The "Summer Cleaning" Boom Spreads Due to Extreme Heat: The Latest Method to Refresh Your Home by Taking Advantage of the Heat

1. Introduction—The Rapidly Expanding "Summer Cleaning" Market

In the mid-2020s, when scorching hot days became the norm, there was a significant shift in the cleaning habits of Japanese people. A survey by Mainichi Shimbun revealed that 49% of respondents had done a major cleaning in the summer, indicating the formation of a "second peak" following the year-end cleaning.mainichi.jp

2. Why "Summer" Now?—Three Social Backgrounds

1. Avoiding Going Out Due to Heatwaves
   Regions experiencing more than 20 days annually with temperatures exceeding 35°C have increased, making "indoor cooling" a trend.
   
   

2. Normalization of Remote Work
   There is a rapid increase in demand for making homes more comfortable as workplaces.
   
   

3. Serious Mold and Odor Issues
   From the rainy season to midsummer, periods with humidity over 70% are prolonged, making mold inside bathrooms and air conditioners prone to explosive growth. A PR TIMES survey also found that the number one motivation for summer cleaning was "removal of mold and odors."prtimes.jpprtimes.jp

3. The Chemistry of Heat and Dirt—Scientific Reasons Why Dirt is Easier to Remove in Summer

• Lowering of Melting Point of Fats: At temperatures above 30°C, solid fats liquefy, making them more reactive with surfactants.products.st-c.co.jp
  
  

• Rise in Water Temperature: When water temperature increases from 20°C to 30°C, the cleaning power of detergents is about 1.3 times stronger.
  
  

• Shortened Drying Time: Quick drying after cleaning reduces the reattachment of water stains.

4. Complete Guide by Room and Type of Dirt

4-1 Kitchen: Grease on Stovetops and Ventilation Fans

• Soften grease with a baking soda paste and steam (from an electric kettle).

• Disassemble and clean ventilation fans in the afternoon when the outside temperature is high for improved efficiency.

4-2 Bathroom & Washroom: Mold and Sebum

• Reset bacterial films with the "reheat pipe cleaning mode" at 50°C or higher.

• Use ethanol, bleach, and ventilation in three steps for rubber seals.

4-3 Toilet: Urine Scale and Black Stains

• Leave a citric acid pack covered with plastic wrap for 30 minutes.

• In summer, water levels tend to drop, so be cautious to prevent the drying of the drain trap.

4-4 Living Room & Bedroom: House Dust

• Open windows fully in the morning and use a circulator to expel airborne dust.

• For flooring, the basic method is "W Wipe" with dry and then wet cloths.

4-5 Air Conditioners & Ventilation Fans: Filters

• Vacuum every two weeks and wash with water once a month.osoujihonpo.comasahieito.co.jp

• For internal cleaning, use professional services once a year (disassembly cleaning can reduce power consumption by about 15%).

5. Surviving Without Heatstroke! Safety Manual

• Maintain a room temperature of 28°C and humidity below 60% (recommended values to prevent heatstroke).netsuzero.jp

• Take breaks every 30 minutes and stay hydrated with oral rehydration solutions.

• Use neck fans and quick-dry wear to lower core body temperature.

6. Smart Use of Professional Services and DIY

The house cleaning market is expected to exceed 350 billion yen in 2024, with subscription-based services expanding.wiple-service.com

7. Cleaning & IT—Utilizing Apps and IoT

• Share "cleaning tasks" among family members using a schedule management app.

• IoT ventilation fans automatically exhaust air in response to humidity sensors.

• Have smart speakers read out "cleaning recipes" to keep your hands free.

8. Eco-Friendly Cleaning for the Environment and Budget

• Baking soda + citric acid + sodium percarbonate can cover almost all areas.

• Avoid peak electricity hours (14-17) and use air conditioning in the morning or at night.

• Using refill packs can reduce annual plastic waste by about 1.2 kg.

9. Market Trends and Campaign Information

• Kao's "Refreshing Summer! Home Cleaning" video surpassed 1 million views.prtimes.jp

• May and July are the two busiest periods for air conditioner cleaning.polisher.jp

• Some local governments are implementing "summer energy-saving & cleaning point redemption" initiatives.

10. Conclusion

Summer is the perfect season to turn the "enemy" of high temperature and humidity into an "ally" for removing dirt. By combining scientifically-backed cleaning methods with heatstroke prevention measures, and involving the whole family, you can halve the year-end burden while revitalizing your indoor environment. Use the know-how from this article to make "summer cleaning" a new routine in your lifestyle this year.

List of Reference Articles (External Links, Chronological Order)

1. Mainichi Shimbun"Reasons for the Spread of 'Summer Cleaning': Concerns About Home Dirt Due to Avoiding Going Out in the Heat" (July 3, 2025)
   　https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250703/k00/00m/040/200000c

2. PR TIMES"'Summer is the Time for Cleaning' Survey: About 50% Have Experienced Major Summer Cleaning" (July 7, 2025)
   　https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000999.000000000.html

3. Kao"Refreshing Summer! Home Cleaning" Campaign Page (August 2024)
   　https://www.kao.co.jp/cleansing/summer-campaign/

4. S.T. PLUS"Recommendation for Summer Cleaning" (August 2023)
   　https://www.st-c.co.jp/plus/articles/cleaning202308/

5. Polisher.JP"When is the Peak Demand for Air Conditioner Cleaning?" (June 2024)
   　https://www.polisher.jp/blog/aircleaning-peak-2024/

6. Towards Zero Heatstroke"Indoor Heatstroke Prevention Points" (Revised July 2024)
   　https://www.netsuzero.jp/learning/indoor-summer-2024/

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