Regardless of any accommodation type that you offer on Airbnb, cleanliness is one of the utmost important deciding factors to your guests if they will have a great time or not. Airbnb rentals must be as clean as what they look in the picture.
Any type of accommodation must be well-maintained to garner success in the Airbnb industry. If your guests spot single dust inside the house, they will let you know that your cleaning standards as an Airbnb are not up to par.
One of the more highlighted aspects of cleaning an Airbnb rental is its disinfecting methods. Before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, there was still an existing disinfecting process in every Airbnb rental. Even though it is not that strict as it is now, the previous disinfecting protocols are still effective against preventing common colds and flu.
With the escalating situation surrounding the seemingly unending spread of COVID-19, the short-term rental industry such as Airbnb is taking proper measures and extra precautions about how to disinfect an Airbnb rental property. If you own one, this will be insightful for you.
Prioritizing excellent customer experience will always have to be the goal. In this article, you will find thorough ways on how Airbnb rentals should disinfect their place. Here it is:
Place Signage
Aside from how you should disinfect your place; you have to remind the occupant to disinfect occasionally. It is important for them to keep safe while they are at your place. How can you remind them? Place signage. It may take a huge hit on the aesthetics of your place, but it’s best to remind your occupants.
Your signage may be as simple as, “Going out? Don’t forget your mask!” near the door. You may also place “Don’t forget to sanitize your hands!” Reminding your guests is the best way to show that you care for them.
Most COVID-19 cases are spread by hand or close contact. Since it is unavoidable to touch surfaces, sanitation is one of the best prevention methods. No one can afford to be complacent. It may be a bit of a hassle but it is what it is. Safety protocols during a pandemic are strict must always be implemented– remind them through signage.
Determine What to Sanitize
There are several things you Airbnb rental owners have to sanitize. As we know, sanitation is the elimination of bacteria or contaminants on a surface to bring it to a safe level. In this case, a safe level means sanitizers have killed 99.9% of bacteria, fungi, and viruses on the surface. That’s why one of the preventive measures against COVID-19 is handwashing with water and soap.
Before we proceed, you have to know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. The goals of these methods are to keep yourself safe, but the outcome of each have different levels of intensity.
– Cleaning is the removal of dust and dirt.
– Sanitizing is the elimination of bacteria, fungi, and viruses on surfaces.
Sanitizing must always start on areas where most people touch, these places are called the high-touch points.
Sanitize the High-Touch Points
What are the high-touch points in a conventional Airbnb rental?
– Remote control
– Knobs
– Cabinet holders
– Hangers
– Luggage racks
– Appliances
– Window handles and pulls
– Switches
– Stair railings
– Indoor trash bins
– Cleaning supplies
Aside from these things and places, there are two things you have to focus on. These things are mostly what people use in the rental places:
Linens: Do not overlook the importance of cleaning the linens, if you did, then you have been doing it wrong. All linens at an Airbnb rental property such as curtains, table mantles, throw pillows, et cetera should be sanitized properly. Even if it is not utilized by the previous guest. There is still a tendency that guests have opened the closet and touched all the available linens even if they didn’t use them– and infection can still remain on those spots of the linens in contact with the previous guest.
Kitchenwares: Wash all of them including those that are unused. A guest might still touch many of the available spoons while rustling around for the one they prefer– you absolutely want to be sure those spoons have been through the kitchen sink and washed properly.
The sanitization process is a great prevention method, might as well include the unused ones because they might still be in contact with the previous guest.
Always Remember: Airbnb’s 5-step Enhanced Cleaning Process
Airbnb has implemented a COVID-19 safety protocol. The 5-step cleaning processes every rental property owner should follow between guest stays. Airbnb’s cleaning handbook is developed by the collaborative efforts of experts. If your local government has any additional rules and guidelines, you should add them to them.
1. Prepare. Proper preparation helps you clean more efficiently.
2. Clean. Remove dust and dirt.
3. Sanitize. Use chemicals to reduce the number of bacteria. If you want to take it up a notch, then please proceed with disinfecting.
4. Check. Always orient the cleaning team to perform the best practices in cleaning your Airbnb property.
5. Reset. Finish cleaning and sanitizing before replacing the things for the next guest to avoid cross-contamination.
Seek Professional Help
Some owners do not live in the same neighborhood as their Airbnb rentals. But, even if some live near, you can have the leverage of seeking professional help. With the current situation, it is best to seek professional help. Hire a maid service to deep clean your Airbnb rental.
Professional maid service providers are trained and well-experienced in house cleaning. Moreover, they have exquisite knowledge in handling and cleaning things during the pandemic. You can rely on their expertise in proper sanitation and deep cleaning.
Final Thoughts
Today, it is pretty challenging to manage an Airbnb rental business. The current situation makes it not profitable as it was before. But, instead of getting discouraged by the hard fact, see this as a silver lining. Take this chance to provide a haven for your guests. Improve your rental space, deep clean the place; it will surely help your business thrive.
Take up a notch and list your Airbnb rentals to rack up your business.
