloth, and rinsing away. Of course, if your bike is REALLY rusty, here’s a pro-tip: repeat the steps mentioned with our Cookware Cleanser & Polish. The power of 50% more grease-cutting detergents is great for helping the rustiest of appliances. Why wouldn’t you use it on your bike too?

As for the mechanisms that make the bike move (gears, chains, and cogs), multi-purpose lubricants can help get your bike moving like normal. Of course, if you suspect any major issues with your bike, we highly recommend taking it to a local bike shop to be repaired! 

Summer Cleaning Tip #4: Prep Your Grill for Summer Cookin’

Last, but not least, is the almighty backdoor grill. While many folks have already broken out the grill, some have been waiting for a special occasion like Memorial Day or Independence Day to get the propane out or light up the charcoal. If you’re one of those who still need to prepare their grill for the summer, now’s the best time.

If you’ve uncovered your stainless steel grill and found it isn’t in too bad of shape, we recommend using BKF’s Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish. It will bring back the luster that may have dulled from light dust or dirt that accumulated over the winter. However, if your grill was uncovered and available to all the elements, you might need to put in a little more work. BKF’s Soft Cleanser or Powder Cleanser are great options for getting rid of rust and bringing back your grill’s original shine. Always clean with the “grain” or brush lines of the grill’s stainless steel surface.

Assuming the inside of your grill needs some TLC as well, you can use a grill brush to get rid of food particles and “gunk” from previous uses. After that, you can take the grates out of the grill and use our Soft Cleanser to ensure they’re completely clean. Just make sure to rinse those grates thoroughly. 

Yes, it will be summer before you know it, so get a head start with these 4 summer cleaning tips. Have a great summer!