Summer will be here before you know it, meaning more days basking in the sun, salty ocean spray and beach-goers soaking up every inch of vacation life. The time between spring and summer is ideal for vacation property owners to prepare and plan.

Because vacation homes are only operational for a portion of the year, their upkeep will look slightly different than a traditional rental property. Rooms might go weeks or months without cleaning or dusting if you don’t have the chance to visit during the winter.

You must also be aware of unique cleaning challenges. Will you and your guests track in tiny sand particles? Does your floor react well to dripping-wet beach-goers? How well is the house fortified against hurricanes and flooding? Ensuring your home is ready means offering a more specialized look into maintenance and renovation. 

Whether you are preparing for a booked schedule of guests or your private vacation, these tips will help you arrange the perfect summer getaway.

1. Refresh Cooling and Water Systems

It’s the hottest time of the year, so you and your guests need proper cooling systems. Replacing air and water filters or completing deep cleaning gives the home that extra boost of freshness. 

Break a sweat now to keep the cool breezes and positive reviews flowing with these key tasks:

• Replace air filters and dust off units

• Flush water heater

• Empty washing machine and dryer hoses and ducts

• Clean refrigerator coils and wash filter

• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

2. Perform Key Renovations

How did your home fair during the winter? Perform a close inspection and compile a list of repairs and renovations. You can manage some things yourself, such as painting, refreshing caulk and grout, and replacing filters. 

However, some more advanced projects will need a professional touch to ensure everyone’s safety, such as pest control, electrics, water damage and roofing. Damage to these areas of the home could be unsanitary or dangerous for residents, so it is best to tackle large-scale repairs right away. 

You’ll want to check and update your insurance policy during this process. Is there a persistent leaky roof dripping in the hallway? There is a chance your policy may cover this repair since the house is in a hurricane-prone area. However, if the cause stems from a lack of maintenance, most policies will not cover repairs to the roof. Avoid this costly event by exploring storm protection and cleaning gutters regularly.

3. Dive Into Deep Cleaning

A holiday home is not lived-in year round, so you must invite welcoming energy back into the house. Dust accumulates, lights are off and previous guests might have left trash under the couches. A deep cleaning will refresh and prepare your home for summer. 

A deep cleaning reaches every part of a home, including inside appliances, underneath and behind furniture, and across floors. Spend extra time on high-traffic areas that need the most attention, such as kitchen counters or showers. 

Washing, dusting and sweeping can be a monumental task if you have a large vacation home, so you may want to employ professional cleaners.

4. Replace Linens and Pillows

There are so many fabrics in your vacation home, and they all need a refresh. Are gunk and old food stuck to oven mitts and kitchen towels? If a good run through the washing machine isn’t doing the trick, it may be time to buy a new set. 

Bath towels and mats are in the same boat. All it takes is one mascara stain to leave a lasting mark. Everybody loves fluffy and luxurious towels and sheets, too. Offering these pleasant amenities takes the vacation experience up a notch and into extravagance. 

Take stock of your pillows, as well. Even the nicest ones fall flat and lumpy over time. There’s nothing like letting your head sink into a soft, clean pillow at night, so hit the stores for a fresh set. 

5. Renew Kitchen Wares

One of the benefits of staying in a vacation home rather than a hotel is the ability to cook. Eating out is enjoyable but can be expensive after a while. Now is the perfect time to update any chipped and cracked plates or glasses. 

If your holiday home features a packed guest list, it’s probably time to invest in a new kitchen set of pots, pans and cooking utensils. Someone may accidentally scratch a nonstick pan or leave a plastic spoon a little too close to the burner. Accidents happen, and replacement is all part of this business.

Bring your vacation home kitchen to the next level by investing in a fresh spice set so guests can enjoy various flavors.

6. Spruce up the Backyard

Your outdoor spaces need just as much love as the interior. Set aside a cooler afternoon for landscaping tasks like mowing the lawn, de-weeding the sidewalk and pruning trees. 

If you know you won’t be far away from the holiday home, plant flowers or flowering bushes to enjoy the luscious sights all summer. Just make sure to come back for watering or leave notes about care for your guests. 

Remember to bring the seats and pillows out from storage if your home has a porch area with seating.

Preparing the Perfect Getaway

Prep and maintenance are sometimes not the most fun activities, but they are necessary parts of life. With a little hard work, you promise clean and refreshing getaways for you and your guest list all summer long. Be sure to take pictures of your upgrades so interested parties can see just how ready and welcoming your vacation home is this summer.