Ontario Cottage Cleaning — Opening and Closing Guide
Ontario has more cottage properties per capita than almost any region in the world — Muskoka, the Kawarthas, Georgian Bay, Haliburton, Prince Edward County. Cottage opening in May and closing in October are predictable peak demand periods for professional cleaning services. Here's how to approach each efficiently.
Spring Opening Clean
After a winter closure, cottages accumulate: mouse evidence (nesting materials, droppings), mould and mildew in bathrooms and damp areas, dust throughout, stale air from closed windows, and often a condition left by the last use of the previous season.
- Priority areas: Kitchen (fridge left open with baking soda? Remove and clean thoroughly), all bathrooms (mould risk), all sleeping areas (bedding airing and surfaces), and the main deck or screened porch
- DIY first: Open all windows to air before the clean arrives. Check for mouse evidence and address before the cleaner comes
- Professional scope: Full kitchen, all bathrooms, all rooms, floors — a full deep clean is appropriate for most spring opens
Fall Closing Clean
Closing clean is more straightforward: a thorough top-to-bottom clean before putting the cottage to bed for winter. Kitchen cleaned with food fully removed, fridge emptied and left open or unplugged, bathrooms cleaned and dried, floors swept and mopped, garbage removed.
Ontario Cottage Cleaning Prices (2026)
| Cottage Size | Spring Open or Fall Close |
|---|---|
| 2 Bed / 1 Bath | $298–$418 |
| 3 Bed / 2 Bath | $418–$568 |
| 4–5 Bed / 3 Bath | $568–$778 |
All prices include Ontario HST (13%). Book at maidless.ca/ontario.