Closing your Naples home for the summer
Naples summers are hot, humid and stormy. A home that’s closed up correctly comes back fresh in the fall; one that isn’t can come back with mildew, a smelly fridge or worse. Work through this list in the last week before you leave.
Humidity and air conditioning
- Don’t turn the AC off. Humidity, not heat, is the enemy of a closed home. Keep the AC running at a moderate setting and, if your system has one, use the humidity control.
- Aim to keep indoor relative humidity below 60%, the level the EPA recommends to help prevent mold growth.
- Replace the AC filter before you go, and consider having the system serviced.
- Leave interior doors, closets and cabinet doors slightly open so air can circulate.
Kitchen
- Empty the fridge and freezer of anything that can spoil. If you turn the fridge off, clean and dry it fully and prop the doors open to prevent mildew.
- Clean the oven, stovetop and microwave so nothing attracts pests.
- Run the dishwasher empty, then leave it slightly open to dry.
- Take out all trash and recycling, and clean the bins.
Bathrooms
- Clean showers, tubs and toilets thoroughly; residue left for months is much harder to remove later.
- Make sure towels and bath mats are completely dry before storing.
Throughout the house
- Wash all bedding and towels, and store linens dry.
- Vacuum and mop floors, and clear sand from sliding-door tracks.
- Bring in or secure lanai furniture and anything that could become a projectile in a storm.
- Arrange for someone to check the home periodically, especially during hurricane season.
Want it handled for you? Book a departure close-out clean for your last week in town.
Opening your home for the season
Seasonal residents typically return to Naples in the fall and winter. Here’s what to do in the first days back, or what to have done before you arrive.
- Check for signs of moisture: musty smells, spots on ceilings, walls, closets or under sinks.
- Dust everything: surfaces, fans, vents, blinds and light fixtures collect a surprising amount over six months.
- Run water in every sink, shower and toilet to refresh the drains.
- Wipe down kitchen surfaces and the inside of the fridge before restocking.
- Wash or refresh bedding and towels that have been stored.
- Replace the AC filter.
The easiest option: book an arrival clean for a day or two before you land, and walk into a fresh home.