Thousands of snowbirds spend the winter in St. George and head home when the heat arrives. If that's you, your house spends months closed up in the desert — and how you close it and open it makes a big difference in what you come back to.
Here's a practical checklist for both ends of the season, from the team that cleans homes across St. George and Washington County.
Closing Your St. George Home for the Summer
Kitchen
- Empty the fridge completely, or leave it running with only items that keep. If you turn it off, wipe it dry and prop the doors open so it doesn't grow mold.
- Run the dishwasher one last time and leave the door cracked open.
- Remove all food from the pantry that can attract pests, and store the rest in sealed containers.
- Take out every bit of trash, including bathroom trash cans.
Plumbing and water
- Shut off the main water valve if you'll be gone for months. It's the best protection against a slow leak while you're away.
- Set the water heater to vacation mode.
- Drains and toilets can dry out in the summer heat and let sewer odors in. Ask your plumber or property checker about the best way to keep them sealed while you're gone.
Climate and the house itself
- Don't turn the AC off completely. Most owners set it to a higher temperature so heat doesn't damage furniture, electronics, or finishes. Ask your HVAC company what setting they recommend for your home.
- Close blinds and curtains to protect floors and furniture from sun fading.
- Unplug electronics and small appliances.
- Schedule pest control before you leave.
- Check your homeowners insurance. Some policies require someone to check on a vacant home regularly.
The closing clean
Dust and crumbs left behind attract pests and settle into fabric over months. A full clean before you leave — floors, bathrooms, kitchen, and inside the fridge — means you come back to a house that just needs a refresh, not a rescue.
Opening Your St. George Home for the Winter
Before you arrive
- Have the AC and air filters checked. Filters that sat all summer are full of dust.
- Book a pre-arrival cleaning so the house is fresh the day you walk in. Months of settled red dust coats every surface, even in a closed house.
- Set up pool service again if you have a pool.
The day you arrive
- Turn the water back on slowly and check under every sink and around the water heater for leaks.
- Run every faucet and flush every toilet for a minute to clear the lines.
- Run an empty cycle in the dishwasher and washing machine.
- Look for signs of pests in closets, garages, and under sinks.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries.
The opening clean
A pre-arrival clean focuses on what sat all summer: dust on every flat surface, ceiling fans, vents, window tracks, baseboards, and inside cabinets, plus fresh bathrooms and a wiped-out fridge ready for groceries. Read more about keeping a desert home clean through the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone clean my St. George home while I'm out of state?
Yes. We schedule closing cleans after you leave and pre-arrival cleans before you get back, so you never have to be there. We'll flag anything we notice, like a leak or signs of pests.
When should I book a pre-arrival clean?
About one to two weeks before you arrive. October and November are busy in St. George as snowbirds return, so earlier is better.
Do you clean vacation rentals between snowbird seasons?
Yes. If you rent your home out while you're away, we also handle vacation rental turnovers in St. George.
Book Your Pre-Arrival or Closing Clean
Organically Clean Utah serves St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, and Santa Clara with 100% non-toxic, plant-based cleaning. Get a quote in under 2 minutes.
Get Your Free QuoteOrganically Clean Utah · Serving St. George & Washington County · (801) 845-3938 · info@organicallycleanutah.com