10 Commonly Missed Spots in Vacation Rental Cleaning

January 5, 2022

This article was written in partnership between StayFi with TurnoverBn B

Professional vacation rental cleaners move from property to property, sometimes cleaning five or more rentals in a single shift. It’s no wonder certain areas in your rental go overlooked during cleanings. Below, learn about 10 of the most common spots missed during vacation rental cleaning and how to ensure they are sanitized and sparkling clean from top to bottom.

Top 10 Spots Missed by Vacation Rental Cleaning Services

From the bathroom to the kitchen, vacation rental cleaners need to pay attention to many details in a property. Unfortunately, some places can easily be overlooked.

Ensure every room is tidy and ready for the next guests by addressing the top 10 missed cleaning spots discussed below.

1. Baseboards

The lowest and perhaps most strenuous area in the house to clean, baseboards can often be overlooked, especially in a vacation rental cleaning. However, these floor pieces need to be dusted and wiped clean of dirt that collects in the cracks.

Here’s how to tackle cleaning your baseboards:

Grab a Magic Eraser or small cloth, and a bucket of warm water mixed with a little dish soap.
Then, run your cloth down the baseboard, nudging your fingers into the corners to clean the entire surface.
In between wipe-downs, experts also recommend vacuuming the baseboards frequently.

2. Small Appliances

Small appliances, such as the microwave, toaster, and coffee pot, tend to be used more than other appliances. Thus, these tools need to be cleaned thoroughly during a turnover and deep cleaned every so often

Microwave

This appliance should be cleaned during every turnover. Start by cleaning out any residual food with a solution of 1 part vinegar, ½ part dish soap, and 4 parts water (or multipurpose cleaner) and wipe thoroughly.

Then, take a microwave-safe bowl, spray about ten pumps of multipurpose cleaner in it, and then add about a cup of water. Next, spray the inside of the microwave with a window cleaner, especially on hard-to-remove, large spills. Place the bowl in the microwave and run it on high for about five minutes. Scrub away any larger messes until clean.

Toaster

Dust out any crumbs and wipe the surface of the toaster clean with the solution described above.

Coffee Pot

Run a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar and 4 parts water) cycle through the coffee pot to flush the inside of any remaining coffee grounds or scum.

After this cycle, run a few hot water cycles to rinse out any vinegar smell and residue. Wipe the entire coffee machine from top to bottom and hand dry with a towel until completely dry.

3. Television Remote

Remotes for TVs, air conditioners, and other gadgets are high-touch items and should be disinfected before each new guest.

Spray the remote all over with a disinfectant spray, then wipe it down. Make sure you get in between the buttons, as build-up can occur.

4. Toothbrush Holder

Did you know toothbrush holders can foster up to 3,318,477 microorganisms per 1.55 square inches?

Toothbrushes and toothbrush holders are one of the most germ-harboring items in a bathroom. As bacteria can grow in moisture-loving places, it’s extremely important to disinfect these tools in a vacation rental.

Using a multipurpose cleaner and disinfectant, grab a clean sponge and scrub the toothbrush holder until sparkling clean.

5. Behind the Toilet

Many people think that scrubbing the toilet’s front side and bowl is sufficient. However, toilet cleaning also involves getting to the back and surrounding areas. According to a microbiology study conducted in 2020, just one toilet flush can send particles through the air and onto the floor and walls nearby.

The best way to get the job done is by wiping the back of a toilet with paper towels and a disinfectant. Be sure to also disinfect your equipment and wash your hands right away.

6. Garbage Cans

Garbage cans foster gross bacteria and particles, especially in a vacation rental. Every so often, these bins need to be deep-cleaned.

Start by washing the inside and outside of the bins with a power spray hose. Then, scrub away stuck-on stains with dish soap and white vinegar. Power wash the suds away, and let the garbage can dry completely before using.

7. Under Rugs

Floor decor can be tricky to clean. The best rule of thumb for rug cleaning is to vacuum over and under rugs during a turnover.

To avoid a major build-up of dust, skin particles, and other debris, area rugs should be washed in a washing machine with water and detergent, and dried on high heat.

8. Dishwasher

A dishwasher used daily should be lightly cleaned weekly and deep-cleaned monthly. If detergent and food bits get caught up in the dishwasher, the appliance cannot function properly.

During every turnover, the cleaning service should remove any bits of food in the racks or on the bottom and wipe down the exterior of the dishwasher. Once a month, the filter should be cleaned, and a dishwashing cleaning detergent cycle should be run.

9. Under Sofa Cushions

Cushions are often left untouched on day beds or couches for many turnovers. However, sofa and couch cushions — and under the cushions — need to be cleaned for debris between each guest.

For a quick clean, sprinkle baking soda on the couch and cushions and let sit for a few minutes while cleaning other areas. Then, vacuum the baking soda off.

10. Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are an appliance that can commonly be overlooked by cleaners, but looked at by guests. Therefore, every vacation rental cleaning should include a proper dusting of ceiling, tower, and other types of fans. Guests will certainly appreciate clean air in their rental.

Never Miss a Spot, Use a Vacation Rental Cleaning Checklist

To ensure the most efficient and thorough result, use a vacation rental cleaning checklist to keep track of specific tasks and activities. Using TurnoverBnB’s checklist creator, Airbnb hosts can create their own checklists for cleaning their properties. Vacation rental cleaning has never been easier.

With over 50,000 users, TurnoverBnB provides a centralized platform for listing, sourcing, and managing cleaning services and maintenance providers for vacation rental properties worldwide. Their app helps Airbnb hosts and cleaners automate their processes, from scheduling to payment.

Arthur Colker

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