Summer is a great season to spruce up your home, says cleaning guru Katie Lillywhite. Subtle, easy updates can give your space a warm, inviting feel. And best of all, they cost just pennies to try.12:34, 21 Jul 2026Summer is the perfect time to give your home a nice refresh, with some of the most effective cleaning tricks costing just pennies to do. Katie Lillywhite, floorcare expert at AO.com, is here to help get us all started. Here she shares her foolproof tips for a flawless home.‌The 35p window cleaning hack"This requires equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle," says Katie. "Vinegar costs just pennies per use and helps to cut through fingerprints, pollen and grime. Spritz it onto glass surfaces and wipe down using a microfibre cloth for a sparkling finish."‌Vacuum up pollenKatie says: “If you’re someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, a simple vacuum can make a huge difference. During summer, homes collect more dust, pollen, grass cuttings and pet hair. Concentrate on high-traffic areas of the home, such as furniture and entryways."‌Fabulous filters“Be sure to empty the vacuum bin regularly and clean or replace filters to restore suction and improve overall cleaning performance," says Katie. "A clogged filter can force your vacuum to work harder than necessary."Hard to reach spotsKatie says: “Don’t forget other overlooked areas too, such as skirting boards, behind appliances and under furniture. These spots can quickly accumulate dust and other allergens, especially with windows being open more frequently due to the warmer weather."‌The correct order of things“If you have hard floors, it is important to vacuum before mopping," says Katie. "Doing so removes any loose dirt first and prevents debris from being spread around, keeping floors cleaner for longer."Check your sealsKatie says: “Another worthwhile tip for a summer refresh is to clean appliance seals and vents. Door seals around your fridge, tumble drier filters and extractor fan covers can face dust and grease build up over time. Making time to clean them not only improves appearance but helps to support efficient performance."‌Fabric refresh“Finally, washing bedding, cushion covers and curtains can help remove pollen and other airborne allergens that build up over the warmer months," says Katie. "Try to dry these outside on the washing line for maximum freshness. It is a simple and effective way to make your home feel fresher and more comfortable throughout summer.”Top products for the jobVax Platinum Smartwash Pet-Design CDCW-SWXP Carpet Cleaner, £349 at AO.comGive your tired carpets new life with this Vax carpet cleaner. Featuring a 2.7-litre clean water capacity and an easily removable tank, refilling is completely hassle-free. It also holds up to 1.5 litres of dirty liquid, effortlessly clearing up messy spills. When mud gets tracked inside, the rotating brush bar deeply lifts out stubborn dirt, leaving rugs looking good as new. For snacks spilled on the sofa, simply attach the upholstery tool to quickly clear away crumbs. Best of all, carpets dry in under an hour—leaving your home fresh and ready for guests in no time.‌Shark Anti-Hair Wrap with Powered Lift Away and True Pet NZ801UKT Upright Vacuum Cleaner, £299 at AO.comThis upright bagless vacuum cleaner from Shark brings a breath of fresh air to your home. Its DuoClean Floorhead uses two unique brush rolls that work together to capture fine and stuck-on dirt, while the self-cleaning system keeps hair from tangling in the bristles. It’s ideal for pet owners, featuring a Pet Turbo Brush that easily removes shed hair from carpets and sofas. If you suffer from allergies, the high-efficiency filters and completely sealed unit ensure that 99.9% of dust and allergens are locked away for good, leaving your space deeply cleaned and allergen-free.‌Original Philips OneUp 5000 Series Electric Mop, £199 at John LewisDitch the bucket with the Philips OneUp cordless electric mop. Its dual-tank system continuously feeds clean water and detergent to your floor while sucking up dirty liquid into a separate compartment. Perfect for wood, tile, and laminate, it delivers a deep, streak-free clean on all hard floors - leaving them spotless and quick to dry without the hassle.‌Roomba Plus 415 Combo Robot + AutoWash Dock, £499 at irobot.co.ukArticle continues belowEffortlessly maintain spotless floors every day with this advanced robot mop and vacuum. Engineered for everyday messes, it combines high-powered suction with DualClean Mop Pads and SmartScrub technology to lift tough dirt and stubborn, stuck-on spills. With smart navigation and convenient app control, the robot smoothly manoeuvre through your home and cleans on your exact schedule. The self-maintaining dock takes care of the upkeep for you, delivering a consistent, fully automated clean so you can enjoy fresh, spotless floors without lifting a finger.