EXCLUSIVE: Lynsey Crombie has revealed the five household jobs you should never attempt during the UK's heatwave – and there's a very good reason for the wait...11:10, 10 Jul 2026If you're struggling during the UK's soaring temperatures, there's nothing more soul-crushing than housework. But now Lynsey Crombie, aka The Queen of Clean, has given you a free pass to put your feet up until it cools down again, as you should completely avoid these chores during the hot weather.‌It can be all too tempting to blitz through washing to dry outside or dusting the living room as the natural light shows all the imperfections, but during a heatwave, it's not entirely necessary. That's because certain chores can actually make your home hotter, more uncomfortable, and even leave you with worse cleaning results than if you'd waited.‌But Lynsey shared there are jobs she'd skip right now.‌1. Skip the tumble dryer if you canIt might feel like the quickest way to get through the laundry pile, but tumble dryers generate a huge amount of heat. On an already scorching day, you're simply pumping even more warm air into your home.If the weather allows, hang your washing outside instead. In a heatwave, clothes often dry in a fraction of the usual time, leaving you with fresh laundry and a much cooler house. Don't leave washing outside in a heatwave for too long, as it can bleach out colour; an hour should be fine.2. Don't clean your ovenDeep-cleaning the oven isn't a job I'd recommend during a heatwave. Many oven cleaning products need time to work, and you'll often need to use the oven afterwards to finish the process.‌The last thing you want is to heat up your kitchen even more. Save this task for a cooler day and make the most of the sunshine instead. Try to avoid cooking anything in the oven, too!3. Don't clean windows in direct sunshineThis is one of the biggest mistakes people make in warm weather.‌The heat from the sun causes your window cleaner to dry far too quickly, leaving behind streaks, smears and water marks. If you want sparkling glass, wait until the windows are in the shade, or clean them first thing in the morning or later in the evening.4. Avoid hoovering at the hottest parts of the dayHoovers generate heat while they're running, particularly if you're cleaning a larger home or tackling multiple rooms.If you can, vacuum early in the morning before temperatures rise, or leave it until the evening when your home has had a chance to cool down. It'll feel much more comfortable, and you'll use far less energy yourself, too.‌In this case, the hottest part of the day is often between 3pm to 7pm.5. Don't use your steam cleanerSteam cleaners are brilliant for deep cleaning kitchens, bathrooms and hard floors, but during a heatwave they can make your home feel like a sauna.They release both heat and humidity, making already warm rooms feel even more uncomfortable. It's a job that's much better saved for when temperatures return to normal.Article continues belowAnother top tip...When temperatures soar, don't put pressure on yourself to deep clean. Instead, focus on quick maintenance jobs that keep your home fresh without making it hotter.Open your windows early in the morning while the air is still cool, then close the curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day to help keep rooms comfortable. The bigger cleaning jobs will still be there when the weather cools down, and they'll be much easier to tackle then.I always roll up rugs during a heatwave, and leave the floorboards bare as this can make rooms cooler.