A holiday let needs two kinds of cleaning: a consistent turnover clean between every guest, and a deeper seasonal clean a few times a year that deals with what changeovers miss. The seasonal jobs change through the year. Spring is about resetting after winter, summer about coping with heavy use, autumn about preparing for damp, and winter about heating, ventilation and quieter weeks for bigger tasks.
This guide breaks the year into four seasons, with practical checklists for each, so your property feels fresh to every guest whatever the month.
Why does a holiday let need seasonal cleaning at all?
Turnover cleans are tight on time. They cover the essentials: kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, floors, bins and a reset of each room. What they rarely reach are the slow-building jobs: grease on extractor filters, limescale inside the kettle and shower head, dust on top of wardrobes, marks on walls and the build-up under sofa cushions. Guests notice these things, and they are often what reviews mention.
Planning a deeper clean around the seasons means you tackle each job when it makes most sense, and it stops small problems turning into expensive ones.
What should a spring clean for a holiday let include?
Spring is the natural reset before the busier months. Focus on the jobs that winter leaves behind:
- Windows and frames. Clean glass inside and, where safe, outside. Wipe condensation marks and check seals and sills for black spots of mould.
- Curtains and blinds. Wash or vacuum according to the care label. Dust slats one by one.
- Soft furnishings. Vacuum sofas, headboards and cushions, and consider a professional carpet or upholstery clean if traffic has left marks.
- Mattresses. Vacuum both sides, rotate them, and check protectors for wear.
- Outdoor spaces. Sweep patios, wash garden furniture and clear leaves from drains and doorways.
How do you keep a holiday let fresh through summer?
Summer brings back-to-back bookings, sand, sun cream and barbecue grease. Changeovers get shorter, so preparation matters:
- Stock up. Keep spare cleaning cloths, bin liners and consumables on site so nothing slows a changeover.
- Protect floors at the entrance. A good washable doormat stops much of the grit and sand spreading through the house.
- Check the fridge properly. Guests often leave food behind. Empty and wipe shelves and door seals every stay.
- Keep the barbecue clean. Scrape grills after each guest and empty ash once cold.
- Watch the bathrooms. More showers mean more limescale and soap scum. Descale taps and shower screens regularly rather than letting it build.
- Book a mid-season deep clean if the calendar allows a gap, to catch what quick turnovers miss.
What jobs belong in an autumn clean?
Autumn is when damp starts to show. Cooler air means more condensation, especially in bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms that sit empty between stays.
- Check for mould. Look behind furniture against outside walls, on window reveals and around the bath and shower. Deal with small patches early and find the cause.
- Clean extractor fans and vents. Blocked vents trap moisture. Remove dust from grilles and wash kitchen hood filters if they are washable.
- Service the oven. Summer cooking leaves plenty of grease. A proper oven clean now keeps the kitchen presentable all winter.
- Sort the gutters and outside drains before leaves pile up.
- Refresh bedding stores. Make sure spare duvets and pillows are clean, dry and stored in breathable bags.
How should you clean a holiday let in winter?
Winter can mean quieter weeks and longer gaps, which is the ideal time for bigger jobs. It also brings its own risks when a property stands empty.
- Ventilate between stays. Open windows for a while during each visit, and consider leaving heating on a low setting to reduce condensation.
- Run taps and flush toilets if the property has been empty, to keep water fresh.
- Clean high and hidden areas. Tops of cupboards, light fittings, behind the fridge and under beds all benefit from a thorough clean when there is time.
- Look after the fireplace or wood burner if you have one. Remove cold ash and wipe the glass with a suitable product.
- Protect floors from wet boots and salt with mats and a clear place for coats and shoes.
Always use cleaning products as the label directs, keep rooms ventilated while you work, and never combine bleach with ammonia-based or acidic products.
How can you make seasonal cleaning easier to manage?
A simple system saves hours over the year:
- Keep a written checklist for turnovers and a separate one for each season, so nothing depends on memory.
- Block out dates in your booking calendar for deeper cleans before they fill up.
- Note problems as you find them. A dripping tap or a patch of damp is cheaper to fix early.
- Read your reviews for clues. If a guest mentions dust or a smell, add that area to the next seasonal clean.
Need help keeping up?
Many hosts manage turnovers themselves but bring in help when bookings stack up or a deeper clean is due. SN Cleaning Services offers holiday let and Airbnb cleaning across London and Essex, from £24 per hour, carried out by our own trained cleaners who are insured and DBS-checked. We use professional products and equipment, and if anything is missed we will re-clean it within 24 hours. To see a price, click Get a quote and enter your postcode and email.