What to include in a review when guests leave used condoms under bed or cut nails in room?

[Thomas-and-Damian0]

This is now the third time that we found a used condom under the bed in our guest room. Part of me takes it as a thumbs up as our guests obviously get very comfortable in our home which is great. But the surprise of a little present/used condom when cleaning is just ...... well, I leave it up to your imagination. This and cut nails on the carpet gives me headaches when writing reviews. Should I include it in very nice language or just like the nails sweep it under the carpet??

[Kimberly54]

Hi @Thomas-and-Damian0, I'd do the big blow it off and sweep it under.  You are charging for the space and it is your job to clean it up.  To the degree that you develop a respecting relationship, sharing your home... that's also up to you.

As for cut nails... you're talking finger/toenails, right?  Seriously?  Those things can just spring-board jump! 

Add on a cleaning deposit if this kind of thing really bugs you.

Best,

[Thomas-and-Damian0]

Hi Kimberley, thanks for your advise. I thought that sweeping the whole thing under the carpet is probably the best approach even though it demonstrates that guests treat your home just like any motel 69. On the other hand it also demonstrates that reviews are nothing but a useless message other hosts may use as a deciding factor when hosting the same guests in the future.

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

Personally, I'd be more worried by permanent damage like bleached carpet or chewed headboard. So I wouldn't mention it.  I don't think it would even warrant any flowery language. People do live like pigs unfortunately and thats the sort of thing they do.

I wouldn't sweep it all under the carpet though, by the sounds of things it could soon get a bit crowded under there!

[Lisa1831]

@Thomas-and-Damian0 

I agree with @Ian-And-Anne-Marie0 @Kimberly54 

Just let it go because mentioning it will make you look bad. Guest will wonder what personal details you will write about them.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Thomas-and-Damian0 

If you don't have one, place a small waste basket next to the bed 🙂

We actually changed the mattress & bed frame in the guest bedroom earlier this year because Henry HATED having to clean *under* the bed.

Also, you will have to get used to the fact that some people are just total slobs. As long as there isn't any permanent damage, it's frustrating but it does come with the territory. Make sure you are charging enough on average to cover for the occasional slob. 

What you found was definitely not nice.... but I don't think it's worth mentioning in the review in detail - I guess you could say something like " Guests left rubbish on floors instead of disposing of them properly in wasted bins." if you absolutely wanted to say something and rate guest cleanliness 3 stars or less. 

[Kimberly54]

@Jessica-and-Henry0and @Thomas-and-Damian0 --the COOLEST thing... dang it, I wish I could remember who told me about this: 

https://www.neatorobotics.com/robot-vacuums/products/ 

I named mine, "Poppins" (Yes, after Mary Poppins.)

You do have to pick up your smaller chairs to get under tables (think restaurant after-hours)... pick up any nick-knacks on the floor... and watching it for a couple/few times is helpful until the robot maps your house.  (OK, I know I sound like a complete nerd right now, but watching this is amazing entertainment!)  And she goes over each room THREE TIMES.  Not kidding.  Once the robot has mapped the place, you don't have to be there... so they say.  Not sure I'd leave her completely alone.  She gets a little confused in two places. ?????  I am NOT complaining.

Poppins cleans under the bed, (watch out for loose carpets), and Poppins can get into corners, around legs of large furniture, and crannies like I could NEVER unless I was on my hands and knees with an old toothbrush.  SHE TOTALLY ROCKS.  Poppins is like a DREAM.  Need to brush out the filter and change the brushes, but hey. 

Except for some throw rugs/bathroom rugs, all of my house is stone or wood, so easy-peasy.  No experience with carpet, but the robots are supposed to be good for that as well.

ANNNNND, if she gets low on battery, Poppins finds her OWN way back to her charging station... gets juiced-up, and then goes right back to where she left off.  I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT KIDDING.  This is mind-blowing.

My bed design is too low for her to get under so that's up to my crew, but for the rest of the house/under the guest bed---DONE. DONE. SOOOooooOooo done.  I love her!

Condoms... woops... No.  Gloves on/paper towel/whatever.  This is DIY. 

Have more fun/fuss less!

Best  *)

[Kelly149]

@Thomas-and-Damian0 ok fine, don't call them dirty or selfish or more cleaning than the usual guest, but at least don't glow about how wonderful they are...

I mean really, they were self-aware enough to get the condom on, use it and get it off, but at that point they loose all reason and think "eh, on to the floor for you". That is not a wonderful guest. Don't describe why but they certainly deserve to loose a star or two or four for either of these behaviors both in the cleanliness category and in House Rules, bc surely you haven't specified that guests should be tossing random bodily discharges on the floor!

and follow @Jessica-and-Henry0 very good advice to add a few more small trash bins to your space!

[Suzanne302]

@Thomas-and-Damian0 

I guess I'm in the minority but I think leaving a used condom under the bed is disgusting and disrespectful. Of all the things that could be left under the bed, or all the types of trash that could have been thrown on the floor this is the worst. (I suppose it would tie for worst with a bloody tampon) It's not like you "forget" you tossed a used condom on the floor. 

I wouldn't mention condom specifically in the review, but I would ding the heck out them on cleanliness stars (probably down to 3) and definitely mention in the review that "trash" was discarded on the floor instead of in the trashcan.

[Michelle-And-Michael0]

@Thomas-and-Damian0 I totally agree with Suzanne and @Brett3 on this one.....

This shows obvious disrespect to you and your property/home!! 

Although, I wouldn't share embarrassing details in my review. I would score them down and give them a thumbs down, as I wouldn't want them back again, and wouldn't wish them on others either. 

[Gordon0]

In the throes of passion, well, we forget things...

I don't much like cleaning crappy (npi) loos, but it's the business we're in. 
I'd let it go. 

[Thomas-and-Damian0]

..... well, we forget things??.....

[Lucilla14]

@Thomas-and-Damian0  If I were you I would probably not mention it in the review but I would give them less than 5 stars for cleansiness so they would have at least a minor consequence for their behaviour... It's not worth it to leave it in the public review and possibly have to face a discussion with your previous guests that you are likely not gonna see again. 

It's not that big of a deal but it is indeed disrespectful, at least in my opinion. there are wasted bins, is it so difficult to throw it in them instead of on the floor?

[Brett3]

Hey @Thomas-and-Damian0 ,

I think leaving used condoms on the floor is unhygenic and disresprctful. I have mentioned in reviews that guests left 'used personal products' on the floor, and let them know in the private comments that this practise is unhygenic. My thought is that if people have the self awareness and foresight to use a condom, they certinly know they should throw it away after use.

[Robin4]

@Thomas-and-Damian0  @Brett3  @Gordon0  @Suzanne302 

Look, I have had condoms, used childrens nappies, numerous 'yuck' tissues...even the odd 'jock' or two left under the bed! How do you cope with it? You just ignore it, clean it up and move on to the next guest!

Folks, we are in the hospitality industry, we host strangers, we have to expect that all sorts of behaviour is going to take place in the space that these guests have 'paid' to be in!

I don't get precious about what I find, as long as no damage has been done...... I am ahead, I have their hosting payment in the bank and I am happy!........

When Ade got diagnosed with MS we turned our lives around! All through our lives we are slaves to our existence....."Yeah I will get around to that when I have the house paid off, the kids through school, that new car in the garage paid for" .....but all of a sudden a catastrophy come along and you realise that, things come and go....... but memories are forever, and that is when you change your life around!

We had that moment, we turned our lives around. Sure I find the odd condom, the odd tissue, the odd nappy....don't care, dispose of it and get on with hosting!

My hosting brings me in about $30,000 per year....do you think I am going to turn my back on that because of the odd condom or kids nappy or a trimmed nail here or there!

No way Jose!

Thomas.....or Damian, don't mention the C word in the review...in fact don't even mention it in the personal feedback! Don't embarrass someone who obviously enjoyed your hospitality! Be diplomatic here mate!

Cheers.......Rob