As temperature and humidity rise, vacation rentals face a growing number of cleaning and management challenges, including insect infestations, unpleasant odors, and mold growth.

In this article, we’ll cover “10 Things to Watch Out for When Cleaning Vacation Rentals During the Warm Season,” offering practical tips and countermeasures. By addressing points that are often overlooked in routine cleaning, you can maintain and even boost guest satisfaction. Be sure to read through to the end.

1. Check Your Cooling System and Air Conditioner Filters

During the warm season, air conditioner usage increases dramatically. When dust and mold build up in the internal filters, it not only reduces operating efficiency but can also lead to odor and hygiene issues.

• Regular filter cleaning
  Before the season starts, remove the filters, wash them thoroughly, and let them dry completely before reinstalling. Check periodically for dust buildup.
• Test run the cooling system
  If the air conditioner doesn’t work properly when guests arrive, it can lead to serious complaints. Run a test in advance to check temperature control and listen for any unusual noises.

2. Strengthen Your Mold and Moisture Prevention

During the warm season, humidity tends to rise, sharply increasing the risk of mold growth. Bathrooms, kitchens, and air conditioner interiors are especially prone to becoming breeding grounds for mold when both temperature and humidity are high, so thorough cleaning and ventilation are essential.

• Bathroom mold removal
  Thoroughly check often-overlooked areas such as tile grout, around the showerhead, and deep in the drain. Use a dedicated mold remover to eliminate mold early, and ventilate thoroughly so no odor remains before guests arrive.
• Moisture control under the kitchen and sink
  Regularly open cabinet doors under the kitchen sink to ventilate and prevent moisture buildup. For long-term guests, letting them know to “occasionally open the cabinet doors to air them out” can help suppress mold growth.
• Install dehumidifiers or moisture absorbers
  If the room or closets feel damp, placing dehumidifiers or moisture-absorbing products can be highly effective. Closets in particular require attention, since mold can transfer unpleasant odors to guests’ clothing—a common source of guest dissatisfaction.

3. Take Thorough Pest Control Measures

Warmer weather tends to bring out cockroaches, small insects, and mosquitoes. If guests report seeing bugs, it can cause your reviews to drop sharply, making it essential to implement thorough preventive measures in advance.

• Handling food waste and leftovers
  Empty trash bins frequently, and never leave food waste sitting out. It also helps to clearly instruct guests to “dispose of trash in the lidded trash can.”
• Sealing entry points for pests
  Check for gaps around windows and doors, as well as torn mesh on vents, and repair as needed. Attaching an insect-prevention cap to the air conditioner’s drain hose is also effective.
• Providing insecticides and mosquito-repelling products
  For guests who are sensitive to bugs, having insecticide spray, mosquito coils, or mosquito repellent mats on hand offers extra peace of mind. That said, some guests may be sensitive to strong scents, so be thoughtful about placement and usage instructions.

4. Inspect Drains and Plumbing in Water-Use Areas

As temperatures rise, odors coming from drains and plumbing can intensify. If guests notice unpleasant smells in the bathroom or kitchen, their discomfort can significantly impact reviews—so regular inspection and maintenance are essential.

• Cleaning with pipe cleaner
  Using a pipe cleaner on bathroom and kitchen drains about once a week can help reduce odors caused by slime and hair buildup.
• Preventing dried-out drain traps
  Odors can rise up when a drain trap dries out, so for properties that haven’t been used in a while, be sure to run water before check-in to refill the trap.
• Replacing drain strainers or covers
  If buildup is severe, regularly replacing the drain strainer with a new one—paying attention to even small parts—can help contain odors.

5. Clean and Deodorize the Refrigerator and Freezer

During the warm season, food spoils more easily, and guests often leave the refrigerator in an unsanitary state. Be sure to check inside the refrigerator and freezer during post-checkout cleaning, carefully looking for any abandoned food, mold, or slimy residue.

• Wiping down the interior
  Remove the shelves and parts to wash them, and disinfect surfaces with alcohol. Pay special attention to spilled liquids, as they can produce strong odors if left behind.
• Using activated charcoal or deodorizers
  Placing a refrigerator deodorizer helps absorb odors and prevents discomfort for the next guest who opens the door.
• Guiding guests
  For long-term guests, it’s helpful to let them know in advance that “leaving food unattended can cause spoilage and odors, so please dispose of it regularly.”

6. Indoor Odor Control and Ventilation

6-1. Addressing Air Conditioner Odors

When dust accumulates in the air conditioner’s filters and heat exchanger, a musty smell can emerge when the unit is turned on. Since cooling is used heavily from spring through summer, be sure to clean the filters before the season begins to eliminate the source of the odor.

6-2. Washing Fabric Items and Swapping Covers

Fabric items like cushions and rugs tend to absorb sweat and moisture easily, making them prone to trapping odors and bacteria. This is especially true in summer, so washing them regularly and swapping out covers helps maintain a fresh impression. Simply spraying fabric deodorizer often isn’t enough—frequent washing is usually necessary.

6-3. Regular Ventilation and Air Purifiers

Keeping windows closed during the warm season can trap stale air and cause unpleasant odors to build up. After checkout or during cleaning, open the windows to ventilate the space and refresh the air throughout the room. Installing an air purifier is another good option, but be sure not to forget about filter replacement.

7. Preventing Mold and Dust Mites

7-1. Humidity Control and Using Dehumidifiers

High room humidity during the rainy season and summer can lead to the growth of not just mold, but dust mites as well. Guest complaints about mite bites can be serious, so it’s a good idea to install and run dehumidifiers in high-humidity areas. Making good use of your air conditioner’s dehumidifying function can also improve comfort.

7-2. Sun-Drying Bedding and Frequent Linen Changes

Dust mites tend to hide in futons, mattresses, and similar items, so if possible, sun-drying bedding on clear days can help reduce mites through heat and UV exposure. If that’s not practical, consider using mite-proof covers or changing linens more frequently than usual. Above all, it’s important to create an experience where guests can genuinely feel that the space is clean.

8. Balancing Cooling Efficiency and Electricity Costs

During the warm season, guests often leave the air conditioner running continuously, which can lead to a significant increase in electricity costs. On the other hand, restricting the temperature settings too much can lead to guest complaints like “it’s not cool enough at all.” It’s a good idea to use the air conditioner’s eco mode and combine it with a circulator to help circulate cool air more effectively, improving cooling efficiency while keeping electricity costs down.

• Heat-blocking window film
  This blocks direct summer sunlight and helps prevent the room temperature from rising.
• Using blinds and curtains strategically
  Closing blackout curtains during the hours of strongest sunlight can reduce indoor heat buildup, easing the load on the air conditioner.

9. Supporting Cleaning Staff and Ensuring Their Safety

9-1. Preventing Heatstroke

Cleaning staff working in summer are often forced to work without fans or air conditioning. To help prevent heatstroke, it’s essential to ensure staff stay hydrated and take regular breaks—owners and management companies alike should be mindful of their staff’s health and wellbeing.
If the property does have air conditioning, allowing staff to use it temporarily during cleaning can help create a better working environment, which in turn boosts staff motivation and helps maintain quality.

9-2. Storing Cleaning Supplies

In summer, cleaning detergents and supplies are also affected by high heat and humidity. Leaving them in direct sunlight or in a hot storage area can cause equipment to deteriorate or reduce the effectiveness of cleaning agents. Keeping a dedicated storage box or cool storage area on hand to extend the lifespan of your equipment can also help lower costs.

10. Conclusion: Maintain and Boost Guest Satisfaction with Warm-Season Cleaning

When it comes to running a vacation rental during the warm season, the key is to prevent insects, mold, and odors while thoroughly managing temperature and hygiene so guests can enjoy a comfortable stay.

Specifically, it’s important to proactively prevent summer-specific issues by addressing mold in the air conditioner and bathroom, blocking pest entry points, and maintaining drains. In addition, providing cleaning staff with heatstroke prevention guidance and efficient work manuals helps balance hygiene with safety.

By implementing these measures thoroughly, guests will be able to enjoy their summer stay comfortably, which in turn leads to better reviews and repeat bookings. Especially during the hottest months, attentive, detail-oriented cleaning is often the deciding factor in earning guests’ trust in your property.

Let Stay Buddy Inc. Handle Your Warm-Season Vacation Rental Cleaning

If you’re looking to achieve smoother vacation rental management—including warm-season cleaning, pest and odor control, and staff management—please feel free to reach out to Stay Buddy Inc.

Drawing on the insights gained from successfully managing numerous vacation rental properties, we offer comprehensive support—from designing optimal cleaning manuals and schedules, to staff training, and risk management for noise and hygiene issues. Why not build a management system that consistently earns great reviews even during the hottest months, creating a vacation rental experience that’s comfortable for both guests and hosts? We look forward to hearing from you.