Cleaning Hack: Use Sunlight for Cleaning this Summer

Sunshine puts you in a good mood and gives you an attractive tan. But that’s not all: with the right knowledge, you can also use UV rays to make your home cleaner. In this article, we’ll show you how to make the most of the sun’s cleaning power in the Summer and what you need to bear in mind.

Use Sunlight to Clean Your Mattress

A nightmare scenario for allergy sufferers: millions of mites, bedbugs, and other vermin can settle in a bed. Mites in particular thrive in the dark, damp environment of a mattress. But there’s one thing these pests can’t stand: sunlight! Brightness! Low humidity! Is it barbecue weather outside? Perfect: take your mattress out into the sun!

Here’s how to get rid of mites: Remove the sheet, then carefully brush and vacuum the mattress. Then place it directly in the sun. If you leave the mattress in the sun for up to three hours, most mites and their eggs will be killed by the UV rays.

This procedure will keep the mattress mite-free for up to a month. But be careful: it is better not to put latex mattresses in the sun, as the UV rays can damage the material.

Clean Drinking Water with UV rays

Water is life. Especially in the summer, you should drink two to three liters of water per day. People often refer to tap water; however, as the Robert Koch Institute has found, German tap water can also be contaminated with pathogens such as Legionella. The sun can then help to eliminate the invisible germs.

All you need is an empty plastic or glass bottle and sunlight! Find an empty plastic or glass bottle and remove all labels. Fill the bottle three-quarters full with water. Then shake it well for a few seconds to create oxygen. Now you can fill the bottle to the top and place it in direct sunlight. Placing the bottle on a black surface will speed up the sterilization process. After six hours in the sunlight, all germs and bacteria should be killed by the UV rays, and the water should be disinfected. Cheers!

Sunlight Can Remove Clothing Stains

When UV light hits wet clothing, hydrogen peroxide is produced. Today, this substance is primarily used as a hair lightening agent and is also found in laundry detergents. Hanging damp laundry directly in the sun causes oxidation, resulting in a bleaching effect. Strong sunlight attacks the color molecules or dirt particles, breaking them down.

Only white laundry should be selected for bleaching in the sun, especially cotton and linen. Simply place the wet clothes on a flat surface in direct sunlight and leave them there for a few hours. If there are no visible effects after this time, you can help the process along with a few splashes of lemon juice.

Protect Your Favorite Shirt from Sunburn

Time is running out: the freshly washed shirt has to be dry by the evening. Of course, it’s tempting to put the garment directly in the heat. But be careful: laundry dries quickly in the sun, but it can also cause damage!

Wet laundry should generally not be left in the sun for too long and should be taken down as soon as it is dry. Wet laundry can quickly develop annoying white streaks when hung on the line. Since some detergents also contain optical brighteners, excessive exposure to sunlight can lead to yellow to green stains or even yellowing. 

Our Tip: Simply turn the garment inside out so that the front is spared from annoying lines.

You should also pay attention to thicker items of laundry: if your beloved picnic blanket gets too hot in strong sunlight, mold can form. Terry cloth textiles in particular, such as towels, can also quickly become hard in the sun. To avoid this, it is best to place the drying rack under a parasol so that the soft towel isn’t ruined.

Cleaning Windows in Direct Sunlight

If you clean your windows in bright sunshine, you will often be surprised by annoying streaks afterwards. To prevent this from happening, there are a few things to keep in mind when cleaning windows in direct sunlight:

It is very important to work quickly! The streaks are caused by a mixture of cleaning solution and dirt. If the liquid is not removed immediately, it dries in seconds and leaves marks. In addition, you should avoid using too much detergent in the water. It is perfectly sufficient to wipe the window with a conventional squeegee. It is important to wipe in one stroke from top to bottom to avoid streaks.

If any water droplets or wipe marks are still visible, they can be rubbed dry with kitchen paper or newspaper.

If you don’t have the time or energy for a thorough cleaning, especially on sunny days, then book a cleaner via Helpling. An experienced cleaner knows how to clean without leaving streaks, even in strong sunlight, and will make sure your windows are sparkling clean.