Lake House Cleaning Tips for Cumming and Lake Lanier Homes

Moisture is the biggest difference between a lake home and an inland one. Keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent, run the bathroom fan during and after showers, and dry anything wet the same day.

That range comes from the EPA's guide to mold and moisture, which also recommends staying below 60 percent. A cheap humidity meter from the hardware store tells you where you stand.

The 60 percent line matters. UGA Extension notes that mildew usually starts growing when relative humidity stays at 60 percent and the temperature is 60°F or higher, which describes most Georgia summers.

A dehumidifier on the lower level is often the best money a lake homeowner spends. Set it, empty it or connect it to a drain, and check it before every weekend.

If something gets soaked, like a leak, a wet rug or a towel left on carpet, the EPA says to dry it within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Most of the dirt in a lake house walks in through one or two doors. Set up these entry habits and the floors stay clean much longer:

• A washable runner inside the lake door and a rough mat outside
• A bench and a basket for wet shoes and sandals
• Hooks for wet towels, so none land on beds or carpet
• A hose or rinse spot for feet and pet paws
• A small vacuum or broom kept right by the door
• A no-wet-swimsuit rule for upholstered furniture

Sand works like sandpaper on hardwood and tile. Catching it at the door saves your floors more than any extra mopping inside.

Vacuum the main paths more often than the rest of the house. A full-home mop can wait for a scheduled visit if the walkways stay clean.

Humidity finds the same spots in every lake house. These are the five places I check first:

Weekend and summer homes need two bigger cleans a year. The first one is the spring opening, when the house has been closed and still for months.

In spring, run every tap for a minute, check under sinks for leaks and open closets to let them air out on a dry day. Then dust top to bottom, because closed houses collect dust on every flat surface.

Wash all bedding and towels before the first guests arrive. Fabric stored in a humid house can pick up a musty smell even when it looks clean.

In the fall, the closing clean matters even more. Empty and wipe the fridge, prop its door open, wash every linen and leave the dehumidifier running so the house does not sit damp all winter.

Full-time lake homes do best with weekly visits from May to September and biweekly the rest of the year. Summer brings more people, more towels and more humidity.

Weekend homes need a different rhythm: one clean after the busy weekend, so the house does not sit damp and sandy all week, and a quick refresh before guests arrive.

Once or twice a year, a deep cleaning resets grout, fans, vents and window tracks. If you are unsure about frequency, my guide on how often to have your house cleaned walks through it.

Control the humidity, stop the sand at the door and clean after the busy weekends. That is the whole secret of a lake home that always feels ready.

I clean homes across Cumming and the Lake Lanier area myself, one at a time. Ask for a free estimate, tell me whether it is a full-time home or a weekend place, and I will suggest a schedule that fits.