I have a returning guest that is asking me use only vinegar to clean the apartment.

[Dee--Denise-1]

 Here is the actual message:  I was wondering if B and I wanted to go up from Wednesday
to Saturday could we come up a Tuesday night? Or come in about 11ish on Wednesday? Also I have allergy issues and B and I are both chemically sensitive. Is it possible, now I'm not trying to be a Primadonna, but is there a way you could disinfect for us just using diluted vinegar? disinfectant Smells really do a number.

I'm sorry, I didn't know, but now understand that you have "Protocoled" cleaning chemicals that Airbnb have you mandatory committed to using as a member of their organization. And wouldn't/couldn't use substituted ones. So any other cleaning options won't be available. B had told me about how it bothered her when were last there but I didn't want to say anything to you. I figured we were there and it is as it is. I let her know what you said and she said that airing it out wouldn't work if the products were still used we are sensitive to. So unfortunately I can't reserve the time there I was hoping. 😞     Thanks

I am a nurse, our community COVID19 (+) numbers are declining, but I want to make sure that cleaning such as this request is acceptable. 

[Elaine701]

Yes, vinegar really stinks. Most guests will object. If this one objects, remind them that they requested it specifically, and therefore you cannot offer a refund. 

[Sarah977 · Accepted solution]

@Elaine701  Think you misread that. The guest was saying that commercial cleaning products stink, and is asking the host to use vinegar instead.

@Dee--Denise-1   I would tell this guest that you cannot change your cleaning regimen for her. Not because there is anything wrong with cleaning with vinegar (I don't know if it is effective against Covid, but all those cleaning directives are pretty much over the top anyway, as it seems that surface transfer of the virus has never been found to be the cause of infection), but because her request to arrive the night before, without thinking that would entail booking and paying for that night, or check in early, indicates that she is exactly what she says she doesn't want to come across as- an entitled prima donna who expects you to make exceptions for her and give her an extra night for free. 

[Elaine701]

@Sarah977 

Been there, done that. 

Vinegar definitely stinks far worse than commercial products, is less effective, and guests will smell it. 

Not going there again. 

[Sarah977]

@Elaine701  Oh yes, I hate both the smell and taste of vinegar. That extends to even the most expensive balsamic vinegar. I've gone to potlucks where the only thing I could eat was what I brought, because everything else was doused in balsamic vinegar. 🙂

I don't like heavy duty cleaning product smells, but I actually like the smell of my orange citrus Fabuloso. And the smell seems to dissipate quickly with the windows left open.

[Dee--Denise-1]

yes, I use it too

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Elaine701 @Sarah977  vinegar stinks only while it is wet, once the surface is dried there is no smell at all. We use it all the time in the bathroom and the kitchen because Zagreb has very "hard" water, full of minerals and it leaves white stains on surfaces.

[Huma0]

@Sarah977 @Elaine701 

I agree with @Branka-and-Silvia0 . I have a bathroom with gold plated fittings (sounds fancy but you might know by now that I am adept in finding stuff at bargain prices). Little did I know that our hard London water would mark it terribly and that it should NEVER be cleaned with regular household products, only distilled white wine vinegar (double checked with the manufacturer to be sure). 

So, that is what I/my cleaners do. It stinks like a fish and chip shop for a short time and then the smell totally disappears. I should add that you do not leave the vinegar on the gold fittings but wipe or rinse it off with clean water and dry with a soft, non abrasive cloth. However, I have also used vinegar to clean water marks off glass shower screens and there I don't need to rinse it off thoroughly. It works a treat and the smell disappears very quickly. I don't believe a single guest has been bothered by it.

[Huma0]

@Dee--Denise-1 

Despite my comment above RE the vinegar, I also agree with @Sarah977 that this guest is too demanding. The early check in question (coming the night before, really???) would put me off completely, before they even brought up cleaning products...

[Sarah977]

@Huma0  @Branka-and-Silvia0  My non-use of vinegar has nothing to do with the smell lingering. The smell of it makes me gag. So I can't use it at all. 

[Huma0]

@Sarah977 

So no vinegar on your fish and chips?!!! Sacrilege 🙂

[Sarah977]

@Huma0  Vinegar on fish and chips? Revolting. 🙂

Vinegar on anything? Revolting. 🙂

[Huma0]

@Sarah977 

So, no pickles of any description? 

Sorry, I know I'm pushing here 🙂

Personally, I have a real aversion to anchovies...

[Huma0]

@Sarah977 

And also really not fond of the smell of bleach

[Sarah977]

@Huma0  Well, pickles are a bit of an anomoly. I do like dill pickles, pickled beets, and so on, but I think that's because the vegetable somehow absorbs the vinegar in a way they don't end up tasting vinegary to me.