Florida’s hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which puts Clermont, Davenport, Kissimmee, and the rest of the Four Corners area squarely in the six-month window right now. For a household that’s never ridden one out, or one that just moved to Central Florida from somewhere that doesn’t have a season for this, the run-up to a storm is usually spent on shutters, water, and gas, not on the house itself. That’s the part worth planning for too.
Here’s what to clean and organize before a storm is in the forecast, what tends to need attention once you’re back inside afterward, and where a professional cleaning fits into either end of that.
What Should You Clean Before Hurricane Season Starts?
Ready.gov recommends having a plan and supplies in place before the season begins, not once a storm is named. The same logic applies to the inside of the house. A few tasks are easy to skip in the rush before a specific storm but simple to handle in a calm week in early June:
- Clear out the pantry and fridge. Expired or near-expired food takes up space you’ll want for water and shelf-stable supplies, and it’s one less thing to deal with if the power goes out later in the season.
- Catch up on laundry. A closed-up house without air conditioning for even a day or two gets humid fast in Central Florida. Starting from a clean laundry pile instead of a full hamper makes a real difference if you lose power.
- Deep clean the guest room or spare space. Clermont and the surrounding Four Corners cities see a lot of family and friends evacuate inland from the coast during an active storm. A clean, ready guest room means you’re not scrambling to host on short notice.
- Wipe down interior storm shutters or window tracks. If shutters go up, they usually come out of storage dusty. Cleaning the tracks and interior sills before they’re sealed shut for days keeps grime from baking on.
What Does a House Need Once the Storm Passes?
Even when a home comes through a storm with no damage, a few days of closed windows, no air conditioning, and higher indoor humidity leave a mark. The most common issues in Central Florida homes after a storm passes through are not damage repairs. They’re cleaning issues:
| What You Notice | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| A musty or stale smell throughout the house | Windows and doors stay shut for days with little airflow, and Central Florida’s humidity climbs indoors without the AC running continuously |
| Dust and grit tracked through the house | Bringing shutters, sandbags, and outdoor items back inside, plus more foot traffic during cleanup, carries debris in on shoes and hands |
| Bathrooms and kitchens needing more than a wipe-down | Heavier use during a multi-day stay-at-home stretch, sometimes with a full house of evacuated family, adds up faster than normal |
| Refrigerator and pantry needing a full clean-out | A power outage of more than a few hours means spoiled food needs to come out before it starts to smell |
Should You Clean Before or After the Storm Passes?
Both, if there’s time. A pre-storm clean means you’re not returning to a messy house on top of whatever the storm brought, and it gives you a clear read on the home’s condition if you need to document anything for insurance. A post-storm clean handles what a few closed-up, humid days leave behind, and it’s usually the one people underestimate until the smell hits them at the front door.
If you’re sheltering in place with family who evacuated from the coast, the post-storm clean matters even more. More people in the house for several days means more laundry, more dishes, and more general wear before anyone’s even thinking about a normal cleaning schedule again.
Where Clermont City Clean Fits In
Clermont City Clean handles the inside of the house, both before a storm is in the forecast and once it’s passed. That means a full residential clean to get ahead of the season, or a deep clean afterward to deal with the musty air, tracked-in dust, and general mess that comes with days of sheltering in place. The same applies to small businesses in Clermont, Davenport, Kissimmee, Winter Garden, Celebration, Groveland, Windermere, and Orlando that need to reopen clean after being closed for a storm.
Every cleaner is insured and vetted, and booking or getting a quote takes about 60 seconds online, available 24/7. If anything’s missed, report it within 24 hours and the team returns to re-clean it at no charge.
Get a free quote or book online anytime at clermontcityclean.com/book.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does hurricane season start in Florida?
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 every year, per NOAA. Storm activity in Central Florida tends to pick up in August and September.
Why does my house smell musty after a storm even with no damage?
Closed windows and doors combined with little or no air conditioning for a few days let indoor humidity climb, which is what causes the stale or musty smell. It usually clears up with fresh air and a thorough clean rather than pointing to any actual damage.
Should I clean before or after evacuated family arrives to stay with me?
Both if you can. A clean guest space before they arrive makes the stay easier, and a deep clean after they leave (or after the storm passes, if everyone’s staying put) accounts for the extra use the house gets during that stretch.
Does Clermont City Clean do exterior storm cleanup or debris removal?
No. Clermont City Clean provides residential and commercial cleaning inside the home or business. For exterior debris removal, roof or gutter work, or storm damage repair, contact a contractor who specializes in that work.
How far in advance should I schedule a pre-storm cleaning?
As early in the season as possible, ideally before a storm is even in the forecast. Once a storm is tracking toward Florida, schedules fill up fast for every kind of service, cleaning included.
What should I do with damaged items before cleaning up after a storm?
If you’re filing an insurance claim, document damage with photos before you clean up or discard anything, since your carrier may need to see the property’s condition first.