Before preparing for a vacation rental turn-over, it is important to set up a checklist of cleaning tasks. Your list should include those tasks that need to be done after every rental, and also those that can wait until a later time. Include chores that your guests might not notice, such as returning the furniture to its original position or wiping down countertops. You can also ask your guests to help you with certain tasks, which will save you time and effort.
Tips for a flawless vacation rental turnover
The cleaning of a vacation rental is a critical step to creating a memorable experience for your renters. This job requires thorough cleaning, including changing beds and linens, wiping down appliances, and cleaning all nooks and crannies. A comprehensive checklist will help you get the job done in a timely manner.
Before your tenants check out, you must communicate with them about what needs to be done. This includes the check-in and check-out times. The cleaning company will need to be aware of these times. If the schedule allows for a larger window, this will help the cleaning process go smoothly.
Speed is critical, especially for turnover cleaning. Often, the turnaround time is only a few hours. No one wants to wait a long time for the cleaners to arrive. It’s therefore important to learn to clean a property in an hour or less. This is true whether you rent out the property privately or through a service.
When cleaning a vacation rental, you should have a backup key for the property. This will avoid the hassle of losing the key to the cleaning company or guests. It is also wise to install a keyless entry system. This will eliminate the risk of guest theft and give you the flexibility to change access codes as needed.
Schedule cleanings in advance
Planning ahead for vacation rental turnover cleanings can help to increase bookings. It also allows cleaning services to have a wider window for their work. By scheduling the cleanings ahead of time, you will have a clearer idea of when you want the rental ready for guests. Moreover, you will be able to maximize the time you have to prepare the vacation rental.
In addition, make sure that you screen the employees of the cleaning company. Having a thorough screening ensures that you’ll hire only trustworthy employees. A professional company will also conduct background checks on their staff. A thorough screening will prevent any unpleasant situations from occurring. It is essential to keep an eye on maintenance of your vacation rental, even if you don’t need a thorough cleaning every once in a while.
Aside from avoiding traffic issues, you can also plan in advance for the cleaning. For example, scheduling the cleaning on a Saturday will allow the cleaning company to avoid the rush on Friday. However, this may not be ideal as traffic on Saturdays is very heavy. Moreover, it’s hard to find a cleaning crew that is available at these hours.
Aside from scheduling the cleaning in advance, you can also invite a cleaning company via email or text message. Moreover, once you sign up, the service will be connected automatically. Another good idea is to download the TurnoverBnB mobile app to communicate with your cleaners. The app is available for iPhones and Androids, and allows you to manage all projects in one place. This way, you can choose the best cleaners and keep track of their availability.
Charge a cleaning fee
When pricing your vacation rental, you’ll need to consider a few different things, including the time and resources required to clean the property and its amenities. A standard cleaning includes changing out linens and sanitizing surfaces, restocking kitchen and bath supplies, and checking for any damage or issues. If your property is large or has multiple units, you may want to consider hiring a professional cleaner.
It’s common for vacation rental owners to charge a cleaning fee for the property after a guest stays. While this fee may be high, it typically covers the costs of hiring a cleaning crew to clean the property. A cleaning crew will spend an equal amount of time preparing the rental for its next guest, so the fee covers the cost of supplies and compensates the cleaning staff’s time. Airbnb housekeepers do not typically ask for tips from guests.
The length of stay is another important factor to consider when setting a cleaning fee. A one-night booking will likely require less cleaning than a 14-night stay, and you may want to charge a higher fee for longer stays. While this may increase your nightly rates, it can also make your guests feel more comfortable knowing exactly how much they will be spending on cleaning.
In addition to charging a cleaning fee, it’s also helpful to organize a deep cleaning schedule. It’s best to schedule this once or twice a year, rather than monthly. That way, you’ll avoid having to hire cleaning services on a regular basis.
Limit linens
Keeping your vacation rental linens as light as possible is an easy way to save money while ensuring a quick turnover cleaning. Towels should be of high quality with at least 14 pounds per set, but many companies have invested in 17 pounds towels. While most companies provide two bath towels per occupant, you can limit the number of bath towels to one. Hand towels should be provided for each bath, but should be of lower quality than bath towels.
While ironing all linens after every guest might sound like a good idea, it’s not realistic for your guests to be able to do it themselves. Choose linens that are wrinkle-free, such as cotton/poly sheets. You can also iron pillowcases to add a nice touch to the bed. Vacation rentals should also have a “linen par” – a specific number of linens per guest. Typically, you’ll have three sets of linen and three sets of towels for each guest.
If you’re concerned about the quality of your linens, you can hire a professional to perform your turnover cleaning. He or she will provide you with specific instructions and supplies. This will ensure that the job is done right the first time. A professional cleaner can also make recommendations on how to properly care for linens.
Limit guest access to your home
Limiting guest access to your home during vacation rental turnover clean-up is an important way to keep your property in great shape. While you cannot control every guest, it is possible to keep them from damaging your property and spoiling the appearance of your home. Before your guests arrive, make sure to ask them about the arrival time and if they are planning to arrive late, ask them to leave the home before then. Providing this information will help you in the event of a break-in.