Holiday Let Appliance Cleaning: Keeping Guests Happy This Summer

Running a holiday let or Airbnb is a juggling act — changeovers are tight, guests expect perfection, and a single bad review can cost you future bookings.

One of the most common complaints in holiday let reviews? Dirty appliances. A greasy oven, a smelly washing machine, or a stained fridge can turn a five-star stay into a two-star review in seconds.

Here's how to keep your appliances spotless and your guests happy — all season long.

The Appliances Guests Judge Most

1. The Oven

This is the big one. Guests arrive, plan to cook a holiday meal, open the oven — and find it covered in grease and burnt-on food from the previous guests. It's the most common appliance complaint in holiday let reviews.

2. The Fridge/Freezer

Stains, spills, and lingering smells in the fridge are immediately noticeable. Guests are putting their food in there, so hygiene matters.

3. The Washing Machine

If your property has a washing machine, guests expect it to be clean. A musty smell or visible mould on the door seal is a major red flag.

4. The Microwave

Often overlooked in the changeover clean, the microwave is frequently used by guests for quick meals. Splatters and smells build up quickly.

5. The Extractor Hood

Grease builds up on extractor filters faster than you might think — especially in holiday lets where guests may cook more than they do at home.

The Changeover Checklist

Between every guest, make sure these get done:

• [ ] Wipe the oven interior and door glass
• [ ] Check fridge for spills and expired food
• [ ] Wipe the microwave interior
• [ ] Run a hot wash in the washing machine with a cleaner
• [ ] Wipe the extractor hood surface
• [ ] Clean sink and taps

The Monthly Deep Clean

Between guest stays, the quick wipe-downs keep things presentable — but they're not enough to prevent long-term build-up. Once a month (or every 4–6 changeovers, depending on occupancy), schedule a professional deep clean:

• Oven: Full strip-down, dip tank for racks, glass door panels cleaned, internal elements wiped
• Fridge/Freezer: Full sanitisation, shelves and drawers removed and cleaned, seals and gaskets cleaned
• Washing Machine: Drum, seal, drawer, and filter deep cleaned; heating element descaled
• Microwave: Interior cavity descaled, turntable and ring cleaned
• Extractor Hood: Filters degreased in dip tank, canopy and stainless steel polished

Why Professional Cleaning Makes Sense for Hosts

Save Time During Changeovers

Changeover day is already hectic — beds to change, bathrooms to clean, floors to hoover. Adding a deep oven clean to that list is unrealistic. A monthly professional clean means your changeover team only needs to do quick wipe-downs between guests.

Better Reviews

Guests notice clean appliances. A sparkling oven and a fresh-smelling washing machine are the kind of details that earn five-star reviews and repeat bookings.

Longer Appliance Life

Holiday let appliances work hard — often far harder than domestic ones. Regular professional cleaning prevents carbon build-up, limescale, and grease from shortening the lifespan of your equipment. Replacing an oven or fridge between seasons is a major expense.

Compliance

If your holiday let is inspected by an agency, graded by VisitEngland or the AA, or subject to health and safety checks, clean appliances are a basic requirement. Professional cleaning provides documentation for your records.

Multi-Property Management

If you manage multiple holiday lets, we offer:

• Volume discounts for regular cleans across your portfolio
• Scheduled visits timed to your changeover days
• Single point of contact who knows your properties and requirements
• Compliance records for every clean

We cover holiday lets across Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, Essex, and West Sussex — including popular holiday destinations like Whitstable, Broadstairs, Rye, Hastings, Eastbourne, and the Sussex coast.

Quick Tips for Hosts

• Leave cleaning supplies for guests — a bottle of oven cleaner, microfibre cloths, and instructions encourage guests to wipe up spills during their stay
• Check the oven first on arrival day — it's the most common complaint
• Leave the washing machine door open between guests to prevent mould
• Provide a welcome guide with appliance instructions — guests who know how to use appliances properly are less likely to leave messes
• Schedule professional cleans for low-occupancy periods — typically mid-week or shoulder season

Manage a holiday let or Airbnb? Book Fordwell's professional appliance cleaning — we cover Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, Essex, and West Sussex. Volume discounts available for multi-property portfolios.