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. 

[Huma0]

@Sarah977 

Glad to hear that you are not missing out on pickles, especially dill 🙂

I get that the smell of vinegar is very strong. The distilled white stuff I use for cleaning isn't quite as bad but I wouldn't want to smell it too often. I do prefer though to use more 'traditional' cleaning products when I can, e.g. bicarb of soda or citric acid. No idea if these are actually that good for you, but so far no one has gotten ill from the citric acid I use to descale the kettle (I use a tiny quantity compared to the packet instructions and rinse thoroughly).

Still, I would not accommodate a guest that would dictate what products I can and can't use. While I completely appreciate that some people are more sensitive to smells or allergic to certain things, I can't be all things for all people, so to speak. It amazes me how many people who are allergic to cats want to book my listings despite my three cats. It's like they seem to think that if they let me know they are allergic (sometimes only on arrival) that I will 'sanitise' the cats in someway...

[Dee--Denise-1]

thank you everyone.  the guest opted not to come after all

[Debra300]

@Sarah977,

We all have things that assault our olfactory senses so soundly that tasting the item is just not bearable.  I cannot stand the smell of tabasco sauce, and have no idea what it tastes like, because the odor is so off-putting.  Additionally, I gag at the smell of marmite, Vita Malt, Malta and the lot.  I've never tasted any of them, because my nose just says NO!

Conversely, vinegar definitely has a strong smell, but I grew up eating a lot of foods with it as an ingredient (many are pickled items and marinades).

[Mark116]

@Dee--Denise-1  I would say no here, not because vinegar is or isn't effective against covid, but because even if you did only clean with vinegar, there can still be residual odors from other cleaners used previously, because vinegar may not clean everything, and because this seems like a potential for the guests to be  unhappy.

[Sarah977]

@Mark116  I can just imagine a scenario where a host agreed not to follow the cleaning protocol and then the guest claimed they got Covid there. Whose side do you think Airbnb would take, even if the host referred them to messages where the guest had requested no disinfecting products? I have a pretty good idea.

In fact, while it may not be the case here, it could become one of those "how to get a free stay on Airbnb" scammer favorites, along with false claims of bedbugs, discrimination, and hidden cameras.

[Debra300]

@Dee--Denise-1,

If the guest had made only the request to use diluted vinegar to clean the place, I probably would have agreed, because to me that's not an unreasonable request.  However, asking to come on Tuesday night or early Wednesday (I assume before normal check-in time), and not inquiring if there is an associated fee, makes this potential booking is a no-go.  Personally, I use vinegar as a fabric softener, and the smell dissipates when the laundry dries.

[Colleen253]

@Dee--Denise-1 “So unfortunately I can't reserve the time there I was hoping.”

It looks like your problem was already solved (?) But if this return guest is someone you don’t mind hosting again, and you have no problem accommodating the vinegar request, then go for it. Gracefully sidestep what is basically the ask for a free night with “Hi A & B, I’m happy to accommodate the extra night as well, as it’s available. I will send you a change booking form with the Tuesday night added. All you have to do is accept.” Or ask them to add the night when they send their request, as applicable. 

It’s assumed they gave you a good review the first stay?