Hi @Jann3
We have it written in our house rules that all dishes must be run through the dishwasher including the plastic cutting boards. We don't mind if they leave the machine running when they check out.
I only do checks on 3 properties after the housekeeping is completed. This takes about 30 - 40 minutes each including fixing any little mistakes. In a year, I would say maybe 2 sets of guests per property do not adhere to the request to use the machine. The pots have glass lids so I hold them up to the sunlight and I have found this to be a good indicator of how the rest of the dishes have been left. Biggest pain is the teapot - definitely buy one that you can get your hand in deep enough to scrub out any discolouration.
I am a bit mindful of wasting energy resources on repeat cleaning that may not be necessary. Where would you draw the line?
If you leave extra towels in the cupboard and they appear undisturbed do you take them all out and wash them again? I fold them and place them in a particular way that it would be very fastidious for the guest to replicate if they used the towel and put it back. Never had this happen so we do not wash the towels that are not disturbed. They are just rotated.
We only provide extra blankets on request otherwise how could you be sure the guest did not just put it back how they found it? If you really wanted blankets there, maybe they could be tied wih raffia ribbon with a note asking that they be left on the bed if used? No one will go to the trouble of trying to get it back to how it was.
We order our linen from a local hire company and from time to time there may be a tiny hole. If these can be placed at the foot of the bed where it cannot be noticed, I have instructed the housekeepers to do so. We can get our money back for these sheets - but what a waste of water and energy and labour. I can't justify it in my own mind for something the guest would not notice.
The best thing that we have bought is a steam washing machine. You can put blankets that have only had a light use on a refresh cycle for 20 minutes of steam clean and this meets the standard for killing any and all unwanted micro "beings". I love that this saves so much water and energy.
Ultimately, you have to do what will leave you feeling comfortable with how you have presented your studio. No sense compromising and not being at peace with it, but please consider the environment too when making the decision.
Lisa