Cleaning Hot Tub Areas and Patios at a Short-Term Rental

That Cleaning Girl · Airbnb & Rental Turnovers

Outdoor spaces sell short-term rentals. A hot tub, a shaded patio or a porch with a view often shows up in the first listing photo. Those spaces also get dirty fast and are easy to forget during a turnover. If hard water on your shower glass was the indoor fight, read Hard Water Spots in North Texas Rentals and How to Keep Them Away first. Outside, it is pollen, dust and mud.

Here is how we handle outdoor spaces on turnovers around Midlothian, Cedar Hill and the south DFW area. This covers the general cleaning side. Hot tub water care and chemistry are a separate job best left to the host or a pool and spa service.

Patios, porches and decks

Outdoor living areas collect dirt from every direction. A turnover covers:

• Sweeping the patio, porch, steps and deck boards
• Clearing leaves and debris from corners and under furniture
• Removing cobwebs from light fixtures, railings and eaves
• Emptying outdoor trash cans and replacing the liners
• Shaking out or hosing off outdoor rugs
• Picking up cigarette butts, bottle caps and anything guests left behind

In spring, cedar and oak pollen turns everything yellow. In late summer, dust settles on every surface. A quick sweep and wipe on every turnover keeps the patio from looking abandoned.

Outdoor furniture

Guests sit on the patio furniture within minutes of arriving. Wipe down tables and chairs with a damp cloth every turnover. Check the cushions for stains, spills and bird droppings. Many outdoor cushions have removable covers that can be washed. If not, a spot clean with mild soap and water usually works.

Store cushions inside or in a deck box during storms if you can. North Texas storms come up fast, and wet cushions take a long time to dry and can start to smell.

The grill

A grill left dirty by the last guest is a common complaint. A turnover grill check includes:

• Brushing the grates if guests used it
• Emptying the grease tray or drip pan
• Wiping the outside, the side tables and the handle
• Checking that the propane tank or charcoal is stocked, if you provide it
• Closing the lid and putting the cover back on

A full deep clean of the grill is a separate job that can happen a few times a season.

The hot tub area

For the hot tub, a turnover focuses on what guests see and touch:

• Wiping the hot tub cover, top and underside
• Wiping the rim and the steps
• Sweeping and drying the area around it
• Checking the cover clips are fastened and the cover is closed
• Clearing leaves and bugs off the surface
• Collecting and washing hot tub towels

Water testing, chemicals, filter changes and draining are not part of a cleaning turnover. Those need someone trained in spa care. We note anything that looks off, like cloudy water or a damaged cover, and let the host know.

Fire pits and outdoor games

If you have a fire pit, check that it is cool, empty out old ashes once fully cold and safe, and clear away trash. Restock firewood if you provide it. Pick up and count outdoor games like cornhole bags, and put everything back in its bin.

Mud, sand and the back door

Outdoor spaces bring dirt inside. After a rain, red clay tracks in from the yard. At lake rentals, sand comes in on every towel and pair of feet. Pay extra attention to the back door and the path to the bathroom:

• Shake out or wash door mats
• Mop the floor inside the back door
• Check for muddy footprints on the stairs and in the hallway
• Wipe the back door glass and handle

A boot tray or a basket for wet shoes by the back door helps more than you might think.

Summer heat and outdoor surfaces

Texas summers are hard on outdoor spaces. Surfaces bake, plastic fades and anything left wet grows mildew quickly in humid weeks. Wipe down surfaces regularly and keep covers on the grill and furniture when not in use. A shaded area with a fan is worth its weight in reviews during an August stay.

Make outdoor cleaning part of the list

Outdoor spaces are easy to skip because guests are not standing in them when they arrive. Then they step outside and see a dusty table and a full grill tray. Put the patio, the grill and the hot tub area on your turnover checklist so they are never forgotten. For more about our turnovers, see our rental turnover cleaning page.