Holiday cottages are an excellent way for individuals to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some peace. Cottages are believed to be cozy and particularly popular to rent out for Christmas and winter in general.
For both visitors and hosts, cleanliness is one of the most important components of short-term rentals. A messy house may ruin a holiday before it even begins. It can harm the reputation of the host’s entire business.
Keeping your vacation rental clean to the highest standards goes hand in hand with satisfying your guests and providing a fantastic overall experience. So, how do you clean vacation homes? We’ve developed a list of the most important items you should never miss.
How do you clean vacation homes?
Holiday cottages require special attention because some date back to the nineteenth century or earlier. They can be delicate at times, especially if the roof is composed of dry straw.
While cleaning with the utmost care, it is also critical not to overlook anything your guests have touched. There is a distinction between a holiday cottage that seems pleasant and one that is simply dirty and unclean. Here is a room-by-room breakdown of the holiday villa cleaning checklist:
1. The kitchen
Many guests nowadays prefer to stay in vacation homes rather than hotels since they have access to a kitchen. Some visitors enjoy cooking and prefer to prepare their meals rather than eat out. Nothing like a home-cooked winter meal, such as a classic Sunday roast, in a vacation cottage.
Don’t forget to leave anything out of the kitchen to improve the guest experience:
- Clean the insides of the refrigerator, microwave, and oven.
- Coffee machines, toasters, and kettles are examples of Polish kitchen appliances.
- Clean all of the plates and utensils.
- Pots and pans should be matched with their lids.
- Clean tea towels should be provided.
- Remove any food.
- Remove the bins
2. Dining area
Make sure your visitors’ emphasis is on enjoying their well-prepared food as they assemble their friends and family around the table:
- Wipe down the dining room chairs and table.
- Cotton napkins should be washed.
- Centerpieces that are spotless
- Clean the floor, especially the area beneath the table and chairs.
- Window cleaning
3. The living room
The living room is a community place where visitors can sit back, relax and watch television or simply read a book, similar to why people opt to rent.
Make sure your guests are at ease:
- Clear up the ash and offer enough coal or wood for the fireplace.
- Substitute newspapers or magazines
- Wipe off all shelves, including the mantelpiece.
- Get rid of any spider webs.
- Examine the sofa and pillows for any stains.
- Vacuum the carpet and any rugs.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the bookshelves.
- Clean the TV remote control.
- Examine the sofa for filth and dust.
4. bedrooms
“The room where your guests sleep after a hard day on vacation is arguably the most significant of all”, explained industry experts, Lodgable. A good night’s sleep is essential for a comfortable holiday, as is a clean bed (with mattress, pillows, and cushions):
- Dust the top of the closet and the curtain rods.
- Look for any lost or discarded items between the mattress and the headboard.
- Look under the bed for any items that were left behind.
- Bedsheets and blankets should be washed.
- Allow the duvet to air out.
- Clean the closet shelves and drawers.
5. Toilets
If your cottage provides towels for guests, make sure they’re in good shape. Shower curtains and bath mats are examples of bathroom essentials.
Because of the wet environment, mold can quickly grow in bathrooms. Inspect all tiles or water-prone locations for problems regularly, and re-seal them with silicone as needed:
- The shower, toilet, sink, and mirror should all be cleaned.
- Replace free toiletry products like soap and shower gel.
- Clean the floor.
- Remove the shower curtain and the bathroom mat.
- Diffusers and candles should be replaced.
- Make sure the drains aren’t clogged.
6. Gardening and exterior
The exterior of your home is the first thing guests will see, so you want to make a great first impression and set the tone for the remainder of the house:
- Clean up any leaves around the entryway.
- Drain and gutter cleaning
- Remove the cigarette buds and empty the ashtray.
- Clean any outdoor furniture.
- Remove any bird droppings.
- Remove burnt-on food and drippings from the grill.
- Remove weeds and rubbish from the garden.
7. Cottages that welcome pets
If you have a pet-friendly cottage, take care to clean up after your pet:
- Clean the pet bed using a vacuum.
- Clean the floor after a dog has gotten their muddy paws on it.
- Clear the food and drink bowls.
- Clean the litter box
- Remove any pet fur.
- Get rid of any carpet stains.
What should you remember?
Owners frequently overlook several areas of the house and fail to clean them. When cleaning, make sure to prioritize and have a plan in place. Although we don’t like to admit it, cleaners might sometimes cut corners, so it’s critical to double-check everything.
Even if your vacation cottage isn’t rented out all year, it’s still vital to take care of it and clean it while it’s vacant, especially if it’s prone to spider webs. Cover furniture with sheets or specific furniture covers while not in use to eliminate extra dust.
