Airbnb Design Ideas | Turno Guide for New Hosts

Ultimate Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

The Turno Team — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 20:46:39 +0000

What Is an Airbnb Cleaning Checklist?

An Airbnb cleaning checklist is a physical or digital list of tasks for hosts or cleaning services to complete between guest stays. Cleaning checklists make turnover tasks like laundering linens and towels, washing dishes, and disinfecting high-touch areas easier to manage.

Airbnb cleaning often requires a fast turnaround. Cleaning checklists help to ensure every corner of a vacation rental is thoroughly cleaned – reducing the risk of repeat cleans or areas of the property being overlooked. With a streamlined cleaning process, Airbnb hosts and cleaners can provide a welcoming home that consistently achieves high guest satisfaction.

Need to Find an Airbnb Cleaner
for Your Vacation Rental?

Get Instant Quote

Benefits of Using an Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

Detailed vacation rental cleaning checklists prepare Airbnbs for the next guests and showcase a commitment to organization and attention to detail in any cleaning routine. This level of professionalism can lead to positive reviews from guests, ultimately helping to attract more bookings. Discover more benefits of using an Airbnb cleaning checklist below:

Cleaning Checklist Benefits for Hosts

A cleaning checklist can be a lifesaver for hosts. Cleaning a vacation rental between guests can be a hectic task. Hosts often juggle multiple responsibilities, and having a checklist streamlines the process. By following a property-specific checklist, hosts know that their turnover cleaners can efficiently tackle each cleaning task and verify everything is completed. This efficiency is crucial, especially during peak booking seasons when turnovers are fast and frequent.

Consistency is key in the hospitality industry. Guests expect a certain level of cleanliness and presentation when they arrive at a vacation rental. A checklist helps maintain consistency by outlining specific cleaning standards to be met after each stay. This ensures that every guest enjoys a clean and comfortable environment, regardless of when they arrive.

Moreover, time is money. For hosts who manage multiple properties or balance hosting responsibilities with other jobs, time-saving measures are invaluable. A well-organized cleaning checklist ensures thorough cleaning and helps complete a turnover in less time. This means more time can be allocated to other essential aspects of managing the rental property or even taking a well-deserved break.

Cleaning Checklist Benefits for Cleaners

A vacation rental cleaner’s success is closely tied to the reviews given by guests to the Airbnb host. If a host receives poor feedback about their property’s cleanliness, they will look for another cleaner for their turnover projects.

A cleaning checklist helps prevent bad reviews about cleanliness by ensuring the cleaner and the host are on the same page. Checklists provide cleaners with an exact layout of what needs to be cleaned, stocked, and staged so they never miss a spot – ensuring themselves and their clients five-star reviews.

Additionally, vacation rental cleaning checklists streamline the cleaning process by enabling cleaners to prioritize the most important cleaning tasks and manage their time effectively. Checklists also help cleaning teams understand a property’s specific cleaning requirements, outside of core turnover tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and sanitizing.

Cleaning Checklist Benefits for Guests

Guests feel more comfortable in rentals that are properly cleaned and sanitized. An attractive property that is visibly free of mess and clutter can offer guests a chance to escape their everyday lives.

Airbnb guests don’t want to arrive at unclean properties. Specifically, a property that shows any sign of the last person’s stay can immediately make the guest uncomfortable and uneasy about their booking choice. Airbnb reviews tend to be heavily swayed by the cleanliness of the property. Guests are much more likely to give 5-star reviews and book again when their Airbnb is spick and span.

How to Build an Effective Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

Creating an effective Airbnb cleaning checklist is crucial for both hosts and cleaners to ensure that the property is always cleaned thoroughly between guests. Here are some steps to help build a comprehensive checklist:

Identify cleaning areas by listing all the places that need to be cleaned, including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living room, outdoor spaces, and any other guest-accessible areas.
Break down the cleaning tasks into specific actions for each area of the home. For example, in the bathroom, tasks may include cleaning the toilet, wiping surfaces, scrubbing the shower, checking and removing hair from the sink and shower drain, checking inside cabinets, and laundering and replacing all towels.
Specify which cleaning supplies and equipment are needed for each task, if applicable. This ensures cleaners have everything they need to complete the job effectively and minimizes product-induced damage to the home’s surfaces or furniture.
Determine how often each task needs to be completed. Some tasks, like changing bed linens, must be done after every guest, while others, like deep cleaning upholstered furniture, may only need to be done periodically.
Add reference photos to your checklist for all high-priority areas. This helps hosts and cleaners ensure the post-clean property matches its ideal presentation, listing images, and guest expectations.

Don’t forget to periodically review the cleaning checklist to identify any areas that need to be added or updated. Guest feedback can also provide valuable insights into areas that need extra attention.

Utilize these steps to create a thorough Airbnb cleaning checklist that helps maintain a clean and welcoming environment for guests. Regular communication between hosts and cleaners is also important to ensure any cleanliness issues are addressed promptly.

Are You a Vacation Rental Cleaner Looking for More Business?

Find Hosts in Your Area

How to Use an Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

The Turno checklist feature allows hosts to create and share professional Airbnb cleaning checklists. Dozens of popular templates are available to help get started and hosts can easily customize checklists to match the exact needs of each property. Vacation rental cleaners follow these checklists to ensure every short-term rental cleaning goes smoothly.

Create a vacation rental cleaning checklist on Turno and assign different checklists to different properties. With Turno’s cleaning checklist feature, cleaning items can be added, updated, or subtracted quickly. Hosts can also add guidance photos to checklists that illustrate precisely how the space should look after a turnover. Guidance photos help ensure that every cleaner knows how to properly restage the space, even if they’re new or a backup cleaning service.

Checklists are viewable on both the website and the Turno mobile app. On the mobile app, cleaners simply check the circles next to the checklist items and then “complete” the project when finished. Turno’s checklist feature also enables cleaners to upload timestamped photos as they complete tasks. These photos ensure that the property’s decor is reset as intended and provide proof of cleaning and amenity placement, such as a photo of the remote control and user guide left on the TV console. This gives hosts real-time quality assurance.

Hosts also receive an email notification when the cleaner marks the project as complete. This provides peace of mind especially when the turnover window is tight and the next set of guests is soon to arrive.

Airbnb Cleaning Checklist PDF

We’ve created a sample turnover cleaning checklist PDF for hosts and cleaners to view and download. Our printable Airbnb checklist template is organized by room, so it’s easy to use and simple to use

Download a Free Airbnb Checklist PDF

You’ve Got the Checklist, Now Find the Cleaner!

Get Instant Cleaning Quote

Simplify Cleaning With an Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

Turno offers a range of features designed to streamline and automate vacation rental turnover operations. With quality assurance tools such as photo checklists, hosts can confirm that each cleaning task meets their standards before guests arrive.

Simplify day-to-day operations by incorporating Programa de Afiliación para Anfitriones into the cleaning process. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Turno is the ultimate solution for vacation rental hosts looking to optimize their cleaning management. Say goodbye to missed tasks and hello to a more efficient, effective cleaning process with Turno.

The post Ultimate Airbnb Cleaning Checklist appeared first on Turno.

How to Furnish an Airbnb: Tips for Your New Rental

Fernish — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 19:15:21 +0000

Should You Rent Your Airbnb Furniture and Décor?

Congrats — you’ve managed to get your hands on rental property in this insane real estate market. You’re excited to start bringing in a steady cash flow to offset the mortgage. You go to list your Airbnb and quickly become overwhelmed by the other listings in the area that seem fairly comparable.

You start thinking, “What did I get myself into?” “How am I going to compete with all these other listings?” “I don’t have enough money left over to decorate an inviting space.”

That’s where premium furniture rental companies come in, allowing you to rent, rent-to-own, or buy high-quality designer furniture. By paying over time, you don’t have to break the bank to decorate your place. Even better — there are no delivery, assembly, or pickup fees.

Below, learn some convenient and inexpensive ways to freshen up your Airbnb through premium furniture rental.

Set the Mood, Starting With Color

Find a starting color you love. Keep in mind cool colors create serenity, while warm colors evoke energy and emotion. Next, choose which combination evokes the feeling you want.

Neutrals

Clean and classic, neutral palettes evoke a sense of calm and serenity
Use muted tones of whites, grays, beiges, and browns

Monochromatic

A sophisticated look that uses different shades of the same color
Great for adding color to a room while maintaining consistency

Complementary

Makes a statement by adding energy and excitement to your space
Choose colors on the opposite sides of the color wheel

Analogous

Known for being natural and harmonious — think of a sunset
A style that pairs two or more colors that are next to each other on the color wheel

Split Complementary

Playful and fun, this palette lets you inject your personality into your space
Choose the main color, and then the two colors on either side of its complement

Protect and Spruce Up Your Floors

Rental properties with hardwood floors tend to fetch more demand and higher revenue. The downside is they risk wear-and-tear due to the high number of people coming in and out.

By covering your wood floors with rugs you liven up the space, make it feel homier, and best of all, you protect your wood floor investment. It’s much easier to swap out a new rug than it is to redo wood flooring. If you want some extra cushion and to keep rugs from sliding around too much, you can anchor it with a rug pad.

A well-placed rug can either amp up or mellow out a room. Add pattern and texture for more excitement, or use a calm neutral to mute loud colors elsewhere in the space. Here’s how to do it room by room:

Bedroom

In a large bedroom, place your rug in front of the nightstands unless your space demands otherwise. If you have a queen bed, opt for an 8×10 foot rug. If your bed is king-sized, use a 9×12 foot rug.

For a smaller bedroom, place your rug so it extends 36 inches on either side of the bed. Rooms with queen beds work best with 5×8 foot rugs, and those with king beds should have a 6×9 foot rug.

Bed against the wall? Try placing a runner from the nightstand to the foot of the bed.

Living Room

A Persian-style rug is great for high-traffic areas such as the living room where people won’t always take off their shoes. The intricate pattern conveniently hides small imperfections and messes.

If your living room furniture is by a wall, the front two legs of all furniture should be on the same rug. We recommend using an 8×10 or 6×9 foot rug, depending on the size of your room.

Smaller living areas may need a smaller option. In these cases, put a 4×6 or 5×7 foot rug under the coffee table or another central piece of furniture to define the space.

Dining Room

No matter the shape of your dining table, don’t forget to make sure all chairs still remain on the rug when they are pulled out.

For rectangular tables, use an 8×10 or 9×12 foot rectangular rug. For circular tables, the rug should generally extend 2 feet beyond each side of the table. This usually equates to a rug with a 7- to 9-foot diameter.

Change things up and give your rental a refresh without spending any extra money by easily swapping out rugs from various rooms. A different rug, though a seemingly small change, will breathe new life into a space. Once you have your floors covered (pun intended), you can decorate the rest of your rental from the ground up.

Elevate Your Aesthetic With Some Quick Tricks

Fernish sat down with Katie Hodges, Principal Designer and Creative Director of Katie Hodges Design, to discuss four simple furniture and décor tips that will give your vacation rental a fresh new look.

1. Accent Chairs

Put a sculptural chair in the corner or a foundational chair on each side of your sofa. Whether basic or ornate, accent chairs offer additional seating without taking up as much space as an additional couch.

You can change your entire look by switching out your accent chairs. Go for something funkier and more creative for a fresh new look.

2. Lighting

Create a soothing ambiance by replacing harsh overhead lighting with smaller, warmer lights throughout the space. To create the illusion of more space, place mirrors across from a window to reflect natural light throughout your room.

To change your space without updating your foundation pieces, such as your sofa or sectional, use lamps to mix things up. Change your table lamps, swap out your lampshades, or add a floor lamp.

3. Plants

When selecting plants, vary the size of the leaves to keep the room visually interesting. Contrast a large sculptural leaf, such as a fiddle leaf fig, with a plant that has more delicate leaves.

For great starter plants that can survive with low light and little water, try a philodendron, snake plant, or pothos vine. Play around with pots and look for vintage scores on Etsy and at local flea markets. If you don’t have a green thumb, at least the vessels will look pretty.

4. Materials

When it comes to wood, you can mix and match light and dark woods, but stick to either cool or warm undertones and choose a consistent finish (e.g., matte or varnish).

Next, choose metals that complement your wood tones. Copper and gold are warm; cast iron and stainless steel are cool.

Bonus Tip

Think about your walls and ceiling as valuable assets. Try hanging a large piece of art, a large lamp, or a chandelier in a small space to add drama. Adding mirrors can also create the illusion of more space.

Make the most of vertical wall space for efficient storage in a small home or apartment. Leaning, floating, or doorframe-mounted shelves are great options. Reducing visible clutter will also add to your feeling of calm. Hide cables, remotes, and knick-knacks in elegant boxes or baskets.

Craft the Perfect Guest Experience With the Right Furniture and Décor

Guests want hotel-like convenience and sophistication with all the basic amenities of home. Polished furniture and décor allow you to provide both: the familiar, luxurious comfort of a hotel with a home-away-from-home experience — but don’t forget to provide a coffee maker and toilet paper.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to furnish and decorate your short-term rental. And no matter how you choose to do so, you can make a great first impression when a guest checks in with a dreamy entryway, cozy living room, and zen bedroom furniture.

The post How to Furnish an Airbnb: Tips for Your New Rental appeared first on Turno.

Airbnb Interior Design Tips for a Modern Look

Fernish — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 19:48:53 +0000

Understanding Modern Design for Airbnb

Modern interior design is all about creating inviting yet functional short-term rental spaces. It’s characterized by clean lines, neutral palettes, pops of color, geometric shapes, and a combination of natural and industrial materials.

Some of the key characteristics of modern Airbnb interior design are detailed below.

Clean Lines

Lines that are clean and simple in design are easy for the eye to follow and have a visually uncomplicated appearance. These lines can be vertical, horizontal, or even curved.

Neutrals Tones With Pops of Color

To make spaces feel light and open, modern design features slews of neutral tones such as gray, beige, brown, and white. Pops of color, such as fire-engine red, orange, mustard, and turquoise, are also common in modern design.

Geometric Shapes

In modern design, geometric shapes with clean lines and clear, perfect edges are often used in a pattern to give the space a sophisticated feel.

Natural Materials

Natural materials, such as woods, stones, and rattans, are a foundational element of modern design. The intent of these materials is to make spaces feel tranquil and welcoming.

Modern Airbnb Interior Design Styles

Now that you know some key staples of modern design elements, let’s dig into the different subcategories.

While “modern farmhouse” and “mid-century modern” looks both have “modern” in their names, they are wildly different. Read on to learn about the various niches and how each substyle differs.

Minimalism

Minimalist design is just that — minimal or simple in nature. It features clean lines and neutral color palettes. Minimalist design is all about creating open, streamlined, and inviting spaces.

Scandinavian

Scandinavian design is centered around creating functional spaces that are open and filled with light. They often feature neutral color palettes and natural elements such as solid wood.

Japandi

Japandi is the perfect fusion of two modern styles. It takes the functionality of Scandinavian design and combines it with the neutral minimalism of Japanese style to create soothing, decluttered spaces.

Industrial

Modern industrial style is all about making something old feel new by using raw materials and unfinished elements to create an updated, urban feel.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern is defined by simple, clean lines and functional silhouettes. It can be mixed with other styles easily because it is not overly ornate.

Modern Farmhouse

Modern farmhouse design removes the rustic feel of the traditional “farmhouse” style and brings in neutral colors. The style offers cleaner and smoother lines, which create a more polished and finished feel.

Glam

Glam modern design creates elevated, luxe spaces through the use of metallics and shiny finishes, balancing light with these refined accents.

How to Incorporate Modern Design in Your Airbnb

You don’t have to stick to just one modern style; you can play around and weave in different modern design elements from various subcategories. Layered spaces with curated designs feel more thoughtful and homey. Create a space using a few different styles to see which ones speak to you the most.

If you are looking for design inspiration or feeling stumped about where to get started, you can search hashtags like #moderndesign, #japandi, #scandidesign, and #modernfarmhouse on Instagram.

Bookmark the photos you like best and create an impromptu mood board. If you’re feeling extra ambitious you can even make a Pinterest board. The great thing about Pinterest is that it uses AI to recommend similar products and photos. Once you pin a few that you like, the suggestions will roll in without you having to do any of the sourcing.

Share your mood boards with friends and family to get feedback. You can even set your Pinterest modern design board to collaboration mode and invite specific people to contribute to it. This is a fun way to go back and forth with people whose style you admire and to bounce ideas off one another.

Want an easy way to see the different modern looks in one place? This virtual design quiz recommends products you can rent, rent to own, or buy based on your selected preferences. It only takes a few clicks and is a fun and easy way to get inspired.

The post Airbnb Interior Design Tips for a Modern Look appeared first on Turno.

Must-Have Airbnb Cleaning Supplies

The Turno Team — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 02:32:00 +0000

Airbnb Cleaning Supplies: The Essentials

Much like a mechanic’s toolbox, each cleaner’s supply kit will vary. The following supply list is a starting point to expand upon as you determine more specific items to fit your needs.

Top supplies to clean your Airbnb rental include:

Vacuum
Mop (traditional or Swiffer type)
All-purpose cleaner
Glass cleaner
Disinfectant wipes
Microfiber cloths
Toilet brush
Duster
Wood polish

You may choose to store these supplies at your property so that guests can easily clean up spills or other messes made during their stay. If you prefer to not implement Airbnb guest cleaning expectations, these basic supplies are crucial for completing thorough turnovers.

Top Airbnb Cleaning Supplies by Room

Once you have your essential supplies stocked, you may choose to invest in additional cleaning tools and equipment to help make vacation rental cleaning more efficient and effective. Below, learn some of our top Airbnb cleaning supplies for each room of your property.

Best Tools for the Bathroom

Airbnb bathrooms collect dust, hair, and other dirt and bacteria. It’s imperative to clean your bathrooms with the utmost attention to detail. No guest after a long day of travel wants to step into a shower or tub with grime and soap scum.

OXO Deep Clean Brush Set

Since most bathrooms have tiles on the floor and/or in the shower, tackling the grout is a must while cleaning. The OXO Deep Clean Brush comes in a set of two, a large brush and a small brush. The bristles are perfect for handling grout in the bathroom and stovetops in the kitchen.

Pair it with The Pink Stuff miracle cleaning paste to fully remove dirt or grime from any surface. The Pink Stuff uses all-natural, vegan ingredients, so there is also no worry about harsh chemicals while you clean.

Castile Soap is eco-friendly and good for guests who are sensitive to scents or have allergies. This alternative cleaning agent is great to use within the bathroom, and your guests will appreciate having a fresh-scented bathroom that isn’t overwhelming.

Sprayway Glass Cleaner

Bathroom mirrors attract streaks and water stains with each guest’s stay, and Sprayway Glass Cleaner is the perfect product to achieve that sparkling reflection. Although the product says “glass cleaner,” the ammonia-free spray is perfect for mirrors as well.

This product is also helpful to clean windows and screens on TVs and computers, so use this product in every room of your short-term rental. Pair it with a microfiber cloth to minimize the chances of getting any lint or streaks on the surfaces you’re cleaning.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is perfect for erasing built-up grime on bathtubs and shower walls. To use a Magic Eraser, just soak it in water and it’s good to go for tackling any surface.

Drano

Paying attention to small details like clogged drains will only benefit you. Drano can be used for the sink and shower drain. It is a great product to help remove hair, mildew build-up, and more.

Squeegees

Mirrors, showers, and tiles should be cleaned with a squeegee. This cleaning tool eliminates streaks and collects excess water or soap. Also, it will save you time and money from having to launder multiple rags or microfiber cloths per clean.

Best Tools for the Kitchen

Many travelers opt for vacation rentals because they have kitchens, but Airbnb kitchens can easily become dirty from cooking and eating. The cleaning supplies below are versatile and can also be used beyond this room in the house.

Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scour Pads

For scrubbing countertops and stoves, Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scour Pads make the job a lot easier and are effective on many types of surfaces.

Lambswool Duster

A lambswool duster is useful for reaching the tops of high cabinets and the refrigerator to get rid of dust or cobwebs. This particular type of duster is recommended because the heads are washable, reusable, and easy to keep clean.

Vacation rental hosts or cleaners can also use a lambswool duster to clear out the dust on window blinds and ceiling fans — making it easy to clean your rental property from top to bottom.

Easy Off Oven Cleaner

If the Airbnb you are cleaning has an oven and stove, invest in a good oven cleaner. You’ll want to purchase a cleaner and degreaser. Fortunately, Easy Off Oven Cleaner can clean and degrease at an affordable price. This product will eliminate wasted time trying to scrub and then degrease the oven and stove.

Counter Top Cleaner

Quartz and Granite are the most common Airbnb kitchen countertops. These cleaners and polishes also help protect the countertop from stains or dullness. Your clients will appreciate the thoughtfulness of helping them maintain their property value. Thus, increasing your value as their cleaner.

Best Tools for Bedrooms and Living Areas

Of course, you’ll want to be sure to dust the furniture in your Airbnb bedrooms and living room, as well as sanitize high-touch surfaces like light switches and remote controls. One of the trickier things to clean in these rooms, however, is the flooring. Learn some of our top picks for cleaning carpets and hardwood floors.

Bissell Deep Cleaner

Got stubborn stains on the carpet? The Bissell Little Green ProHeat Corded Handheld Deep Cleaner easily handles tough stains guests may have left on the carpet. Equipped with a 48-ounce tank and different hose options, it also tackles stains on furniture, keeping your entire rental clean.

Looking for a Bissell Cleaner that also tackles pet stains? Check out the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Corded Deep Cleaner.

Dyson V11 Pro

When it comes to quick cleaning, nothing can beat the Dyson V11 Pro, as it has twice the suction of other vacuum cleaners on the market. And since this device is cordless, reaching far corners and tight spaces in your vacation rental will be a breeze.

The Dyson V11 Pro has 120 minutes of charge and can easily switch between different types of floors. The best part? It comes with an extra filter and battery to ensure maximum efficiency.

Bissell Power Fresh Steam Mop

To attain that “sparkling clean” look on tile or hardwood, the Bissell Power Fresh Steam Mop is the best fit. The steam mop not only scrubs away dried-up grime but also sanitizes hardwood floors, killing 99.9% of germs.

The steam mop also comes with fragrance disks, releasing a fresh scent into the room while you clean.

What to Consider When Choosing Airbnb Cleaning Supplies

You may have several turnovers a week, meaning you’ll likely go through cleaning supplies fairly quickly. Not to mention, with so many guests coming in and out, you’ll want to ensure that your products are providing the ultimate cleaning and germ protection.

Below, we discuss what to consider when selecting cleaning supplies for your Airbnb. Of course, you may rely on your professional cleaning service to supply the right products to keep your property spotless. Still, it’s important to speak with your cleaners to make sure they’re using high-quality supplies that check all your boxes.

Effective

First and foremost, you want your Airbnb cleaning supplies to be effective at eliminating bacteria and dirt. Especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic, your disinfecting products should be able to kill various types of common microbes and do so quickly.

No Rinsing Required

For many products to work optimally, they must sit on the surface you’re cleaning for several minutes. But ideally, you shouldn’t have to rinse your products off of shower walls or countertops at all.

This can save you valuable time as you’re preparing your property for the next set of guests. There may be times when you have to reset your vacation rental in only a couple of hours. With no-rinse products, you can spray and forget — and have confidence that they’re thoroughly cleaning your home.

Sustainable

Many hosts and guests alike prefer non-toxic, all-natural, or organic products for cleaning. You may opt for these types of products to get your property dirt-, dust-, and germ-free without harsh chemicals. That said, you’ll want to be sure that these “green” cleaning supplies are effective.

Accessible

Your favorite cleaning products must be affordable and consistently in stock. If your top supplies are always unavailable at your local grocery store or online — or if they’re not cost-effective — it may be time to look for something more accessible.

Multi-Tasking

Having fewer products means less to store at your property or lug around for when it’s time to complete a turnover cleaning. Finding cleaning solutions that can sanitize various surfaces, such as glass, laminate, and steel, makes for a more efficient and convenient cleaning process.

Delight Guests With a Sparkling Clean Rental

Of course, a clean short-term rental benefits guests looking for a relaxing and enjoyable traveling experience. Cleanliness is also critical for hosts, however. A thoroughly cleaned vacation rental leads to higher guest satisfaction and more 5-star reviews.

As an Amazon Associate, Turno earns from qualifying purchases.

The post Must-Have Airbnb Cleaning Supplies appeared first on Turno.

Cleaning Vacation Rentals? Don’t Miss These Commonly Overlooked Areas

The Turno Team — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 01:11:00 +0000

Top 9 Missed Places During Turnover Cleaning

Below, find out which spots get overlooked the most when cleaning vacation rentals.

1. Light Switches

These are often touched and frequently used but can easily be overlooked in cleaning. We recommend thoroughly wetting with a disinfecting wipe. For full disinfection to take place, the surface must stay visibly wet for approximately 4 minutes.

2. Security and Lock Keypads

Many properties use a keypad for easy guest entry. This is often on the exterior of the house but can be missed when only focusing on the inside.

These should be cleaned similarly to light switches by ensuring they stay visibly wet with a cleaning solution for several minutes. While this is usually the first point of contact for guests, it is often overlooked during the cleaning process.

3. Towel Racks

Obviously, towels and linens are cleaned between guests, but make sure you don’t forget about the towel racks. Not only do these come into contact with guest towels but they are almost always covered and never get much of a chance to breathe.

These should be wiped down thoroughly to ensure they don’t pass any unwanted germs or odors from a dirty towel to a new clean one.

4. TV Remotes

If there is a TV, smart device, or even a fan, chances are it’s accompanied by a remote. Make sure these are cleaned well to limit the chances of spreading germs in your vacation rental.

We even suggest taking the batteries out so you can depress the buttons and clean the spaces in between them without messing with the TV.

5. Dresser Handles and Knobs

Other highly-touched surfaces that are often neglected are handles and knobs for dressers and cabinets.

Make sure these are cleaned well — and while you’re at it, wipe down the insides of the drawers too. Let surfaces dry fully after they’ve been wet to get the full benefit of the disinfectant cleaner.

6. AC Filters

A clean AC filter is very important for an efficient and longer-lasting air conditioning system. The first step to cleaning your AC filter is to vacuum it. For window AC units, take off the cover and vacuum regularly. To avoid damaging the filter, make sure to use the vacuum attachment without a brush.

Next, soak the filter in a bathtub with room temperature water. Add enough liquid detergent to lather up the tub, then submerge the filter for about 10 to 15 minutes. After soaking, use a hose to wash off the soapy solution and let the filter dry.

Then, spray the filter with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Wait around 10 to 15 minutes for the solution to kill any bacteria and rinse. Lastly, let the AC filter air dry for at least two hours, depending on the size. Rest the filter on the wall with newspapers on the ground to speed up the process. Ensure the filter is fully dried before putting it back in the unit.

7. Coffee Makers

If you have a Keurig, it is essential to clean the water reservoir because it can start to retain mold and mineral deposits after a long period without cleaning.

To do this, empty out the reservoir and take apart the coffee maker to wash any removable parts of the machine with dish soap. Dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and clean around the part where the coffee pod goes in, as well as the water reservoir area. After the pieces are dry, reassemble the coffee maker to wash out the inside of it.

Fill the reservoir with 4 cups of white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Run the machine with nothing except for the vinegar and water solution, and keep running it until the machine cycles all of the solutions. Repeat the process of the vinegar cycle but with plain water to rinse out any remaining gunk and vinegar from inside the machine.

Now, the machine should be fully clean and ready for making fresh coffee. To learn how to remove coffee stains, visit this article.

8. Fridge

While it is important to wipe down the outside of the fridge with a disinfectant, it is just as important to clean out the inside and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

To clean out the refrigerator, make sure to:

Empty everything out of the fridge and throw out expired food
Take out shelves, drawers, and any containers in the fridge
Wash the removable parts with dish soap and dry
Use a soapy towel to wipe the inside of the fridge, then wipe with a different clean towel to dry
Put everything back inside of the fridge after all the shelving has dried

For a clean-smelling fridge, leave an open box of baking soda inside to help combat strong odors.

9. Dishwasher

Having a clean dishwasher means having even cleaner dishes. But your dishwasher can accrue mold without proper care, so it is important to be thorough while cleaning.

First, take the racks, filter, and utensil holders out of the dishwasher and soak them in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar for 30 minutes. Next, remove debris by wiping the inside of the dishwasher and using a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.

Fill a bowl with white vinegar, place it in the dishwasher, and run it on a hot water cycle. Then, take out the bowl, sprinkle about one cup of baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher, and run a short cycle. After the short cycle, your dishwasher should be good as new. Remember to wipe the outside door of the appliance as well.

How to Ensure a Thorough Cleaning Every Time

It’s no secret that cleaning a vacation rental is a demanding task. You have to get an entire home clean in just a few hours while making sure to dust, sanitize, and vacuum every nook and cranny.

A helpful way to remember all of your cleaning to-dos — and never overlook an item or area in your short-term rental again — is to use a checklist.

To make sure you never miss a cleaning and that everything is ready to go for each set of guests, turn to Programa de Afiliación para Anfitriones. Our app connects professional cleaners with hosts to put vacation rental cleaning on autopilot.

The post Cleaning Vacation Rentals? Don’t Miss These Commonly Overlooked Areas appeared first on Turno.