How to Handle Special Holiday Home Cleaning Challenges

How to Handle Special Holiday Home Cleaning Challenges

Running a short-term rental can be amazing. Happy guests, great reviews, and a steady income. But when it comes to the not-so-glamorous side like cleaning up after a group of messy guests or tackling a post-pet-hair explosion it can feel overwhelming.

Holiday home cleaning comes with its fair share of special challenges, and if you’re a host or holiday home cleaner, you’ve probably seen it all. From unexpected breakages to sandy floors that never seem to end, knowing how to tackle each situation efficiently can save time, stress, and your sanity.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to handle the most common (and annoying!) holiday home cleaning challenges with ease, professionalism, and a good bit of know-how. Whether you’re doing it yourself or using holiday home cleaning services, these tips will help you keep things sparkling.

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1. Handling Excessive Untidiness

Sometimes guests treat your holiday home like their personal party pad and cleaning up afterwards is anything but fun.

Signs of a party aftermath:

• Spilled drinks on counters or carpets
• Sticky kitchen floors
• Trash left everywhere
• Furniture moved or damaged

How to handle it:

• Start by airing out the property. Open windows and doors to get rid of any smells.
• Collect and remove all rubbish first. This makes the rest feel more manageable.
• Use an enzyme-based cleaner on stains and spills especially if they’re sticky or sugary.
• Set furniture back in its original layout (your photos are your guide here).
• For any damage, document everything and notify the guest platform ASAP.

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Keep a checklist for your post-party clean-up. A methodical approach saves loads of time.

2. Cleaning Up Pet Hair and Odours

We all love pets… but their fur, smells, and occasional “accidents” aren’t always welcome after checkout.

What you’re up against:

• Hair embedded in rugs, couches, and curtains
• Pet smells that linger
• Scratches on furniture or doors
• Urine spots

What works best:

• Invest in a high-powered vacuum designed to lift pet hair (like a Shark or Dyson).
• Use a lint roller or rubber glove for furniture – it grabs hair like a magnet.
• Spray soft furnishings with a pet odour eliminator.
• Use an enzymatic cleaner for any pee spots on carpets or upholstery.
• Wash throws, pet beds, or covers at high heat with baking soda for extra freshness.

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Consider pet-specific cleaning fees and a strict pet policy. Clear communication keeps surprises at bay.

3. Dealing with Beach Stays

Beachside holiday homes are dreamy until you’re vacuuming up sand for days.

The sandy truth:

• Sand gets everywhere. Floors, showers, even in beds.
• It can clog drains and damage floor surfaces over time.

Smart cleaning solutions:

• Start with dry cleaning (vacuum, sweep) before introducing any mops or water.
• Use a handheld vacuum to target tight corners or couch crevices.
• Shake out rugs and mats outside before washing them.
• Wipe down all surfaces, even ones you wouldn’t expect sand to reach.

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Encourage guests to rinse off before entering. A well-placed outdoor shower or hose can seriously reduce sand inside the house.

4. Breakages and Spills

Accidents happen. Guests might knock over a lamp, break a plate, or even damage a piece of furniture.

Common culprits:

• Smashed glassware
• Broken appliances or remote controls
• Water rings or burns on wooden furniture

What to do:

• Document everything with photos before cleaning up.
• Dispose of broken items safely (especially glass).
• Use gentle surface cleaners to lift watermarks.
• Reach out to the guest or platform if major damage needs compensation.

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Have a small inventory of replacement items (like wine glasses or lightbulbs) to reduce downtime between bookings.

5. Long-Term Guest Challenges: Grime Builds Over Time

A weekend guest might leave a few crumbs. A guest who stays three weeks? That’s when grime builds up.

What to expect:

• Greasy kitchens
• Built-up soap scum and hair in the bathroom
• Stained linens and worn-out towels
• More wear-and-tear overall

How to approach it:

• Schedule a deeper clean than usual. Block out more time.
• Use degreasers in the kitchen and vinegar-based solutions for bathroom limescale.
• Strip beds completely and wash everything, including mattress protectors and duvets.
• Check for maintenance issues: clogged drains, loose fittings, or overused furniture.

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Offering a mid-stay clean for long-term guests keeps things under control and gives your property a professional edge.

6. Mystery Smells? How to Banish Bad Odours

Smells are sneaky. They hide in carpets, drains, fridges, and upholstery and they can seriously ruin the guest experience.

The usual suspects:

• Fridge or food smells
• Musty rooms from lack of airflow
• Bathroom drain odours
• Cigarette smoke or strong perfume

Odour-busting tricks:

• Use baking soda in the fridge and on carpets before vacuuming.
• Open windows to flush out air as you clean.
• Run vinegar or lemon water down the drains.
• Use a fabric refresher spray on sofas and curtains.

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Add a subtle air freshener or essential oil diffuser just before check-in for that “fresh and clean” wow factor.

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7. Allergens, Dust & Deep Cleaning

Not all dirt is visible. Allergy-sensitive guests will appreciate a space that’s properly deep-cleaned between stays.

Key areas:

• Dust on high shelves and fan blades
• Pollen or mold spores in windowsills
• Mites in bedding
• Dirty air conditioning or heating filters

What to include in a deep clean:

• Wipe all skirting boards, vents, blinds, and inside window tracks
• Wash all linens in hot water—even pillow protectors
• Vacuum mattresses and under furniture
• Change or clean air filters regularly

Holiday home cleaning tip:

A quarterly deep clean schedule is ideal for holiday home cleaning to stay fresh and guest-ready.

8. When to Call in the Pros: Holiday Home Cleaning Services

Sometimes the DIY approach just isn’t enough especially when time is tight between bookings or you’re managing multiple properties.

Here’s when to consider hiring a holiday home cleaning service:

• You want to guarantee a consistent, professional clean every time
• You’re too far from the property to handle cleans yourself
• Guests are arriving same-day
• There’s a tricky mess you’re not equipped to handle (e.g., mould, biohazards)

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Look for cleaners who specialise in holiday home cleaning services – not just regular domestic cleaners. They’ll know how to turn over a property quickly, restock essentials, and spot things others might miss. Bonus points if they work with scheduling software like Changeover (😉), which helps to automate cleaning and keeps everything smooth and on time.

9. Stocked & Ready: Prepping for a Smoother Clean

The best way to handle special cleaning challenges? Be prepared. Having a stocked cleaning cupboard makes everything easier.

Must-have items for your holiday home cleaning kit:

• High-quality vacuum (with pet and sand attachments)
• Microfiber cloths
• Enzyme-based stain removers
• All-purpose cleaner
• Baking soda & vinegar
• Lint roller
• Mop and bucket
• Disposable gloves
• Spare bulbs, batteries, and basic tools

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Having the right tools at hand makes your life (or your cleaner’s life) so much easier.

10. Bonus: Holiday Home Cleaning Checklist

Want to avoid cleaning overwhelm? Create a standard checklist for each clean then tailor it when special challenges arise.

Checklist essentials:

• Strip and replace all bed linens
• Disinfect all surfaces (don’t forget light switches and remotes!)
• Vacuum/mop all floors, rugs, and under furniture
• Clean and restock kitchen and bathroom supplies
• Take out rubbish and recycling
• Check for damages and document if needed
• Open windows to freshen up
• Leave a welcome touch (note, treat, or guest info booklet)

Holiday home cleaning tip:

Make this part of your process whether you’re a solo host or using a holiday home cleaning service. It keeps standards high and consistency spot-on.

In Summary

Holiday home cleaning doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With the right tools, tricks, and mindset, you can tackle even the messiest situations like a pro. Whether it’s a sand-covered floor or a surprise party clean-up, every challenge is manageable with a plan.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be afraid to call in expert holiday home cleaning services. They’ll take the load off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most—delivering a five-star stay.

Useful Links:

Changeover – Automated cleaning scheduling for holiday lets

Pet Odour Neutraliser from Ecover

Which? Guide to the Best Vacuum Cleaners