Spring preparation of the holiday home: how the house is ready for the first guest

When spring comes and the first booking approaches, the holiday home needs waking after the winter. A house that has stood empty for months needs air, light and a thorough going-over before the guests arrive. Here is how to get the house fresh and ready.

Air out and turn things on

Start by letting the winter out: open windows and doors and air thoroughly, ideally over several hours. Turn the water and heat back on, and check that pipes, water heater and toilet work as they should, without leaks. Let the heat run a little so the house becomes dry and warm.

Check for damp and winter damage

Go over the house for signs of damp, mould or damage after the winter's frost and storms. Look in corners, behind furniture and on ceilings. Check that windows and doors close tightly, and that no mice or damp have got in. The sooner small things are spotted, the easier they are to fix.

A thorough clean

Even a closed house gathers dust and takes on a stuffy smell over winter. A thorough clean is needed: surfaces, kitchen, bathroom, floors, windows inside and out, and everything wiped down. If bedding and towels were packed away, they should be aired or washed before going on. Windows on the outside are often what makes the biggest difference after a winter of salt and rain.

The final details

Stock up on consumables, check that everything in the kitchen is there and works, set out the garden furniture and give the terrace a going-over. The small things, fresh towels, clean panes, a scent of clean, are exactly what the first guest notices.

We do spring preparation for holiday-home owners across our whole area. We wake the house, clean it thoroughly and tell you if anything needs fixing, so it stands sharp and inviting when the season's first guest steps in.

See also: our holiday home cleaning in Hvide Sande and Søndervig.