The use of the lists of tasks to be performed is of great help not only for hosting, but also for many activities of daily life, especially if we have a crazy hectic life.
The lists are recommended for those with little organizational abilities, but they are also helpful to those with managerial qualities. Take notes as soon as the brain reminds you of something to do: there’s not guarantee that the brain will repeat it again because it will be busy in different thoughts.
A checklist will facilitate a quick check of things to do and will give you the impression to have control of the house, making you very confident.
Make yourself strict, odious, rude. A meticulous mother-in-law who peeks behind the curtains the care and maintenance of the house by the young daughter-in-law, and all the worst that comes to mind.
Act as an investigator of the scientific police who sees everything and says nothing, but knows how to act accordingly. White gloves and Luminol. A crumb on the sofa. A hair on the sink. A dangerous spider web.
My checklist provided control of the bedside tables and the usability of the bathroom. Remote controls. All appliances. The operation of the stove and the refrigerator. Heating / cooling. Hot water. Fire extinguisher. Detergents. Internet connection. House lights.
The cups of coffee scattered everywhere and the souvenirs left by the dirty guests. Scraps of food in the fridge. Empty the trash. Junk bags.
An inspection tour will not be enough. Something always eludes you, but you will only find out after the arrival of the guests. Something that the previous guest has failed to tell you and has escaped you at check-out. Something that will turn you into a rag soaked in poison. Especially if it's eight o'clock on a Friday night. The leaking heating boiler. The broken sliding rail of the shower. The drain clogged by the long-haired guest. The handle of a locked door.
Becoming acquainted with the list, you will know immediately what is wrong, what should be arranged quickly before the arrival of new guests (for example a quick refresh of a kitchen wall used as a blackboard by a tender baby (Grrrr !!!).
Finally supply of toilet paper. Fresh linens and towels. No dried kitchen sponges. Water the plants. Booklet of use of the house (the general electrical panel is located ... .., the gas shut-off valve is located ............ .., the bulbs and the spare batteries are ......... .., useful numbers: in case of electric / water / gas faults you can contact: ............... ..; in case of problems with the alarm system, contact ................; in case of loss of the keys, contact ...............).
If you have a little time between a guest and another, this is a good opportunity to do some decluttering, to get rid of unecessary things.
The houses rented to tourists often become the collection point for old furniture, junk, shoddy knick-knacks migrated from the main building, as if those old, sad junk in a house designed to accommodate tourists become beautiful.
"Can I throw away this thing?" No, let's bring it to the AIRBNB attic!"
What is ugly is ugly everywhere and must be eliminated, not unnecessarily dragged to another place. Keep only what will leave a good memory of you.
Lighten up your home of the superfluous things accumulated over years of continuous and wild hosting.
A pan that was once non-stick. A pillow yellowed by time. Delete them forever from your rooms and from your heart. Choose the luxury of the little and the empty.
Maybe it's a rainy Sunday and you do not know what to do. Act alone, possibly in a "protected" atmosphere, without cell phones, messages or anything else that might disturb you. Avoid the music too. In fact, this operation of detachment from things should be savored without external interference.
Throwing away without regrets. Far from the eyes, far from the heart. No second thoughts. No last minute repechage.
And now, prepare yourself a long drink and look around you. Look at your house now.
