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Let Us Clean Up After Vacationers

You didn’t make the mess, why should you have to clean it up? Well, with Mighty Clean you don’t. While renting out your vacation homecomes with many benefits, one of the biggest challenges is dealing with the mess left behind by guests. While many vacationers are respectful, there are always areas that tend to be overlooked when it comes to cleaning. We offer cleaning services to take care of just that. In this month’s article, we will give some advice that we’ve seen work for those of you that own or manage a vacation rental as to some of the most common things vacationers leave dirty—and what you can do about it.

Kitchen Appliances and Dishes

The kitchen often gets the most use in a vacation home, but it’s also one of the dirtiest areas left behind.

  • Dirty dishes – Guests may leave dishes in the sink or improperly loaded in the dishwasher.
  • Oven and stovetop – Spills and grease splatters often go unnoticed or ignored.
  • Microwave – Food splatters inside the microwave are common and can be hard to clean if left too long.
  • Fridge and freezer – Some guests leave behind expired food, sticky spills, or unsealed containers.

Quick Fix: Require guests to rinse and put dishes in the dishwasher before check-out, and provide clear cleaning instructions in the welcome guide.

Bathroom Sinks, Showers, and Toilets

Even if guests do a quick wipe-down, bathrooms often need deep cleaning after each stay.

  • Toothpaste residue – Leftover toothpaste can harden on sinks and countertops.
  • Hair in drains – Showers and sinks can become clogged with hair.
  • Soap scum and water spots – Guests may not rinse shower walls or glass doors, leading to buildup.
  • Toilet messes – Some guests neglect to flush properly or fail to clean up after themselves.

Quick Fix: Provide disposable disinfectant wipes in the bathroom and request that guests tidy up before leaving.

Floors and Carpets

Even if guests remove their shoes, dirt and debris still accumulate on floors.

  • Sand and dirt – Beachgoers often track in sand, while hikers bring in dirt and mud.
  • Spilled food and drinks – Crumbs and sticky spots may go unnoticed.
  • Pet hair – If pets are allowed, hair and dander can quickly build up.

Quick Fix: Supply a broom, vacuum, and mop for guests to use, and schedule a professional deep clean regularly.

Bedding and Towels

While most guests sleep in freshly laundered sheets, they don’t always leave them in good condition.

  • Makeup stains – Towels and pillowcases often have makeup stains.
  • Unwashed linens – Some guests may not strip the bed or pile towels for easy laundry access.
  • Sweat and odors – Bedding can absorb odors, especially during the summer months.

Quick Fix: Provide makeup-removing wipes to prevent towel stains and have extra linens available to rotate between guests.

Outdoor Areas

Balconies, patios, and decks are often left in disarray after a stay.

  • Trash and food remnants – Leftover drinks, food scraps, and wrappers are common.
  • Dirty furniture – Outdoor seating can accumulate dust, pollen, or spilled drinks.
  • Cigarette butts – Even if smoking is not allowed indoors, guests may leave cigarette butts outside.

Quick Fix: Have a small outdoor trash bin available and encourage guests to clean up before departure.

Trash and Recycling

Some guests forget—or choose not—to take out the trash before leaving.

  • Overflowing bins – Guests may not take the trash out on collection days.
  • Recycling mix-ups – Items may be placed in the wrong bins.
  • Leftover food – Perishable items left in trash cans can cause odors.

Quick Fix: Leave a clear trash schedule and instructions in your guest welcome book.

Keeping Your Vacation Rental Clean and Guest-Ready

We’re confident that by implementing these strategies you’ll see improvement fast. Even the most proactive vacation homeowners can still be left with a dirty home. We said before and we’ll say it again, for those jobs just call in the pros at Mighty Clean. We will ensure your property stays in top condition and help maintain a welcoming and sanitary space for future visitors.

Posted By Mighty Clean Staff on 3-1-2025