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Clean and Prepare Rooms for Incoming Guests

Now more than ever, having a clean and disinfected vacation rental property is of utmost importance. 

Guests will be placing a higher emphasis on staying at properties that they know have high cleaning standards. 

That is why we want to give you some recommendations on how to keep a spick and span vacation rental property that makes the guest feel safe.

Step by Step Guide on How to Clean and Prepare Rooms for Incoming Guests 

Step 1 : Clean High Touch Surfaces First

Start by cleaning high touch surfaces such as table tops, door knobs, bathroom faucets, light, fridge, switches etc. with water and soap to take off the dirt.

Then clean and prepare Rooms for incoming guests use a disinfectant solution, here are some recommendations from the CDC (Center for Control and Prevention Disease): 

  • Follow the instructions on the label of the disinfectant so that it is effective. 
  • A lot of the products recommend that the surface should stay a couple of minutes with the disinfectant.
  • Make sure that the disinfectant has not expired. 

Products that you can use to clean and prepare rooms for incoming guests are: 

Bleach diluted only in water:  it should not be mixed with any other disinfectant or product. So that it works properly you need to leave it in the surface for at least 1 minute. 

The bleach solution should be: 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water. 

Alcohol solutions with a minimum of 70% alcohol

In the following link you will find the following EPA registered disinfectants that work against coronavirus and other viruses. 

*Note on cleaning cloths used to disinfect: If you reuse cloths to clean surfaces, these need to be cleaned afterwards and should be left to dry completely. Otherwise you will be spreading the germs. 

Also it is better to separate cleaning cloths per area: cloths for kitchen, cloths for bathrooms, cloths for bedrooms etc. 

Step 2:  Make Sure to Clean Floors of your Vacation Rental Property Regularly

Surfaces such as floors are one of the most dirty parts of your property, since you bring in dirt from the outside with your shoes. 

Make sure to vacuum each space of all your properties after each stay to lift off the dust, and then mop the floors thoroughly with warm water and a disinfectant solution mentioned in the EPA approved  list above.

Step 3: How to Clean Electronics in your Vacation Rental Property 

Not only do you need to clean and prepare rooms for incoming guests, you also have to take care of surfaces, but also those electronic items that are used frequently such as the TV remote control or screens. 

You can follow the instructions of the manufacturer as to how to clean them, otherwise you can use a wipe or spray with at least 70% alcohol.

Always make sure to leave the solution for a minute and then dry the electronic item so that it the liquid does not enter.

Step 4:  Clean Dirty Linens of Your Vacation Rental Property 

Make sure that when you replace the dirty linens such as bed covers, undercovers, towels etc. do not shake them, this might spatter the germs to other surfaces. 

You should clean the linens at the highest temperature possible to kill the virus and dry them completely. 

Do not forget to clean and prepare rooms for incoming Guests and equip them with the bins in each room, these too are high touch surfaces. If you do not wish to clean them all the time you can cover them with disposable eco-friendly bags.

Step 5:  Cleaning Dishes, Eating & Cooking Utensils at your Vacation Rental Property

In the kitchen area you will probably have dishes, cooking and eating utensils that have been used over and over again. 

You can disinfect these by simply cleaning them with soap and hot water, make sure to use disposable gloves to wash. 

If you have a dishwasher, it is even better since it can clean at a high temperature.

Now with these steps and tips on how to clean and prepare rooms for incoming guest,s all your properties will be shiny and germ free.