outdoor pool maintenance - it's never going to be perfect mid week

[Danny627]

My pool guy comes once a week on Monday. Guests that comes in later in the week is going to notice leaves and debris in the pool since it's outdoor and it's natural that mother nature is going to do its thing. I have nets and scrubs for them should they need but I'm already getting complaints of "less than pefect" pool although the water is crystal clear aside from the dust that eventually sink to the deep end. 

What would you suggest? I can probably up my cleaning service to 2x a week and double my cleaning cost. It's not much but being an airbnb we can't have an onsite pool boy everyday. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Danny627 I suspect guests would be happy if the pool was spotless at the beginning of their stay. I suspect however that changing the cleaning day to match new guests would be difficult.

[Lorna170]

@Danny627  When do most of your guests arrive?  On Friday?  Do you rent by the week with Saturday arrivals?  I would recommend choosing a day that is the most common arrival day -- hopefully your pool guy can accommodate the change.

[Danny627]

@Lorna170  There isn't any pattern when my guests arrive. My pool guy is pretty flexible, I let him know about the dirty pool and he came over the following day and took care of it. He didn't even ask for more money but I'm going to pay him a little extra for the extra trip.  Not all of my guests use the pool, so for now, I'm going to take it case by case.

[Inna22 · Accepted solution]

@Danny627 I suggest resetting expectations and see if that improves experience. Set a scheduled message to be sent a few days prior to guest's arrival with something like: XXX, I am excited to host your family. Please read the following automated message about my pool. The pool gets cleaned once a week on Mondays. If your stay falls on a Monday, please expect him around 11. He will not enter the house. The service will take about 30 minutes. (Obviously I am making the times up). If you arrival is later in the week, you may see some leaves however I can assure you that the water will be clear. Please get in touch with me if something is not to your satisfaction. If you would like daily pool cleaning, it is available for a fee of X.

Put the same blurb in your house rules and your house book (I assume you have one). See what kind of responses you get and if feedback improves. Setting expectations might be all you need to do.

[Jacob1012]

Maintaining a pool for Airbnb guests can be challenging, especially since they expect pristine conditions. Here are some suggestions to strike a balance between cost and guest satisfaction:

1. Invest in an Automatic Pool Cleaner
   A robotic pool cleaner can work wonders by keeping your pool clean throughout the week. It helps remove dust, debris, and leaves from the pool bottom and surfaces, reducing the workload for your weekly pool service.

2. Skimmer Baskets and Surface Nets
   Ensure the pool skimmer basket is cleared daily (if possible) to catch floating debris before it sinks. Provide a lightweight pool net for guests to scoop leaves easily.

3. Midweek Touch-Up
   If doubling the service isn’t feasible, consider a midweek touch-up service (e.g., vacuuming, leaf removal). This could be less expensive than a full cleaning service.

4. Guest-Friendly Cleaning Tools
   Place easy-to-use cleaning tools like long-handled nets and scrubs nearby with clear instructions. Guests might be more inclined to pitch in if they know how to use them. You could also encourage them to use the provided tools for quick cleanups without feeling obligated.

5. Preventive Landscaping
   Consider trimming or repositioning trees and plants near the pool to minimize leaves and debris falling into the water. Adding a pool cover when not in use is another great option.

6. Proactive Messaging
   Communicate with your guests about the outdoor environment. A note in your Airbnb listing or welcome message like:
   "Our pool is outdoors and surrounded by nature, so some leaves or dust may settle between weekly professional cleanings. We've provided a net and cleaning tools for any quick touch-ups you may need to enjoy the pool at its best."

7. Pool Enhancements
   Install a pool skimmer or automatic suction system to help maintain cleanliness without constant manual effort.

Implementing a mix of these solutions can keep your pool in better shape throughout the week while managing costs effectively. Let me know if you'd like more advice!

[Emilie]

Hi @Jacob1012,

Thank you for sharing those tips! I'll tag in @Danny627 here for you, so they get a notification of your message and can hopefully come back to read your suggestions.

In the meantime, as this post is from 2023, if you want to share any more advice or ask anything to other hosts, I'd suggest starting a new conversation so your message is more visible - 👉 start a new conversation

Have a lovely day. 🙂

Emilie