The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on many industries — including the vacation rental industry. Many owners have found their reservations plummeting in the light of the pandemic. Others have been forced to close their doors. In many areas of the country, local governors are hopeful about being able to open the economy back up, which means an increase in vacation rentals throughout the summer months. At the same time, however, you want to make sure that you are thoroughly cleaning your vacation rentals after every guest’s arrival — not just to reset so the next guest can enjoy their stay in your rental, but to ensure that they are free of potential germs that could cause your renters to fall ill. But what are the best COVID-19 cleaning tips? Follow these suggestions for vacation rental cleaning amidst COVID-19.
1. Clean and sanitize all hard surfaces.
One of the best COVID-19 cleaning tips is to sanitize all surfaces. Prior to COVID-19, your cleaners probably wiped down countertops and the tops of furniture. They might have made sure that the dusting got taken care of. Now, vacation rental cleaning steps need to become more thorough. A few months ago, wiping down doorknobs, window handles, and stair railings might have been a passing concern: something that the cleaning staff didn’t pay a great deal of attention to. In the light of the pandemic, however, these high-touch areas are more important to clean than ever. Not only should the cleaning staff wipe them down, but they should also make sure they’re properly sanitized to ensure a lack of germ transmission.
2. Cleaning staff should take appropriate precautions.
Vacation rental cleaning processes don’t just involve wiping surfaces, they involve safety of the staff, too. Cleaning staff often have to deal with the worst that short-term renters leave behind. Now, however, “the worst” includes potential germs–and cleaners might accidentally transmit those germs between one property and another without realizing it, especially if they fall ill. Cleaning staff should take appropriate precautions to reduce the transmission of germs, whether they have strict policies to avoid touching their face and to wash their own hands after cleaning, or they go in with masks and gloves to help protect them from falling ill — or from sharing germs they might have acquired elsewhere with the next renter in your property.
3. Use the right cleaning products
In light of COVID-19, it’s important to not only clean surfaces but to ensure that they are disinfected properly. Take inventory of the products your cleaners use on a regular basis and make sure they’re using cleaners that are also rated as disinfectants. If they aren’t using a product that will safely clean a high percentage of germs, you may want to transition to a different type of cleaning product in your rental properties. Carefully evaluate “green” cleaners who claim to use eco-friendly products, since those supplies are less likely to fully sanitize your rental environment.
4. Sanitize towels and other linens.
Sanitizing towels and linens should always be a part of vacation rental cleaning. If you have white sheets and towels, wash them on hot with bleach to help kill any germs that may have made their way onto those cloth surfaces. Germs can linger long-term on cloth, so make sure they receive careful attention to prevent the transmission of germs. Wash all linens on the property, including items like comforters that might not always get washed between all guests.
5. Consider leaving more space between renters.
Of all the COVID-19 cleaning tips for vacation rentals, this might be the best. If you can leave a property open for two days between renters, you can substantially reduce the risk of transmitting coronavirus. By leaving the property empty for at least twenty-four hours, you’ll have time for coronavirus germs to die-off of most surfaces, including surfaces like dishes and silverware. Carefully consider your rental policies, especially in light of the pandemic.
Cleaning your properties between renters has always been a top priority for vacation rental cleaning processes. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, you want to make sure that your rental units are cleaner than ever before. By double-checking your disinfection and sanitation standards, you can keep your property’s cleaner and decrease the odds of infection for your renters.
By following this simple COVID-19 vacation rental cleaning checklist, your properties will become significantly safer. However, it’s always encouraged to practice caution during a time like this.
About VacationAtMyPlace.com: We are a vacation rental site serving the beaches of Maryland and Delaware. Property owners can list their properties for free, and guests will pay an industry-low 3% booking fee.
For more information, email us at info@VacationAtMyPlace.com or visit https://VacationAtMyPlace.com/ today!