When school lets out and summer break begins, so does the wave of snack wrappers, sandy footprints, sticky counters and general kid chaos. With kids at home full-time, keeping a tidy house can feel nearly impossible but it is manageable with the right strategies.
At Moms with Mops, we’ve helped families across the Emerald Coast keep their homes clean and stress-free for over a decade. Whether you’re in Niceville, Destin or Fort Walton Beach, these 5 summer cleaning tips will help you stay ahead of the mess so you can enjoy the beach and soak up the sunshine.
Have you noticed your kids coming in and out all day? Set up a designated “drop zone” by your most-used doors (garage door, front door or back door). Use a simple bin, mat or even hooks to collect shoes, bags, beach towels and sports gear before they reach the rest of your home.
Major bonus: being able to trap sand and dirt at the door—right where it belongs.
Instead of wiping crumbs from every room, corral the chaos with a summer snack station. Choose one low shelf or small cart with healthy grab-and-go options and a rule: snacks stay in the kitchen. You’ll reduce food messes and maybe even encourage a little independence.
Worried about stains on carpet or furniture from drinks? Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide are great stain removers! Don’t rub a stain, as it can spread. Simply apply your chosen solution and dab from the surface. Let the spot dry and repeat as needed.
Bare feet + outdoor play = sandy floors. Whether it’s sticky popsicle drips, grass tracked in from the yard or sugar-white sand from a day at the beach, your floors need more love in the summer. Vacuum high-traffic areas every other day and give tile or hardwood a quick mop weekly to stay ahead of the grime and buildup.
Turn mess management into a team effort. Assign age-appropriate chores like wiping counters, making beds or gathering laundry. A quick 10-minute clean-up every evening can make a huge difference and keeps kids accountable for their own messes.
Here are a few age appropriate chores (ages 6-10) to help teach responsibility while actually lightening the load:
Daily Tasks
Weekly Tasks
Bonus Helpers
Summer should be fun—not spent scrubbing baseboards or battling bathroom grime. Moms with Mops offers deep cleaning services that leave your home sparkling and summer-ready. Whether you need a one-time refresh or weekly help, we’ve got your back (and your baseboards).
Don’t let the mess steal your summer.
Call Moms with Mops today or email us at to schedule your next clean.
Serving Niceville, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and surrounding areas since 2009.
Category: Cleaning
