Cleaning Amongst Covid…

Vacation rental cleaning during the current climate requires attention to things that may have or could have been overlooked in years past. Certain details of the cleaning that used to be under the category of “every so often” or “if we have time” have now become mandatory. There are always going to be some inherent risks when entering a home of being exposed to harmful germs of bacteria, but what are some best practices and necessary measures that a vacation rental cleaning company and a vacation rental property management company can use when prepping a home for an Air Bnb, Home Away, VRBO, or any other rental guest?

It’s important to look at the vacation rental cleaning from the two perspectives. The first being “what can the cleaners do to protect themselves and not bring in any harmful germs or baceria into the home”. The second being, “What are things that the property management company and the cleaners can do to thoroughly clean and disinfect the home”

It should go with out saying that anyone that is experiencing symptoms of Covid 19 should get tested and not be entering other peoples homes, obviously that is the case for cleaners or property managers entering a rental property as well. Cleaners should be protecting themselves and others by wearing a face mask and gloves during the duration of their time inside the home. In addition, only freshly washed and bleached rags should be used in the home. Something that is often overlooked is vacuum bags, I would recommend a new vacuum bag be used for each home. It is also very important that property managers only use white bedding so that it can be bleached and to ensure that all provided soaps are antibacterial.

While it would be nearly impossible to completely disinfect an entire home in just a few hours, there are a few things that should now be done every clean. A disinfectant wipe should be taken to all high contact surfaces. These would be things like door handles, light switches, faucets, shower and toilet levers, hand rails, etc. It is also necessary to use a disinfecting spray in the air, on linens, and all horizontal surfaces such as tables and counter tops.

While there are many practices and precautions that vacation rental cleaners can take to disinfect a home, don’t forget as a guest to take any extra precautions you feel fit. Whether it is spraying down the home yourself with disinfecting spray upon entry or regularly using hand sanitizer, in todays world you can never be too cautious or careful.