How to Restore Your Destin Home After a Busy Summer Season — A 30-Point Owner’s Audit

High season leaves a mark on every Destin property: salt film on glass, sand in fabrics, moisture hiding in quiet corners, and a little wear everywhere guests touched. Instead of another step-by-step “clean this, then that,” use a measurable audit you can run every September to reset your home to peak condition and protect it for the quieter months.

As Sharky’s cleaning expert, Andrey Zhilin, I recommend scoring each section below from 0 to 5 (0 = severe issue; 5 = excellent). Any area scoring 3 or below needs action within seven days; anything at 2 or below deserves professional help. Add up your points at the end to decide whether DIY is enough or you need a pro reset.

How to use this audit:

• Walk the home with fresh air circulating and daylight on.
• Bring a flashlight, notepad, and a large contractor bag.
• Photograph every item that scores ≤3; photos help track progress and guide vendors.

A. Air & Odor (max 5 points)

1. Odor neutrality on entry. Do you smell salt-must, sunscreen, cooking, or perfume residue?
2. HVAC freshness. Filters replaced? Vents dust-free? AC draining properly?
3. Cross-ventilation. Can you clear indoor air in under 30 minutes by opening windows and running fans?
4. Dehumidification. Indoor RH under 55% without constant AC struggle?
5. Hidden sources. Closets, laundry room, vanities free of damp odors?

If ≤3: shock-ventilate for 60–90 minutes, replace filters (MERV 8–11), run dehumidifiers to 45–50% for 24–48 hours, wipe vents and returns.

B. Surfaces & Fabrics (max 7 points)

1. Floors. Sand in grout lines or baseboards? Sticky film from humidity?
2. Upholstery. Armrests and seams clean, no sunscreen sheen?
3. Rugs/Carpets. Grit underfoot? Edges lifting or wicking marks?
4. Mattresses & toppers. No odors, no stains, rotated/air-fluffed?
5. Curtains & shades. Salt dust, window-track grit, or discoloration?
6. Hard surfaces. Switches, remotes, rails, and pulls sanitized and residue-free?
7. Glass & mirrors. Salt haze or streaks that dim ocean views?

If ≤3: HEPA vacuum slowly (1 inch/sec), hot-water extraction on carpets/rugs, steam upholstery where allowed, launder or steam curtains, use non-ammonia glass cleaner for salt film.

C. Kitchen & Bath Systems (max 5 points)

1. Limescale and soap film. Faucets, glass, tile edges.
2. Appliances. Fridge gaskets, dishwasher filter, microwave ceiling, oven door glass.
3. Drain health. No slow drains, no sulfur/organic smells.
4. Caulk & grout. No cracks, gaps, or black spotting.
5. Fixture shine. Stainless and chrome free of fingerprints and water marks.

If ≤3: descale with a non-acidic product safe for stone/tile, replace dishwasher filter, flush drains with enzyme cleaner, recaulk problem seams (dry area first to 0% moisture).

D. Moisture & Mold Risk (max 6 points)

1. Bathrooms. Fan power adequate? Mirror clears within 10 minutes post-shower?
2. Laundry & mechanicals. No condensation, rust bloom, or lint buildup.
3. Closets & under-sinks. No damp particleboard, no musty boxes.
4. Windows & doors. Sill stains, swollen trim, or sweating glass?
5. Walls & ceilings. Any bubbling paint, soft drywall, or discoloration?
6. Recent leaks. Evidence around AC closet, water heater, or ice line?

If ≤3: deploy dehumidifiers, run bathroom fans 20 minutes post-shower, add moisture absorbers to closets, repair weatherstripping, schedule moisture mapping if staining appears.

E. Outdoor Envelope & Amenities (max 5 points)

1. Glass & rails. Salt crust on balcony rails, sliders, and hardware?
2. Deck/patio. Sand drifts, pollen film, or algae slicks?
3. Pool/spa. Chemistry balanced, scum line removed, deck joints clean?
4. Drainage. Gutters and downspouts clear; no pooling after a hose test?
5. Furniture. Cushions dry, frames free of corrosion, tops grease-free?

If ≤3: low-pressure wash, rinse hardware, rebalance pool chemicals, clear gutters, deep-clean cushions and store with airflow spacers.

F. Guest-Experience Micro-Details (max 5 points)

1. Light & view. No dusty bulbs, shades, or smeared sliders dimming the Emerald Coast.
2. Touchpoints. Door levers, remotes, thermostats sanitized and smudge-free.
3. Linens & bedding. Crisp, scent-neutral, sealed storage between stays.
4. Entry choreography. Mat actually traps sand; broom/vac within reach.
5. Kitchen readiness. Spotless coffee area, organized tools, empty crumb trays.

If ≤3: replace tired mats, standardize a touchpoint routine, bag and label linen sets, keep a sand broom on the patio, reset the coffee station between stays.

Scoring the season

• 26–30: Light refresh. DIY in a weekend.
• 20–25: Targeted deep clean. Schedule 1–2 pro services (carpet extraction or window/slider detailing).
• 14–19: Full reset recommended. Book a professional deep clean with moisture control and exterior service.
• ≤13: High risk. Plan a two-day pro restoration: dehumidification, soft-wash exterior, hot-water extraction, kitchen/bath descaling, and odor remediation.

Rapid-Restore Protocols (use when any item scores ≤3)

• Salt film on glass: microfiber + isopropyl alcohol cut with water; finish with squeegee to the edges.
• Sand in fabrics: slow HEPA passes + pulsating beater bar; lift cushions and run crevice tool along seams.
• Musty closets: empty, wipe with dilute quaternary cleaner, run a small dehumidifier to 45% for 24h, replace hangers.
• Sticky tile/grout: alkaline degreaser dwell 5–7 minutes, agitate, neutral rinse; reseal grout once fully dry.
• HVAC breathability: replace filters, vacuum returns, sanitize thermostats and remotes, verify condensate line is clear.
• Pool line & deck: scrub scum line, brush steps, hose deck joints, treat algae early.

Remote-Owner Playbook

• Create a three-photo proof routine for cleaners (entry, main view, balcony glass).
• Require a 12-point sign-off (filters, drains, RH reading, mattress rotation, slider tracks).
• Keep a humidity log; alert at >55% for 6+ hours.
• Stock spares: MERV filters, descaler, grout sealer, enzyme drain cleaner, RH meters.

When to call professionals

• Widespread moisture or odor that returns within 72 hours.
• Glass and slider tracks with recurring salt binding or corrosion.
• Carpet/rugs showing wicking or traffic shadows after DIY cleaning.
• Balcony/deck algae regrowth within two weeks.
• Any mold suspicion larger than a dinner plate, or near HVAC returns.

Cost-Smart sequencing (Destin-specific)

1. Dehumidify to 45–50% for 24–48h (locks in results).
2. Interior deep clean with hot-water extraction and steam where appropriate.
3. Exterior low-pressure wash; detail sliders and tracks.
4. Kitchen/bath descaling and recaulk only after the space is dry.
5. Final glass polish and linen reset.

Your summer revenue depends on a property that feels effortless to live in. The audit makes “effortless” measurable, repeatable, and easy to delegate—so your home is ready for fall bookings or a calm off-season without hidden damage quietly growing.

— Andrey Zhilin, Cleaning Expert at Sharky

Read also: Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Cleaning Company in Destin