Spring STR Refresh Guide: Deep Cleaning, Repairs & Spring Break Prep

Spring is the STR operator's renewal season. After months of winter weather, holiday guests, and heavy heating use, your property needs attention. More importantly, spring break represents one of the highest-demand periods for vacation rentals, and the work you do now sets the tone for your entire peak season ahead.

This comprehensive guide walks you through everything needed to refresh your property, address winter damage, and position your listing for maximum bookings during spring and summer. Whether you manage your property yourself or oversee a cleaning team, these systems will help you maintain the five-star standards that drive repeat bookings and referrals.

Post-Winter Property Inspection

Before diving into cleaning, conduct a thorough inspection of your property. Winter can cause damage that goes unnoticed until it becomes a major problem. Schedule this inspection in late February or early March to give yourself time to address issues before spring break guests arrive.

Exterior Inspection Checklist

Start outside and work your way around the entire property systematically. Winter weather can cause significant damage that compromises both safety and guest experience.

• Roof and Gutters: Look for missing or damaged shingles, especially after ice storms. Check gutters for damage, proper attachment, and debris accumulation. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to fascia boards and foundations.
• Foundation and Grading: Walk the perimeter looking for new cracks in the foundation. Check that grading still directs water away from the structure. Freeze-thaw cycles can shift soil and create drainage problems.
• Deck and Patio: Inspect for loose boards, popped nails, and wood rot. Winter moisture accelerates deck deterioration. Test railings for stability as guests will lean on them.
• Walkways and Driveways: Note cracks, heaving, or trip hazards created by frost. These are liability risks and should be repaired or clearly marked.
• Exterior Paint and Siding: Look for peeling, bubbling, or damage. Winter moisture intrusion often shows up as paint failure in spring.
• Outdoor Furniture and Amenities: Assess condition of patio furniture, grills, fire pits, and any outdoor equipment. Winter storage can reveal damage or needed replacements.

Interior Inspection Points

Inside, focus on systems that worked hard all winter and areas where moisture might have intruded.

• Windows and Doors: Check weatherstripping, caulking, and operation. Look for condensation staining or moisture damage around frames.
• Ceilings and Walls: Inspect for water stains, especially under bathrooms and around chimneys. New stains indicate active leaks that need immediate attention.
• HVAC System: Note performance issues reported by winter guests. Schedule professional maintenance to prepare for cooling season.
• Plumbing: Check under all sinks for leaks or moisture. Run water in fixtures used infrequently to ensure proper drainage and trap seal.
• Smoke and CO Detectors: Test all units and note any that need battery replacement or are beyond their useful life (typically 10 years for smoke detectors, 5-7 for CO).

Deep Cleaning Protocol

Regular turnover cleaning maintains your property, but deep cleaning rejuvenates it. Spring is the ideal time for tasks that go beyond standard cleaning, addressing areas that accumulate grime over months of use.

Kitchen Deep Clean

The kitchen receives the most scrutiny from guests and health inspectors. A truly deep clean here takes 3-4 hours for a professional team.

• Appliance Deep Clean: Pull out the refrigerator and clean behind and underneath. Remove refrigerator drawers and shelves for thorough washing. Clean oven interior, including removing racks for soaking. Run dishwasher cleaner and clean the filter. Clean microwave interior, turntable, and vent filters.
• Cabinet Interior Cleaning: Empty all cabinets and wipe down shelves. Check for expired items in your provided pantry staples. Reorganize for guest convenience and photograph for your digital guidebook.
• Small Appliance Maintenance: Descale coffee makers using white vinegar. Clean toaster crumb trays. Wash blender bases and other frequently missed spots.
• Range Hood and Vent: Degrease the hood, clean or replace filters, and ensure the vent operates properly.
• Sink and Disposal: Deep clean the sink, polish fixtures, and run ice and citrus through the disposal to clean and freshen.

Bathroom Rejuvenation

Bathrooms are where cleanliness perceptions are made or broken. Spring deep cleaning should address hard water buildup, grout discoloration, and ventilation issues that accumulate during heavy winter use.

• Grout and Tile: Use grout cleaner or a bleach solution to brighten grout lines. Consider professional re-grouting if discoloration cannot be cleaned. Seal grout after cleaning to prevent future staining.
• Shower and Tub: Remove hard water deposits with descaling solution. Clean shower heads by soaking in vinegar overnight. Replace shower curtains and liners if they show any mold or discoloration.
• Ventilation: Remove and clean exhaust fan covers. Check that fans operate properly as bathroom humidity causes mold issues. Replace fans that no longer effectively remove moisture.
• Caulking Assessment: Inspect all caulk lines around tubs, showers, and toilets. Recaulk any areas showing mold, gaps, or deterioration. Fresh caulk dramatically improves appearance.
• Fixture Polish: Deep clean all fixtures including under faucet handles and around bases. Replace any fixtures showing permanent hard water damage or corrosion.

Living Areas and Bedrooms

• Carpet Deep Clean: Professional carpet cleaning removes embedded dirt and allergens. Schedule 24-48 hours before guests to ensure complete drying.
• Upholstery Cleaning: Clean sofas, chairs, and mattresses. Winter months with closed windows concentrate odors and allergens in fabrics.
• Window Treatment Cleaning: Launder curtains or professionally clean blinds and drapes. Dusty window treatments negatively impact air quality and appearance.
• Window Cleaning: Clean interior and exterior of all windows. After winter, dirty windows are immediately noticeable and affect photography.
• Baseboard and Trim: Wipe all baseboards, door frames, and trim. These areas collect dust throughout winter and are often overlooked in regular cleaning.
• Light Fixture Cleaning: Remove light covers and clean fixtures. Check all bulbs and replace any that are dim or burned out.
• HVAC Vents: Remove and wash vent covers. Vacuum inside vents to remove dust accumulation.

Linen and Soft Goods Refresh

Winter is hard on linens. Heavy use, increased laundry cycles, and holiday stains take their toll. Spring is the time to assess and refresh your soft goods inventory.

Bedding Assessment

Quality sleep is consistently ranked among the most important factors in guest satisfaction. Inspect all bedding with fresh eyes.

• Mattress Inspection: Check for sagging, stains, or wear. Mattresses should be replaced every 7-10 years, but high-turnover STRs may need replacement sooner. At minimum, flip or rotate mattresses and consider adding mattress toppers for renewed comfort.
• Pillow Replacement: Pillows should be replaced annually in STRs. Even with pillow protectors, they accumulate allergens and lose support. Budget for this replacement as a spring expense.
• Sheet and Duvet Cover Assessment: Examine sheets for thinning, pilling, or permanent stains. Hotel-quality white sheets should be replaced when they no longer look crisp after laundering. Duvet covers should be inspected for staining and wear.
• Blanket and Throw Inventory: Check all extra blankets and decorative throws for condition. Replace any that are pilled, stained, or worn.

Towel and Bath Linen Refresh

Towels face the heaviest use in STRs. Assess your inventory against hospitality standards.

• Towel Quality Check: Feel the nap of towels. They should still feel plush and absorbent. Thin, scratchy, or matted towels need replacement regardless of appearance.
• Color and Stain Assessment: White towels that have greyed or show stubborn stains despite treatment should be replaced or relegated to cleaning use.
• Quantity Audit: Ensure you have adequate backup inventory. The rule of thumb is three complete sets per bathroom to allow for turnover, cleaning delays, and guest requests.

Curb Appeal and Outdoor Spaces

First impressions matter enormously for guest satisfaction and review scores. Spring is your opportunity to create stunning curb appeal after the dormancy of winter.

Landscaping Priorities

• Spring Cleanup: Remove dead foliage, fallen branches, and winter debris. Edge beds and walkways for a manicured appearance. Apply fresh mulch for color and weed suppression.
• Lawn Renovation: Overseed thin areas, apply pre-emergent weed control, and begin regular mowing as growth resumes. A lush lawn photographs well and creates positive arrival impressions.
• Color Additions: Plant spring annuals in beds and containers. Consider seasonal color that will look good in photos and welcome guests through spring and into summer.
• Tree and Shrub Maintenance: Prune winter-damaged branches and shape overgrown shrubs. Ensure vegetation does not block lighting or security cameras.

Outdoor Living Space Preparation

Outdoor spaces often drive booking decisions for spring and summer guests. Maximize their appeal.

• Furniture Restoration: Clean, repair, or replace outdoor furniture. Pressure wash plastic and resin pieces. Sand and reseal wood furniture. Replace cushions and umbrellas showing sun damage or mildew.
• Grill and Cooking Area: Deep clean grills, replace grates if necessary, and check propane connections. Stock a fresh propane tank and ensure igniters work properly.
• Lighting Check: Test all outdoor lighting including path lights, string lights, and porch fixtures. Replace bulbs and repair connections. Outdoor lighting extends usable space into evening hours.
• Pool and Hot Tub Opening: If you closed for winter, schedule professional opening early to address any issues before peak season. If operating year-round, schedule spring service and water chemistry reset.

Spring Break Preparation Strategy

Spring break represents a significant revenue opportunity, particularly for family-friendly properties and those in beach, ski, or destination markets. Preparation goes beyond cleaning to include pricing, inventory, and guest experience optimization.

Pricing Strategy

• Research Local School Schedules: Spring break dates vary by region. Properties drawing from multiple markets should identify all relevant date ranges and price accordingly.
• Implement Dynamic Pricing: If you use pricing tools like PriceLabs, Wheelhouse, or Beyond, ensure your settings capture spring break demand. Manually check rates against competitors to ensure appropriate positioning.
• Set Minimum Night Stays: Consider 5-7 night minimums during peak spring break weeks. This reduces turnover costs and captures full-week bookings that families prefer.
• Early Booking Incentives: If your spring break weeks remain unbooked by late February, consider modest early booking discounts to secure reservations before competitors.

Family-Friendly Enhancements

Spring break guests often include families. Small additions can differentiate your property.

• Game and Entertainment: Stock board games, playing cards, and puzzles. Consider video game consoles or streaming services. Rainy day entertainment options prevent negative reviews.
• Kid-Specific Items: Provide high chairs, pack-n-plays, and children's dishes for families with young children. These amenities can be listing differentiators.
• Beach and Pool Gear: Stock beach toys, pool noodles, sand toys, and floats. Guests will use what you provide rather than purchasing and leaving items behind.
• Local Experience Guide: Create or update a guide with family-friendly activities, restaurants with kids' menus, and local attractions. Include specific recommendations beyond generic tourist suggestions.

Photography and Listing Updates

Spring is the ideal time to refresh your listing with updated photography. New landscaping, cleaned interiors, and seasonal decor provide fresh visual content.

Photography Best Practices

• Timing: Schedule shoots for mid-morning when natural light is bright but not harsh. Avoid harsh midday shadows and dark evening shots.
• Staging: Style the property as you would for a high-end guest. Fresh flowers, carefully placed accessories, and perfectly made beds create aspirational imagery.
• Exterior Shots: Capture curb appeal, outdoor living spaces, and any views. Spring foliage and blooms make properties look their best.
• Seasonal Mix: While updating spring photos, retain some winter shots if you market for ski or holiday seasons. A mix of seasonal imagery shows year-round appeal.

Listing Description Updates

• Highlight Recent Upgrades: If you have made improvements, update descriptions to feature them. New mattresses, refreshed decor, or added amenities deserve mention.
• Seasonal Language: Update descriptions to highlight spring and summer activities and amenities. Mention outdoor spaces, proximity to seasonal attractions, and spring-specific features.
• Amenity Audit: Review your listed amenities against current inventory. Add any new items and remove anything no longer available.

HVAC Transition and Maintenance

Spring is the shoulder season for HVAC systems, transitioning from heating to cooling. This transition period is ideal for maintenance and system checks.

Heating System Closeout

• Final Filter Change: Replace furnace filters one final time before summer shutdown.
• Humidifier Maintenance: If equipped, turn off humidifiers and clean or replace evaporator pads.
• Thermostat Transition: Adjust smart thermostat schedules for spring temperatures. Set auto-changeover if available to handle fluctuating spring weather.

Cooling System Preparation

• Professional Maintenance: Schedule AC tune-ups before peak demand. Technicians are more available and responsive in spring than during summer emergency calls.
• Outdoor Unit Inspection: Clear debris from around condenser units. Ensure at least two feet of clearance on all sides. Clean condenser coils if dirty.
• Test Operation: Run the cooling system before warm weather to verify proper operation. Check refrigerant pressures and airflow.
• Ceiling Fan Direction: Set ceiling fans to counterclockwise (pushing air down) for summer cooling.

Inventory and Supplies Audit

Spring is an excellent time to audit your consumable inventory and restock for busy season.

Cleaning Supplies

• Stock adequate turnover cleaning supplies for summer volume
• Replace worn cleaning equipment (mops, vacuums, scrub brushes)
• Audit laundry supplies and reorder in bulk

Guest Supplies

• Replenish welcome basket items or starter supplies
• Check paper goods inventory (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues)
• Restock basic pantry items (coffee, tea, cooking oil, spices)
• Refresh bathroom toiletries

Maintenance Supplies

• HVAC filters for summer changes
• Light bulbs in all needed sizes
• Batteries for remotes, smoke detectors, door locks
• Basic repair supplies (caulk, touch-up paint, hardware)

Creating Your Spring Action Plan

With so many tasks to accomplish, prioritization and scheduling are essential. Create your spring refresh plan based on your property's specific needs and your booking calendar.

Timing Recommendations

1. Late February: Conduct property inspection and schedule contractors for any needed repairs. Order replacement linens and supplies.
2. Early March: Complete exterior repairs and landscaping. Begin deep cleaning of areas that need extended work.
3. Mid-March: Complete interior deep cleaning. Refresh linens and soft goods. Update listings and photography.
4. Late March: Final preparation for spring break. Verify all systems operational. Stock supplies and communicate any updates to guests.