Regular Cleaning for Ontario Second Homes and Cottages
Ontario has one of the highest concentrations of cottage and second-home ownership of any province — the Muskoka, Kawartha, Haliburton, Georgian Bay, and countless other lake regions host hundreds of thousands of seasonal and year-round secondary properties. Managing cleaning in a property used intermittently — whether every weekend or a few times per year — requires a different approach than a primary residence's continuous use pattern.
Arrival Cleaning
Every arrival at a secondary property should include a quick check-and-freshen before the weekend or vacation begins:
- Air out by opening windows — secondary properties accumulate stale air, VOCs from furnishings, and musty odour when closed
- Check for any pest activity, moisture issues, or anything that happened since last visit
- Run water in all fixtures for 30 seconds before using (prevents Legionella growth in stagnant water in the lines)
- Wipe kitchen counters and check the refrigerator if left running
Departure Cleaning
Departure cleaning determines the condition of the property during the next closure:
- Empty all garbage and compost — no organic material left in a closed property
- Wipe kitchen surfaces, clean stovetop, and empty refrigerator if the property will be closed for more than two weeks
- Run the dishwasher clean before closing
- Strip used bedding and either wash on-site or bring home to wash
- Close windows and ensure all entry points are secure against pests
Professional Cottage Cleaning Ontario (2026)
A professional cottage opening or closing clean in Ontario: $268–$488 depending on property size, plus travel time for remote properties. Ontario HST (13%) applies. Book at maidless.ca/ontario.