Nothing is more off-putting for a guest than walking into a holiday home which has not been cleaned properly! First impressions are important; a sparkling clean home can set the tone for the entire stay. Thorough cleaning during guest changeovers is crucial to getting those sought-after 5 star reviews!
While attention to detail during cleaning can impress, a home that has not been cleaned thoroughly can make good reviews unlikely. Even seemingly minor issues can instantly put guests on edge! No guest wants to grab a mug out of the kitchen cupboard that has not been properly cleaned, or sleep on stained bedsheets. Simply put, it’s gross! But with proper planning and clear delegation of duties, you can ensure your property is spotless for each booking!
Linens
‘Trying to fold a fitted sheet is like wrestling an alligator and losing every time.’ ~ Martha Stewart
Set your property up for success! Making smart decisions regarding linens when setting up your holiday home can streamline turnovers and avoid common issues during cleanings.
Most importantly, purchase sufficient sets of linens and towels. Doing so will ensure that there is always a clean set available for changeovers. The Travel Fox recommends 3 sets of towels for each guest and 3 sets of linens per bed. This allows for one set on the bed, a clean set so that linens can be immediately changed during cleanings, and another spare for emergencies. Having the third set on hand can be helpful if there is a delay in washing the previous set. Rotating these sets is also advisable as it helps them wear at the same rate and prevents clean sheets from smelling stale from lack of use.
Which linens you choose and how you store them can also facilitate seamless cleaning. Keeping the 3 sets identical for each specific bed or bedroom can facilitate easier sorting. If beds in the property are different sizes, you may also want to consider using different colours or patterns to help with efficient bedding changes. This can avoid wasted time trying to put a double sheet onto a king bed! Whatever linens you choose, consider durability before purchasing as these linens will be washed much more frequently than they typically would for personal use. Remember to store the linens in an organised fashion as well; for instance, clearly labelled plastic bins can simplify turnovers for the cleaning team.
Think ahead!
‘Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.’ ~ John Ruskin
Whether you personally clean your property or use a cleaning company, there are several things to consider which can make cleanings easier and keep your property in good nick! When setting up your holiday home, put yourself in the guests’ shoes. Think about how a different spaces will be used and what might help a guest minimise messes.
When purchasing furniture and soft furnishing consider ease of cleaning and stain resistance. This is particularly applicable to high traffic items which will be subject to more wear and tear. For instance, a light-coloured fabric sofa in a flat’s only seating area will likely require time consuming cleaning.
Providing a small amount of basic cleaning supplies can also help guests stay on top of general housekeeping and clean up minor spills as they go. This may include items such as washing liquid and a sponge, kitchen roll or cloths, and a couple spare bin bags. Help your guests help you!
It is also a good idea to communicate any house rules in the guest check in information or a welcome booklet. This may include no smoking policies and the correct disposal of rubbish.
Best Practices of Turnovers
‘A checklist is the modern way to keep your life from running off the rails.’ ~ Unknown
Whether you are completing the cleanings yourself or hiring a cleaning company, the following basic principles can facilitate efficient and effective changeovers.
Firstly, always use quality cleaning supplies which are appropriate for the job at hand. If your cleaner does not provide their own supplies, we advise storing consumables in a locked cleaning cupboard or ottoman, so that supplies are on hand for cleaners when needed.
Some tasks must be completed between every booking. It should go without saying that all sheets and towels should be changed between guests! Surfaces and floors throughout the space should all be adequately cleaned, as should bathrooms and kitchens. The required frequency of some tasks will depend on occupancy rates and types of usage. For example, upholstered furnishings will need deep cleaning more often at a pet friendly home which is normally booked out. For areas that only require periodic attention, consider rotating the tasks over several cleanings.
It is easy to forget quick but essential tasks when completing a cleaning between stays. A checklist may help ensure that nothing is forgotten, as can a final inspection after the cleaning is completed. Remember that missing one item on the list can cause a negative review, which may impact future bookings.
Using Cleaning Companies
‘The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.’ ~ George Bernard Shaw
While some property owners choose to personally handle the cleaning of their property between bookings, many decide to outsource cleaning services.
It is important to choose a cleaning company that can do cleanings on any day of the week. This removes restrictions on which days guests can check-in and check-out, which usually increases a property’s occupancy. If possible, choose a company which can work on short notice in case of last-minute booking changes.
Regardless of the cleaning company you choose, it is essential to communicate job expectations as well as safety procedures. For instance, cleaners should be informed how they should report any issues requiring maintenance, or if they need to check fire alarms during turnovers. They should also be instructed to take inventories of missing or worn items that need replacing.
Remember to periodically inspect your cleaning service’s work, to keep high standards of cleanliness in your holiday home. Importantly, follow up with any issues that come up in reviews! If guests are dissatisfied by the cleanliness of your property, or you notice areas which need more attention, communicate this with the cleaners you use!
The Travel Fox
‘The secret to success is to surround yourself with the right people.’ ~ Kathy Ireland
Taking responsibility for organising cleanings between bookings can be a lot of work! This is why The Travel Fox arranges cleaning services for all its client’s properties with trusted third-party cleaning companies. We do the vetting so the property owner doesn’t have to! Importantly, due to property volumes, The Travel Fox can often access preferential rates versus independently managed holiday homes as well.
We know that clear communication keeps a holiday home running smoothly, which is why we provide the cleaning company with access to property calendars so they can check when changeovers are needed. Our cleaning companies also receive email notifications for each new booking. Crucially, most cleaning companies used by The Travel Fox can do next day turnovers, which facilitates last minute bookings and early check-outs.
Just in case, our team sends turnover reminders on the morning of check-outs as well; this reduces the likelihood of a missed clean. In this message, we always remind cleaners to test the fire alarms to ensure each holiday home is always complying with fire safety regulations.
For more information about how The Travel Fox can assist with your holiday let, please contact 0800 808 5559 or info@thetravelfox.co.uk!