by Andrey Zhilin, Cleaning Expert at Sharky Destin
Every October in Destin, homeowners start their “fall cleaning.”
Windows are wiped, floors are mopped, and patios get a quick rinse.
But I see the same thing every year — people clean what’s visible and skip what really affects how a home feels and ages.
A true Destin deep clean isn’t about sparkle — it’s about prevention.
Because what you overlook now quietly turns into damage once the humidity returns.
1. Air Vents and Return Grilles
Most people don’t think about the air they breathe — until the smell of salt, dust, or mustiness lingers.
Vents in coastal homes collect a sticky mix of salt residue and fine sand that traps moisture and feeds mildew.
Even if the filters are changed, that buildup stays inside the ducts.
By October, after a long humid summer, it’s time for a full system cleaning to reset indoor air.
Professional insight:
At Sharky, we disinfect and vacuum the duct system with HEPA-level filtration — removing what regular home filters can’t.
2. Baseboards and Corners
Fine Destin sand doesn’t just sit on floors — it travels with every draft.
It gathers along baseboards, inside door frames, and behind furniture.
Most cleaning routines skip those edges, allowing grit to scratch flooring and trap allergens.
Tip:
Run a microfiber mop or vacuum nozzle along all wall lines — even under furniture.
You’ll be surprised how much salt dust is hiding there.
3. Kitchen Hood and Cabinets
Destin kitchens deal with more than cooking grease — salt air turns it into a sticky film.
That’s why cabinet surfaces and vent hoods often feel slightly “wet” even weeks after cleaning.
Best practice:
Use degreasers with neutral pH — they dissolve both grease and salt without damaging finishes.
And wipe cabinet tops — they collect a surprising amount of airborne residue.
4. Sliding Door Tracks and Window Frames
If you’ve ever struggled to open your sliding glass doors, it’s not the rollers — it’s the salt crust in the track.
This fine buildup forms when humid ocean air condenses overnight and dries by day, leaving salt behind.
By fall, that cycle repeats hundreds of times.
Cleaning these tracks prevents corrosion and keeps seals from breaking down.
Pro move:
We use a soft-bristle brush and mild acid-neutralizer to dissolve salt safely — no scratching, no residue.
5. Behind and Beneath Appliances
You’d be amazed what collects behind a fridge in Destin.
Moist air, condensation, pet hair, and fine sand combine into a dense film that traps odor and bacteria.
October is the perfect time to move appliances, vacuum behind them, and disinfect those hidden zones.
Why This Matters Now
In Destin, October is your one month of stability — no humidity, no rainstorms, just dry air and sunshine.
It’s when cleaning lasts.
If you skip deep-cleaning tasks now, that summer residue will keep attracting moisture once the wet season returns.
And when that happens, your home will smell like “the beach” — but not in the good way.
The Sharky Approach
At Sharky Destin, our fall deep clean focuses on exactly these forgotten areas — the ones that silently define how fresh and healthy your home feels.
It’s not about cleaning harder — it’s about cleaning smarter.
Because a truly clean coastal home isn’t about what you see.
It’s about what you no longer feel — no grit, no haze, no smell. Just air that finally feels like fall.
Read also: Salt, Sand, and Sunshine: The Real Enemies of Destin Homes
