How to Clean the Top 10 Overlooked Surfaces in a Vacation Rental

Cleanliness is highly valued by vacation rental guests, as it provides comfort, relaxation, and an overall quality experience. For this reason, it’s critical to know how to tackle the most commonly missed cleaning spots at your property. In this article, learn cleaning tips for 10 overlooked areas in your short-term rental so you can maintain an immaculate property all year round.

What Are Some Overlooked Surfaces to Keep Clean in a Vacation Rental?

No matter how many times and how thoroughly your vacation rental property gets cleaned, there are spots extremely prone to accumulating dust, dirt, and grime. These areas, which include baseboards, light switches, and throw pillows, should never be missed during a turnover.

Prioritizing cleanliness is not just a best practice — it is crucial to the success of your short-term rental. Tackling these commonly missed areas can help your business flourish and gain more positive reviews.

Whether you are cleaning your own vacation rental or managing professionals who do the cleaning for you, the tips below will help you enhance your turnover routine so that your property always lives up to guests' high expectations.

How to Clean 10 Commonly Missed Spots in an Airbnb

It’s easy to remember to clean larger, more visible areas, such as countertops, furniture, and floors, but there are areas in your short-term rental that don’t get as much love. Keeping every corner of your property clean is key to ensuring proper hygiene and guest satisfaction.

Below is a guide on how to best tackle the 10 most commonly forgotten surfaces in an Airbnb.

1. Ceiling Fans

Removing built-up dust on ceiling fans can be messy and get dust everywhere else. The trick is to use a clean pillowcase.

Simply insert a fan blade into the pillowcase, use your hand to press the cloth onto the blades, and pull outwards. Repeat until each blade is cleaned. The pillowcase will catch all accumulated dust, leaving no particles on the floor.

2. Baseboards

First, use a vacuum cleaner brush attachment and vacuum along the length of the baseboards to remove dirt and dust. Then, dip a sponge or any soft cloth into a mixture of warm water, liquid soap, and vinegar and scrub scuffs and tough stains. Use cotton swabs for remaining residue on hard-to-reach spots.

As a bonus tip, keep your baseboards clean as long as possible by rubbing them with a dryer sheet to repel static that attracts dust.

3. Light Switches

Remember to clean light switches safely since they have a connection to an electrical source — introducing the risk of shock or electrocution. Never spray or wipe liquid cleaning solution directly on them.

The best way to clean a light switch is to use a soft cloth and dampen it with either water or a liquid cleaner, such as Mr. Clean or 409. Then, begin wiping the light switch cover with care to disinfect and remove dust.

4. Grout

Because grout has a porous composition, it is extremely prone to staining. To get rid of dirt and grime on grout lines, simply spray warm water, scrub in a circular motion, and let it dry. Be careful not to use too much water or let it sit on the grout for too long as it could lead to mildew.

If the grout has heavy staining, spray a mixture of equal parts vinegar with warm water. Leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing.

5. Throw Pillows

Throw pillows can easily collect dust, sweat, bacteria, and allergens. To clean throw pillows without wearing out the materials, it is best to run them in the dryer for about ten minutes. This process will remove dust and dirt.

For a deeper clean, it is advised to throw a wet towel in the dryer with the pillows. This will create steam, eliminating bacteria and built-up grime.

6. Blinds

Blinds can grow mold and mildew and trap allergens if neglected. To properly clean blinds, begin by closing them, then gently wipe each piece with a microfiber cloth. Next, open the blinds and wipe over them again. Vacuum any remaining dust and debris with the vacuum attachment.

7. Underneath Large Appliances

The spaces underneath the refrigerator, kitchen stove, and other appliances can collect dust, mold, and bits of food that may attract pests.

To clean under your large appliances, make sure they’re unplugged, then use a broom or vacuum to dislodge dirt and pieces of food stuck underneath them. If needed, a cloth or old toothbrush can be used to remove any tough dirt and grease.

8. Coffee Maker

Debris from the beans and lime deposits build up inside coffee machines. To properly clean your coffee maker, start by emptying and rinsing the pot and dumping out any coffee grounds left in the filter.

Mix one part water and one part vinegar and pour it into the water chamber. Start a brew cycle and turn it off midway. Let it sit for an hour, then let the brew cycle finish.

Once the brew cycle has been completed, run a freshwater cycle at least twice. Don’t forget to wipe down the exterior of the machine, and wash the coffee pot and filter basket with soapy water.

9. Doors

Doors are the first thing guests see when they check in. If they’re visually dirty, especially the exterior door, it can instantly ruin a first impression. Prevent that from happening by cleaning them consistently.

To effectively clean interior doors, use a duster, soft cloth, or vacuum to remove dust on the top edge of the door frame. Then, use a spot cleaner and rag to remove smudges and fingerprints on the door itself. Don’t forget to use a spray cleaner and rag to clean the doorknobs.

10. TV Remotes

TV remotes can accumulate thousands of colonies of bacteria and yeast, which make them 15 to 20 times dirtier than a toilet seat. Some people even use the remote while eating snacks, which can make it greasy.

To clean remote controls for TVs, smart appliances, and other devices, first, remove the batteries. Then, use a toothbrush to brush away all debris from in and around the buttons. Next, spray a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol onto a soft cloth and give the remote control several wipes. Before replacing or testing the batteries, wipe the battery compartment as well.

Need Help With Your Vacation Rental Cleaning?

Whether you’re a host doing the cleaning yourself, or a professional vacation rental cleaner, remember to clean the 10 commonly overlooked items mentioned above to help you achieve top-tier service for every guest.

If you want to learn more about simplifying your short-term rental cleaning, check out TurnoverBnB, a premier automation tool for scheduling, managing, and paying for cleaning services.