In this post, I will share some Airbnb host cleaning tips for 2020. One of the biggest tips for Airbnb Hosts has always been to clean clean clean. Having an unclean space is the fastest way to get a negative review from guests. This is particularly true now that we are in the middle of a pandemic.
Airbnb has launched a ‘Committed To Clean’ banner. We’ll take a look at how you can get your committed to clean banner. Once committed to clean, there are a few things you can do to prepare for a new cleaning routine. Should a new cleaning routine not be for you however, there is always the option to use a third party Airbnb cleaning service.
There are also certain settings that can be updated on your listing that will help with meeting the new cleaning requirements. Finally, we’ll look at some ideas on what to add to your Airbnb essentials list to make your guests feel more comfortable.
Get Committed To Clean
The first thing I did for my Cosy Garden Cottage listing was to make sure I have my ‘Committed To Clean’ banner up on my listing. According to Airbnb, more than a million hosts had committed to the enhanced cleaning protocol by the end of August 2020. The stats show that the hosts who are committed to clean get more bookings on average.
This means that guests are really looking for a place they know has gone the extra mile to clean and sanitise during the pandemic.
So how does one get committed to clean? Download the Airbnb cleaning handbook for your region. The handbook explains the five-step approach Airbnb recommends for cleaning and sanitising against the virus. These steps are:
- Prepare
- Clean
- Sanitize
- Check
- Reset
Once you have familiarized yourself with the cleaning handbook you will then be able to take a test to get your committed to clean banner.
Airbnb host cleaning tips during COVID-19
Once you have committed to clean there are a few Airbnb host cleaning tips that will help you to prepare for a new cleaning routine.
Firstly, stock up on the supplies that you will need to do your cleaning to keep yourself and your guests virus free. These items will include disposable masks, gloves and aprons. Your cleaning materials will need to include a good sanitizer with 70% alcohol or more to perform the sanitation step. Update your Airbnb supplies checklist with the new cleaning supplies you will need.
Secondly, create a cleaning checklist. The Airbnb cleaning checklist provided in the cleaning handbook is a very comprehensive list. Use the handbook list to customise your own list that will suit your space, adding or removing items as the case may be.
And finally, review the items that you have in your space for your guests to use. Remove the items that may be difficult to clean. For instance, if you provided magazines for your guests to read it may be time to remove them. Or, consider replacing the magazines with a new copy for each new guest. Another example would be toys for children. Remove the toys that will be difficult to sanitise. Board games or battery-operated toys that can’t be immersed in water would be difficult to sanitise and should be removed.
Third-party Airbnb host cleaning services
After getting to know the cleaning handbook you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with the additional cleaning tasks that you need to do.
Not to worry. There are cleaning services for Airbnb available and they will be equipped to handle the additional cleaning tasks. Which means you can outsource your cleaning chores to a third party company.
Most importantly, the advantage of outsourcing your cleaning during COVID-19 is that you will have the assurance of a professional company doing your cleaning during the pandemic.
If you decide to outsource your cleaning it is advisable to have a meeting with your chosen cleaning company. Here are some points to discuss with them: Firstly, go through the Airbnb cleaning protocol with them. Are they willing to meet the standards in the protocol? Secondly, find out how flexible they are with their bookings. Do they work on the weekends? Lastly, ask for some reviews, preferably from other Airbnb hosts.
The meeting will help to get some comfort that the company you use is willing to go that extra mile. Don’t risk being let down and getting a negative review for an unclean listing.
Airbnb has partnered with cleaning companies to bring you this service. Look out for communication as to who your partners are in your region. In South Africa, the Airbnb cleaning partners are Sweep South and PropaClean.
Update your listing settings
There are listing settings that can be updated to help you meet the requirements in the enhanced cleaning protocol and keep you committed to clean. These settings can be found under your listing booking settings:
Add a booking buffer
To help keep yourself and your guests safe update your listing with a booking buffer. A booking buffer allows you to build in a couple of days either before or after each guest so that your calendar is automatically blocked for bookings. A booking buffer will reduce the virus survival rate, should it be lingering on any surfaces after your guests leave.
Update your check-in and check-out times
Change the check-out and check-in time settings. Change the settings to make the check-out a little earlier and the check-in time a little later. This will give the extra time to complete the five-step approach.
Update your check-out instructions
In your guest check-out instructions ask your guest to leave all the windows open on departure. Asking your guests to leave the windows open will mean maximum ventilation is achieved before you have to go in and clean.
Add a cleaning fee
There is no doubt that more will be spent on cleaning whether you outsource your cleaning or continue doing it yourself. Consider adding a cleaning fee to your listing, or increasing your existing fee, to recover the additional cleaning expense.
Adding to the essentials list
To ensure your guests know that you have made every effort to keep them safe during this time here are a few extra essentials to add:
Start by updating your guest welcome book with the ‘Committed to Clean’ template that Airbnb has provided in the handbook. With this, guests will know what steps have been taken to clean and sanitise. Add a ‘Committed to Clean’ sign on the wall next to your WiFi is another way to let guests know you are committed to clean.
Add a lockbox for self-check-in. According to Airbnb news, listings with a self-check-in option are being booked more often than those listing without this option.
Add a bottle of liquid sanitiser to the cleaning products that you leave for your guest. Guests will then be able to sanitise areas themselves should they wish to.
Lastly, add to your special touches for guests. To show that you want to keep your guests safe consider adding a complementary mask and hand sanitizer.
All these additions to your Airbnb essentials list will show that you have gone the extra mile to make your guests feel comfortable in these uncertain times.
To conclude…
I hope you found my Airbnb host cleaning tips for during the pandemic useful. Of all the tips the most important thing to remember is not to panic.
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