Removing Sand and Sunscreen from Your Beach Airbnb

Operating an Airbnb in Marbella means dealing with the realities of beach life: sand tracked into every crevice and greasy sunscreen smeared on upholstery and glass. Standard cleaning techniques often just push these messes around.

The Sand Strategy

Never use a wet mop on a sandy floor first; it creates a gritty mud that scratches hardwood and tile. The key is multiple passes of dry extraction. Use a high-suction vacuum with a brush roll for carpets, and a hard-floor attachment for tiles. Pay special attention to the tracks of sliding glass doors, where sand accumulates and ruins the sliding mechanism.

Tackling Sunscreen

Sunscreen is oil-based and highly water-resistant. If guests lean against your fabric sofa wearing sunscreen, it leaves a dark, greasy stain. Professional cleaners use specialized enzymatic upholstery cleaners that break down the lipid (fat) bonds in the sunscreen. For glass and mirrors, a degreasing dish soap solution works better than standard glass cleaner to cut through the oily film.