Reducing Dust & Excess Moisture in Your Vacation Rental Property

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Running a vacation rental property takes a lot of work. You have to ensure your guests’ needs are met, guarantee the safety of the property, and maintain that property in peak condition. That last part can be tedious, as many things are included in a vacation rental maintenance checklist. For the exteriors alone, you'll need to accomplish tasks like cleaning the gutters, checking and sealing air leaks, and touching up paint jobs.

When it comes to the interior, one vital thing you must remember to do is examine your property's dust and moisture conditions. Below, we’ll explain how neglecting this aspect can damage your property and give tips on preventing this outcome.

​Why Dust and Excess Moisture is Bad for Properties

A dusty vacation rental isn’t the best way to welcome guests. They will get the impression that you’re not a responsible rental owner, preventing them from booking another stay. The dust can also harm their health, especially if they have existing lung conditions like asthma. Finally, dust buildup can ruin your furniture. Bigger particles can leave scratches on glass and wood surfaces if you don't wipe them off regularly.

Meanwhile, excess moisture—due to pipe leaks, a broken roof, or cracks in windows—can lead to mold formation. These won’t only make your rental look uninviting, but also pose serious health hazards. The health effects of black mold exposure include congestion, red eyes, and skin rashes. Mold can also eat away at the surfaces it grows on, like wood, concrete, and carpet. Overall, it can cause structural damage and pose health risks that can affect the quality of your guests' stay.

​​Tips on Reducing Dust and Excess Moisture

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Have regular cleaning sessions

One way to prevent dust buildup is to regularly clean the property. Dust can enter from under the doorways or in window gaps, so wiping the floors and furniture is essential. Furthermore, cleaning your property between bookings can ensure it is spotless for the next guests. Even if no one’s renting, try to clean the property once a week.

Regular cleaning can also help you detect excess moisture. For instance, if you check under the sink for a deep cleaning session, you may discover a leak that can lead to mold formation and repair it before it causes more damage.

Use an automatic cleaning device

Manually cleaning your property can be laborious, mainly if you do it weekly or own bigger rentals with multiple rooms. If this is the case, consider getting an automatic cleaning device—specifically, a robot vacuum—to keep your rental spotless. Robot vacuums map the room through camera or light detection and ranging mapping, allowing them to easily navigate your property. Camera detection works by taking photos to build the layout, while light detection and ranging mapping use sensors to measure open spaces and distances between walls and objects. With these features, you can ensure all your property's nooks will be dust-free.

One robot vacuum you should consider getting is the iRobot Roomba. This accurately maps the room and can be controlled using an app, so you can operate it from anywhere.

Install a water leak detector

Detecting leaks can be tricky, since you’re not always available to check pipes, and some may be hidden from plain sight. A water leak detector is one device that can help you pinpoint leaks and prevent mold from forming. You can place them where leaks are likely to occur, such as under the sink or in the basement. A smart leak detector sends notifications to your phone when it catches water or moisture around the area. It also has an alarm, alerting people in the home about a leak. With this, you’ll get to repair water damage early and prevent mold from building in your rental.

The Rusco Smart Leak Detector is a great option for this purpose. Since it's small and battery-powered, you can easily install it where needed without hooking it up to external electricity sources.

Reducing dust and excess moisture in your vacation rental property is key to giving guests the best experience. Follow our tips to keep your property dust- and mold-free!
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By Fiori Murton