Cleaning reviews

[Donna271]

We consistently have guests who rave about our house, and most leave 5 stars for everything except cleaning. Cleaning is 4 stars. HOWEVER… NONE of those guests mention anything during or after rental. I think if a guest leaves a less than 5 stars that there should be a drop down option for…specifics?  I WANT to know!! I think perhaps some dont like that we ask guests to strip beds and put in laundry bag (this saves cleaner time and helps guests be able to come in earlier). However if my cleaner (excellent work..i check) is missing something I WANT to know!  We leave a spotless home, even folding dish towels etc with new dish soap , bath soaps etc in orig wrapper. Sink is shiny, what dont they like? 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Donna271 our listings are almost 200 years old. There are dings here and there and the decor could kindly be called shabby chic. I think this gets us the odd 4 star cleanliness rating. Which means 'very clean' by the way.

[Donna271]

I think age does have an effect and you may be right. Our beach cottage is 120 years old. The furnishings are new but there really is a difference between brand new smooth trim and 120 yr old trim with 40 coats of paint. The exterior has original historic siding. Been painted dozens of times but nicks and dings are there!  Maybe those that put a 4 are condo dwellers or new home that are used to new siding etc. Thank you for reminding me that a 4 is still “very clean”!! I do wish air bnb would provide drop down to check off what they didnt like tho. Would be fair

[Helen744]

@Donna271 It could be anything Donna but something I consistently found during my hosting years was that 'smell ' of clean. All sheets were laundered in a hypoallergenic laundry liquid which consistently gave that 'smell of clean.Also making sure all of the bathroom is seriously clean all over with toilet paper prepped as the last. Kitchens especially fridges , stoves and counter tops and floors need to be pristine and even though a property may be two hundred years old Mike -and- Jane  it can still be super clean . Toasters need to be 'de crumbed' etcetera . Kettles need to not have standing water . Cupboards need to have all closed packaging and tea and coffee stations need to be super prepped. I think that what may be missing Donna is you. If you want that higher mark then turn up in that final prep hour before a guest arrives and check . All guests 'shed ' for want of a better word but in this day and age they will be mortified if they find a stray hair anywhere, or for that matter a 'smell'.I think the inside of cupboards is something often neglected , such as broom cupboards ,undersink cupboards and pot cupboards... H

[Helen744]

donna 'leaving a spotless home ' is not all there is to cleaning.Do you also leave 'enough ' products for the guest to also leave a spotless home.Cleaners often do not realise that guests need the products left in the house so they too can clean and if they cannot find them then they will mark the house down for cleanliness. This means plenty of dishwashing tabs or liquid , sponges , brooms , dust pans , inside bins,outside bins disinfectant , toilet brush , paper towels , garbage bags , waste paper bins , boxes for recyclables clearly marked , plenty of towels and for goodness sake a laundry basket not a bag . Spare tea towels in the kitchen drawers , paper bags etcetera. Someone once told me that everyone likes a different sponge , splash out . Keep the guests cleaning supplies separate to the cleaners.The guest is who your cleaning should be concentrating on , check all bedside tables , down the side of the couches and chairs , its amazing what you find.Maybe the issue is outside .I had a child leave an unpeeled banana under a bed and by the time the new guest found it had gone brown and shrivelled up . It happens to everyone dont worry to much... H

[Donna271]

Each guest gets a brand new bottle of dish soap, new dishrag. More supplies in cabinet they use. Cleaner supplies are not mixed with guest supplies. Do you request guests strip bed?

[Donna271]

We do all that but perhaps the laundry basket is a good idea as we currently leave bags. Guests can just put sheets towels in them. And can leave in each bedroom for guests.  We send our laundry out so we use bags but cleaner can just put in bags. Thats a good idea. New white spotless baskets may be our answer! Thks

[Donna271]

I do check between guests. I leave new toilet paper on roll  in wrapper so they know its new and paper towels in wrapper.  More of each in accessible cabinet. I wash sheets in bleach so “smell clean”. Do you request guests strip beds before leaving? Every towel folded pristine on beds. 

[Gwen386]

I do not. I don’t ask my guest to do anything except put trash in provided trash bags and place in outside garbage can. 

[Gwen386]

Sometimes hired help don’t clean nearly as well as we do.

In addition to agreeing to everything else that has been said, I also dust baseboards, fan blades, lamp shades and bulbs. I also wash ceiling lights. You would be amazed how a flying insect can get inside and die. I use my DustBuster inside all drawers and cupboards. I purchase a new shower liner for each guest (only cost about $5). All bath towels/washcloths and bath mats are plush. Bare threads look dirty even if they aren’t. White sheets like a hotel. I use windex on mirrors, windows, french doors.

To tell you the truth, my rental is 100 times cleaner than my house because it’s no way in hell I could keep my home this spotless. 

But it has paid off with 5* reviews. 

[Donna271]

Thanks! I do all that also. I even wash white sheets with bleach so they “smell clean”!  I dont do ceiling bulbs between guests but they are clean. Cleaner than my own house also 🙂 

[Karen114 · Accepted solution]

@Donna271  I think you answered your own question.  Stop having them strip the beds and I bet your cleaning will be a 5 stars. 

It's actually better/ makes more sense to leave the sheets in place as it is easier for housekeeping to see/treat any stains.  It's a lot more difficult to find stains when they are heaped into a ball. 

To save time I ask my guests to start a load of towels on the way out the door.  NOT WASH DRY AND FOLD THEM,  it takes two seconds to toss them in the machine and start the machine.  I also note that it's not obligatory however helpful to get a jump on the linens.  Most do it, some don't, no biggie. 

[Bronwyn100]

If I was staying I would be offended to be asked to strip the beds when I have paid a cleaning fee. Sounds like you might not be leaving enough time between guest turn around? 

[Donna271]

Thank you but we stay in other air bnb and other rentals and are asked to strip the beds. We leave plenty of time but DO allow new people to come in earlier than they are supposed to by 4 hrs in most cases. I think what I will do is state something to the effect that this helps cut down cleaning time to allow us guests to come in as early as possible. Its true Thanks!