The guests have gone home. You loved having them, but now your home needs some attention. Many Florida homeowners host family escaping winter weather. Here's how to get your home back to normal quickly.
What to Clean First
Don't try to do everything at once. Tackle these areas in order:
Kitchen
Clean dishes, empty fridge of leftovers, sanitize surfaces
Guest Bathroom
Sanitize toilet, clean shower, wash all towels
Guest Bedroom
Strip beds, collect all linens, vacuum and dust
Living Areas
Vacuum furniture, clean floors, straighten up
Guest Room Reset
Linens & Bedding
- Strip all sheets and pillowcases
- Wash blankets and comforters
- Wash or air out pillows
- Check mattress for stains
- Vacuum mattress before remaking
Room Cleaning
- Check under bed for forgotten items
- Empty trash and check drawers
- Dust all surfaces
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Wipe light switches and door handles
Guest Bathroom Deep Clean
This room needs thorough attention after guests:
- Sanitize toilet - inside, outside, and base
- Scrub shower walls and floor
- Clean tub and drain
- Wash shower curtain and liner
- Clean sink and vanity
- Wash all towels, bath mats, and rugs
- Mop floors
- Empty and clean trash can
- Restock toilet paper and soap
Kitchen Recovery
Hosting usually means lots of cooking. Here's how to reset:
Immediate Tasks
- • Wash all dishes and cookware
- • Throw out leftover food you won't eat
- • Clean out fridge - check dates
- • Take out trash and recycling
- • Wipe down counters and stovetop
Same-Week Tasks
- • Clean oven if used heavily
- • Degrease range hood
- • Clean microwave inside
- • Wipe cabinet fronts
- • Mop floors thoroughly
Living Area Refresh
Living Room
- • Vacuum couch cushions and under them
- • Fluff and arrange throw pillows
- • Dust all surfaces
- • Clean remote controls
- • Vacuum or mop floors
- • Clean any glass or mirror surfaces
Lanai/Florida Room
- • Wipe down outdoor furniture
- • Sweep or hose floors
- • Clean up any food or drink spills
- • Empty outdoor trash
- • Return cushions to proper places
- • Remove cobwebs
Florida Guest Visit Extras
Hosting northern visitors in Florida creates unique cleanup needs:
- Sunscreen stains - Check furniture and towels for sunscreen residue. Treat before washing.
- Pool area - Clean up wet towels, check chemicals, hose down deck.
- Bug spray cleanup - Wipe surfaces where bug spray may have been used.
- AC filters - Check AC filters if guests ran the AC constantly.
- Garage - If guests parked inside, sweep out any debris or dirt.
Post-Guest Laundry Plan
You'll have a lot of laundry. Here's how to manage it:
Day 1: Essentials
Guest sheets, pillowcases, and towels. These need cleaning ASAP in Florida's humidity.
Day 2: Bedding
Blankets, comforters, mattress covers. Use hot water for items that can handle it.
Day 3: Extras
Throw blankets, decorative pillows, bath mats, kitchen towels used during visit.
Quick Reset Tips
- Don't wait - start cleaning the same day guests leave
- Open windows to air out guest areas (if weather allows)
- Check lost and found - under beds, behind furniture
- Make a list of items to restock for next visit
- If you're exhausted, book a cleaning service
Too Tired After Hosting?
Let us handle the post-guest cleanup. We'll reset your home so you can relax after a busy visit.