Cleaning short-term vacation rentals takes more than basic tidying. It requires careful planning, the right products, and a good understanding of cleaning methods. Sean Kemper, owner of ETI Solutions, shares his expert advice to help property managers keep rentals clean and inviting. This FAQ covers important tips on eco-friendly products, deep-cleaning methods, and caring for linens, kitchens, and bathrooms. With years of experience, Sean gives practical advice for property managers who want to raise their cleaning standards and give guests a spotless stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleaning Team

How do you create standards for your cleaning team?

• Become educated about the chemistry at play when you or your team cleans your home.
• Ensure that your team is well-trained in the appropriate use of cleaning products. This often includes professional development training for your team.
• Becoming a well-informed owner or property manager often leads to developing an informed preference for certain cleaning supplies you would prefer to use to clean your properties. Make sure that you communicate your preferences to your team and ensure that they are fully stocked with your preferred cleaning chemicals.
• Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals or VRHP offers very detailed standards and guidelines for cleaning and a tiered certification program.

Linens

How do you care for linens to limit the loss from stains?

Ensure that your vendors communicate. Consider hosting a meeting and invite your linens vendor to engage in a discussion with your laundry service or the vendor in charge of maintaining your laundry equipment so that you can ensure that your machines are properly calibrated to the textiles with which you stock your properties. These conversations are crucial for the health of your linens. This means ensuring your team understands the appropriate dilution of bleach and sour softener.

In other words, make sure that your Chemical Person talks to your Linens Person to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Can you wash black cotton makeup towels with white linens?

No. The dye from the makeup towels will likely bleed into the white linens with which they are washed.

How much bleach can be used on white linens? And can it be used on all materials (e.g., microfiber vs. cotton/poly blends)?

• 12 to 13% bleach is the upper limit of what is recommended for washing linens.
• Consider using a bleach alternative when laundering microfibers.
• It may be advisable to use a little more bleach while washing towels because of their absorbency.
• On the more technical side of things, it’s also important that your laundry machines or the facilities with which you contract are properly calibrated and that the chemicals used to launder your linens are properly titrated.

What types of linens should you refrain from washing with bleach?

Microfiber. Laundering microfiber fabrics requires a slightly more nuanced approach. People often use microfiber cloths to clean various surfaces, meaning that these cloths absorb many types of chemicals. For that reason, it is advisable to use minimal detergent to clean microfiber cloths. Also, it is important to refrain from using fabric or sour softener because it is an acid, which can negate the charge of microfiber. This holds for microfiber sheets; fabric softener can diminish your sheets’ ability to repel stains.

Flooring

How do you combat persistent dirty footprints on a hard surface floor?

• Understand the chemistry! People need to understand the chemicals they use to clean their properties. That means reading the instructions on the proper use of your cleaning chemicals. This often entails understanding the proper dilution ratios for your intended cleaning goals. Essentially, it often comes down to ensuring you’re not using too much soap unintentionally.
• The higher the PH level of the cleaning chemical often indicates a higher surfactant concentration. In other words, there is more sticky residue on your floor, attracting more dirt and grime than you’re taking off by mopping. Over time, the build-up in residue can damage the aesthetics of your floors.
• Frequently, the best solution to a dirty floor is plain old hot water. Try a neutral or bacteria-based product if that doesn’t do the trick.

Deep Cleans

How often should you be doing deep cleans?

Once a year, depending on your market. Engaging a professional cleaning service to perform a deep clean after a particularly busy season is also advisable.

Cleaning Supplies

Can you use organic or eco-friendly cleaning supplies and still get the same results from chemicals?

• According to industry experts, about 95% of the time, organic or eco-friendly cleaning products are just as effective as their harsher counterparts. However, there are occasions such as cookware with baked-on grease, grills ladened with heavy-duty carbon build-up, or carpets with unique stains in which a stronger chemical may be more appropriate than an eco-friendly product. However, for the most part organic or eco-friendly cleaning supplies should be able to handle your day-to-day cleaning requirements.

What cleaning supplies should you leave out for your guests?

Providing your guests with a mild, neutral, all-purpose surface cleaner is advisable. Remember that the product you leave for your guests must be safe and effective.

What cleaning supplies should you have in your locked cleaning closet?

The Drop-N-Go product line was designed specifically to cater to the unique requirements of the short-term vacation rental industry. The system helps cut down on wasted space and takes out some of the guesswork; there are three color-coordinated cleaning solutions, corresponding to their different purposes. It’s also recommended to have cleaning brushes, mops, microfiber cloths, and a vacuum cleaner. Drop-N-Go also offers a polishing cleanser for glass or ceramic surfaces.