Best Practices for Cleaning Outdoor Spaces This Summer

When the sun comes out, so do the crowds! Summer brings a boost in footfall to many outdoor spaces, with everything from beer gardens and café terraces to event venues and pop-up retail spaces seeing increased activity. While the warmer weather is great for business, it also presents new cleaning challenges. From food waste and sticky spills to unpredictable weather and high-traffic usage, it’s important to stay on top of outdoor hygiene. Cleanliness not only protects your reputation but also ensures the health and safety of your workers and customers.

Take a look at our best practices for cleaning outdoor spaces this summer.

Seasonal, temporary and summer-friendly spaces

Outdoor venues thrive in the summer, offering a much more appealing alternative to indoor settings. But temporary seating areas, festival sites, street food courts, and al fresco dining spaces all require specific care. These spaces are particularly vulnerable to litter, pest activity and rapid grime build-up, especially when combined with warm temperatures. Add in unpredictable summer weather, and you’ve got a cleaning challenge on your hands!

Because many summer venues are temporary or adapted from existing outdoor areas, they may not be as easy to clean. Uneven surfaces, limited water supply and difficulty accessing waste disposal points can complicate day-to-day hygiene tasks. That’s why adopting a proactive and flexible cleaning strategy is essential during the summer months.

What are your responsibilities as a business owner?

As a business owner operating an outdoor space, you have a duty of care to customers, staff, and the wider public. This includes ensuring your environment is clean, safe and compliant with regulations such as:

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: which requires all employers to ensure the health and safety of their employees and anyone affected by their operations.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990: which includes a duty of care regarding waste disposal and cleanliness.
Local council bylaws or conditions on licences for outdoor trading or events, which may include rules about litter management, pest control and cleaning routines.

Failing to meet these standards can result in fines, while also leading to poor customer experiences and negative word of mouth.

Best practices for cleaning outdoor spaces in summer

While maintaining your outdoor space can be challenge, it doesn’t have to be impossible. With proper care and a solid routine, you can ensure your premises is clean and welcoming for all.

Carry out regular litter sweeps

Frequent litter picking throughout the day prevents waste build-up and discourages pests. Prioritise high-traffic areas such as entrances, seating zones and near bins. Schedule deeper cleans at quieter times to tackle stubborn messes and reach under furniture or behind temporary structures. A cleaning rota can be a big help in ensuring litter is cleaned routinely.

Use weather-appropriate cleaning products

Summer can bring both intense sun and sudden downpours. Choose cleaning solutions that are effective in high temperatures and won’t degrade with UV exposure. Avoid using products that become slippery when wet, especially in areas with high footfall.

Keep waste areas tidy and odour-free

Warm weather accelerates the breakdown of food and drink waste, leading to unpleasant smells and increased pest risk. Make sure bins are emptied frequently, lined with appropriate liners and placed away from dining areas. If possible, use bins with lids to contain smells and discourage insects.

Maintain flooring and walkways

Outdoor flooring can take a beating in the summer. Pressure washing can remove grime, moss and sticky spills, but always check the suitability of surfaces before use. Non-slip matting can also help reduce accident risks and is easier to clean between uses.

Prioritise washroom access and hygiene

If your venue offers outdoor events, ensure washroom facilities are well-stocked and regularly cleaned. Temporary toilets should be monitored closely to avoid unpleasant odours or overflows. Make hand sanitising stations available outdoors, especially near food or drink areas. Don’t forget to stock up on toilet roll and replenish it regularly to keep customers happy.

Schedule deep cleans between events

Outdoor events often result in more intensive mess than day-to-day use. Plan time between events for deep cleaning, including disinfecting surfaces, replenishing consumables and resetting furniture.

Maintaining your outdoor space this summer with phs

phs understands the unique pressures of summer trading. From expert hygiene services to outdoor waste management and washroom support, we help businesses stay clean, compliant and customer-ready – at any time of year. Whether you run a festival site, café terrace or seasonal retail space, our products can help you maintain a high standard of cleanliness throughout the summer season and beyond.

Speak to our team today to learn how phs can help your outdoor business shine this summer.