A guest arrives at a Destin rental, drops their bags, and heads for the bedroom. The sheets are fresh, the view is breathtaking—but when they flip the light switch, it’s sticky. Later, they grab a door handle, and there’s a visible smudge. Suddenly, the home doesn’t feel so clean anymore.
The small detail that breaks trust
In hospitality, cleanliness is about trust. Guests expect what they touch to be sanitary. Light switches and door handles are among the most-used surfaces in any home, yet they’re often overlooked during turnovers. For guests, finding dirt there feels like evidence that the rest of the house might not be as clean as it looks.
Why these touchpoints matter so much
- High frequency use: Guests touch them dozens of times a day.
- Germ hotspots: Switches and handles harbor bacteria, oils, and residue.
- Visibility: Smudges, fingerprints, and grime are easy to see under natural light.
What guests actually think
Reviews rarely mention “the bathroom sink was wiped perfectly.” Instead, they call out small failures:
- “The house was nice, but the door handles felt dirty.”
- “Light switches were grimy, and it made the place feel neglected.”
These details stick in memory and reduce ratings.
Best practices for spotless touchpoints
- Always disinfect: Every turnover should include wiping handles and switches with a disinfectant-safe cleaner.
- Use microfiber: It removes both fingerprints and bacteria without leaving streaks.
- Inspect from guest perspective: Check in daylight and touch surfaces yourself—if it feels sticky, it’s not clean.
- Rotate deep cleaning: Over time, oils can discolor switches and handles. Regular deep cleaning or replacement keeps them fresh.
Pro insight from Sharky
At Sharky, we treat light switches and door handles as “critical points.” Our teams clean them at every turnover, then double-check with gloves off—exactly the way guests experience them. It’s a small step that pays back in glowing reviews.
Closing thought
In Destin’s competitive vacation rental market, the details matter. Dirty switches and handles may seem minor, but they’re where guests decide whether to trust your home’s cleanliness. Keep them spotless, and you won’t just prevent complaints—you’ll protect your reputation.
— Andrey Zhilin, Cleaning Expert at Sharky
Read also: How to Keep Glass Railings Crystal-Clear in Destin’s Coastal Homes
