The Summer Clean We Can’t Afford to Ignore

The Summer Clean We Can’t Afford to Ignore

By Aggie MacKenzie

As the smell of charcoal begins to drift across British gardens and aprons are dusted off with pride, it can mean only one thing: barbecue season is here. But amid the cheery sizzle of sausages and the clink of Pimm’s glasses, we may be overlooking a rather more serious issue—hygiene.

A recent study found that a surprising number of us are clinging to potentially hazardous barbecue myths. Of the 2,000 UK adults surveyed, 27% believed that “dirt adds flavour” and 15% trusted that flames alone can kill bacteria on the grill. It’s the kind of casual folklore that might make for a lively pub anecdote—but it could also land your guests in hospital.

Professor Christopher Elliott, founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, is clear: “A dirty grill is not a badge of honour – it’s a serious health risk. The belief that fire sterilises everything is a dangerous myth.”

As someone who’s spent a career encouraging people to take cleanliness seriously—not obsessively, just sensibly—I find it worrying that these old wives’ tales persist. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of basic hygiene. Yet when it comes to outdoor cooking, we’re far too happy to toss aside caution in favour of convenience.

Let’s be practical. A blackened grill coated in months-old grease isn’t “seasoned”—it’s unsanitary. Flames might burn off a top layer of visible debris, but they don’t reliably eliminate bacteria, especially those tucked away in crevices or under burnt fat deposits. And don’t even get me started on people who use the same plate for raw and cooked meat.

A good summer barbecue doesn’t need to be a military operation, but it does require care. Cleaning the grill before and after use, using a meat thermometer, and keeping raw and cooked items separate—these aren’t drastic measures; they’re basic good practice.

Of course, barbecue blunders are just one part of the wider seasonal slip in cleanliness. Summer tends to lull us into a relaxed state of mind. We open the windows, we drift outside, and we assume the fresh air will do the heavy lifting. But higher temperatures and longer days bring their own unique hygiene challenges.

Fridges are under pressure, running warmer than usual as doors are opened more frequently and fresh food is stored in bulk. If you haven’t checked the seals, the drip trays, or the back shelves lately, now’s the time. The same goes for bins—odours intensify in the heat and flies appear as if summoned by magic. A regular disinfectant rinse and a scoop of bicarbonate of soda can help more than you’d think.

Then there’s the overlooked realm of outdoor furniture, which can be covered in invisible film of pollen, bird droppings, and last year’s algae. A bucket of soapy water and a few minutes of effort will not only make your garden more inviting—it’ll make it safer too.

Even inside, summer can take its toll. Dust and pollen cling to extractor fans, open windows usher in insects, and higher humidity creates the perfect environment for mould. And if you have pets, the combination of shedding fur and warm weather makes for a very particular housekeeping challenge.

The point here isn’t to nag. It’s to remind ourselves that cleanliness—done properly—is not about chasing an unattainable ideal. It’s about creating a safe and comfortable space, whether you’re serving a feast for friends or just enjoying a quiet lunch in the garden.

So this summer, by all means light the coals, pop open the rosé, and enjoy the great British barbecue. But do it with a clean grill, a cool fridge, and a bit of common sense. Good hygiene doesn’t take the joy out of summer—it helps preserve it.

Aggie MacKenzie is a cleaning expert and broadcaster best known for How Clean Is Your House? She is the author of several books on domestic life and hygiene.