Cleaning sand out of vacation rentals in beach towns like Folly Beach and Isle of Palms requires specific techniques to ensure thorough removal. Purple Dot Cleaning has been cleaning beach vacation rentals in Charleston since 2019, and we’ve learned many things along the way.
Here are some cleaning tips on how you can effectively clean sand from your Charleston beach home.
Shake Out Items
To protect your washing machine and dryer from damage, you want to remove as much sand as possible before placing items in them.
So, start by taking items that have accumulated sand, such as towels and throw blankets, and give them a good shake outside. If they’re easy to lift, shake out your area rugs too.
You can also hang rugs over a railing or clothesline and beat them with a broom to remove stubborn sand. Your neighbors may think you’re crazy, but it works.
Here’s a video on Purple Dot Cleaning’s Instagram page of our cleaners shaking sand from a massive rug at a Folly Beach vacation rental – so satisfying!
Vacuum
Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to vacuum sand from carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Pay attention to corners, edges, and under furniture where sand tends to accumulate.
In particular, if your sofa pillows are removable, lift them up and clean underneath. We’ve seen many sofas in vacation rental where the pillows seemed fine on top. But, when we looked underneath the pillows, we found enough sand to make a sand castle. Not good for getting those 5-star reviews!
Sweep Hard Floors
If your vacation rental has hard floors like tile, hardwood, or laminate, use a broom or a vacuum with a hard floor attachment to sweep up sand. Work from one end of the room to the other, focusing on high-traffic areas.
Guests will also often leave sand in the shower pans and tubs of beach vacation rentals. So, as long as the shower pans and tubs are dry, sweep the sand from those as well to keep too much sand from going down the drain and potentially causing a clog.
Use a Damp Cloth or Mop
For hard floors, use a damp cloth or mop to pick up any remaining sand particles. Make sure to wring out the cloth or mop frequently to avoid spreading sand around.
Clean Surfaces and Furniture
Wipe down surfaces like countertops, tables, and shelves with a damp cloth to remove sand residue. Many vacation rentals in Folly Beach and Isle of Palms also have porches to enjoy the beautiful South Carolina sunsets. Don’t forget to sweep and wipe down outdoor spaces too.
Check Air Vents and Filters
Sand can get into air vents and HVAC filters and put strain on those expensive machines. Especially considering the hot Charleston summers, you don’t want to put any more stress on your HVAC system than you need to.
So, always wipe down your air vents and replace your filters often. By the way, in addition to cleaning vacation rentals, Purple Dot Cleaning also offers property management services like changing HVAC filters.
Empty and Clean Vacuum
If you used a vacuum cleaner, empty the vacuum bag or canister and clean the vacuum filter to prevent sand from clogging the machine. Again, sand can be brutal on machines and you want to protect your vacuum cleaner too.
Preventative Measures
Consider using doormats both inside and outside your vacation rental to help prevent sand from being tracked in. Encourage your guests to shake out their belongings before entering your vacation rental. If your beach vacation rental has an outdoor shower, or even a hose, encourage your guests to use it to rinse off their feet when they're coming home from the beach Finally, leave your guests with basic cleaning supplies like a broom, dust pan, vacuum cleaner, rags, etc. so, hopefully, they clean up a bit after themselves during their stay.
We hope these tips are helpful, and if you need help cleaning your vacation rental you can always contact Purple Dot Cleaning. We’ve got your back!
