Cleanliness Ratings has anyone on here with an old house consistently got 5 stars for cleanliness?

[Rebecca905]

I have been hosting for a while and am feeling quite down - I put massive efforts into cleaning my space working alongside a cleaner who works solildy for 6 hours. For the week leading up to the booking I deep clean everything- pull everything out of kitcehn cupboards and clean cupboards and drawers and every single item. My last cleanliness rating was 3! I make it clear in my lisitng my house is 100 years old- the floors are 150 year old beautiful pine but have scars and marks. I don't know how much clearer I can make it and has anyone on here with an old house consistenly got 5 stars for cleanliness and how?! My furntiure is antique..I feel like giving up at this point but really need the income.

[Ana1136]

@Rebecca905 I had an older apartment before and no matter how much I cleaned it never looked sparkling clean and I knew unless I made some improvements it never would. I only hosted about 10-13 people there and only one gave me 4* but I made sure to explain to every guest that things are older but each surface is cleaned thoroughly. Maybe try to incorporate some bright elements, remove everything you don't need, clutter seems to look messy and you will have to spend more time cleaning. You can start improving with the smaller stuff if you feel you can invest in the home. We set aside a small percentage from each booking for home improvements and those money came quite handy in some situations. 

[Rebecca905]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.! I should have mentioned the house has been totally renovated every room - fully painted. New bathroom. New kitchen. .But high ceilings with decorative cornices. Chandeliers. Etc. And the cleaners list is ridiculous- windows inside and out. Oven. Skirting boards. Clean floors. Wipe down walls. Etc. That's why I'm depressed as can't think what else to do....

[Nina75]

Ana, I'm from Bulgaria... Don't Kill yourself. Do the best that you can.

[Nina75]

No... I have several older homes, and I never have been a super host its just the age of the house. Dont knock yourself out.

[Rebecca905]

Thank you!!!! This makes me feel better...

[Jillian38 · Accepted solution]

@Rebecca905 I have a very old house (built in c1855 with a few additions made in c1870). It is furnished with antique furniture.  I am a specialist in cultural identity, humanity centred design, and spatial design. When I listed the house on airbnb I decided that I would apply my professional learnings and observations to the house. I will share some thoughts with you which may be helpful.

1. The authenticity of the house is your 'x factor'.

2. There is a difference between 'real world' experiences and 'online' experiences. It definitely sounds as though yours is 'real world'.

3. Work out what features or characteristics make the real, authentic experience of the house unique. Then think about the guests who would most likely search for, and want to experience, the house. 

4. With reference to point 3, above, the challenge is to connect the right guests with the home you offer. The connector is the written description and the photographs. Ask: Do the photographs of the house authentically capture and reflect some of its unique characteristics? Are the photographs adequately communicating the authenticity of the house in a meaningful way that will attract guests who will actively search for your kind of home? This match is very important to achieving guest ratings.

5. If needed, a spike of colour can create beauty. Or, textures such as a bunch of green camelia branches in a vase. Or dried blue gum leaves. Bringing nature indoors adds humanity, empathy and beauty.

6. Cups may be the old gracious china cup, saucer and plate. It's a good idea to place some white cups or mugs alongside so that guests have an option. Most will go for the white due to social norms in cafes.

7. Crisp, white bed linen and white towels, if possible, show guests it's sparkling clean.

8. Declutter the interior if necessary, ensuring that everything in the home contributes to the personal experience you offer each individual guest.

I agree one hundred percent with the points made by Anna. Unfortunately, there will always be people who want to go around looking for something they can say is wrong, but you can take action to minimse those people. Not everyone is exposed to the cultural beauty of old houses, but by making some small incremental changes you can attract more guests who will love it. 

[Rebecca905]

Wow thank you! I will definitely try this - I have 4000 books so maybe people see this as clutter and mess. So it's connecting to people who value them as much as me! I have nature and gardens and books. This has been really really useful. Thank you

[Jillian38]

The books are 'knowledge-intensive', and therefore can richly contribute to your guest's immersive experience.  Consider sorting the 4,000 books into subject matter and then curate your wall storage so that the book clusters form a 3D composition of textural bricks. Then select three of the most visually delicious books from each of the nature, gardens + 1 other clusters. Ideally, select 3 books from each of 3 book clusters. Those book clusters can be arranged in 3 piles or as 3 plinths on low tables or a separate side shelf.  Your guest can then self-select from the three piles those books that repesent his or her preferred subject matter. By bringing out these three cluster groups into more open space (using your 4,000 books as backdrop) you are creating what is called the 4D (the fourth dimension) or experiential dimension.  This is what your guest experience is about - where they are empowered to self-select, have their own personalised, immersive experience from the very uniqueness of your home. It is an experience that cannot be replicated. It engages tactile and visual experience ... and shifts the focus from the very issue you raised in your initial post.  Add a dried rose stem from the garden or a small laurel branch. This 'old knowledge' is what the old houses are about. I hope this helps. Jillian

[Nina75]

I have 15 Books...

[Susan151]

@Rebecca905 I have been able to have 5-star cleanliness ratings [for every review but one, that nasty man] and have a 1903 home. It is a wildly scruffy home with worn floors, etc. However, the three AirBNB rooms were redone in the past decade and feel modern [relatively] and fresh. I think this helps. Well that and scrubbing those rooms carefully between all guest groups.

[Rebecca905]

 Thank you! At least I know it's possible..somehow!?