Vacation cottages are a fantastic way for folks to get away from the busy city and get some peace. Because they are cozy, cottages are very sought-after to rent for holidays and the winter season in general.
For both visitors and hosts, cleanliness is one of the most important components of short-term rentals. A messy house might start the holiday off badly for visitors. For hosts, it might damage the reputation of their entire company.
Maintaining your vacation rental to the greatest standards of cleanliness is essential to winning over your visitors and making sure they have a wonderful overall experience. So how do you maintain vacation homes? We’ve developed a list of the most important items that you should never forget.
How should holiday cottages be cleaned?
Since some vacation cottages are older—some from the 19th century or even earlier—they need special maintenance. They may tend to be weak, especially if the roof is built of dry straw.
While cleaning with the utmost care, it’s also crucial to pay attention to everything your visitors may have touched. There is a distinction between a vacation rental that seems cozy and one that is simply messy and unclean. The following is a list of things to clean at a vacation home, organized by room:
1. A dining area
Make sure your guests are focused on enjoying their expertly prepared food as they assemble their friends and family around the table:
Clean the dining room table and chairs.
To clean any cotton napkins
tidy centerpieces
Especially under the table and chairs, vacuum the floor.
Clean windows.
2. Living space
The living room is a common space where visitors may unwind and watch TV or just read a book, which is similar to why guests opt to rent.
Make sure your visitors are at ease:
- Clear the ash from the fireplace and supply enough coal or wood.
- In place of magazines or newspapers
- Clean the mantelpiece and the shelves.
- Delete any webs of spiders
- Examine the cushions and sofa for any stains.
- Clean the carpet and any rugs with a vacuum.
- Organize the bookshelves.
- sanitize the TV remote
- Check the sofa’s base for debris and dust.
3. The kitchen
Because they have access to a kitchen, many visitors these days choose vacation houses over hotels. Some guests enjoy cooking and would rather prepare their meals than eat out. There is nothing cozier than preparing a home-cooked winter meal, like a traditional Sunday roast, in vacation homes.
Don’t overlook anything in the kitchen to improve the guest experience:
- Keep the oven, microwave, and refrigerator clean.
- Polish cooking utensils including the coffee maker, the toaster, and the kettle
- Clean all the utensils and dishes.
- Pots and pans should match their lids.
- Offer fresh tea towels
- Remove any food.
- Remove the trash cans
4. Bathrooms
The room that hosts your guests’ beds after a tiring day of vacation may be the most crucial of all. For a peaceful vacation, getting a good night’s sleep is essential, and a clean bed (including the mattress, pillows, and cushions) is essential:
- Clean the curtain rods and the top of the wardrobe.
- Look for lost objects or trash between the mattress and the headboard.
- Look under the bed for any items that were forgotten.
- Clean the bedsheets and blankets.
- ventilate the duvet
- Clean the drawers and shelves in the closet.
5. Exterior and garden
The exterior of your property will be the first thing visitors will notice, therefore you want to make a great first impression and set the bar high:
- Pick up any debris at the entryway.
- Clean the gutters and drains.
- Delete ashtray contents and ash buds from cigarettes.
- Clean all outdoor furniture.
- Get rid of bird poop
- Remove barbecue drippings and food that has been burned on.
- The garden should be cleaned up of debris and weeds.
6. Cottages that welcome pets
If your cottage is pet-friendly, be sure to clean up any messes your pet made:
- Clean the pet bed using a vacuum.
- Clean the floor if a dog tracked muck onto it with its paws.
- Clean the eating and drinking vessels.
- rake the litter box
- Remove any pet hair
- any stains from the carpet
7. Toilets
If your cottage offers towels for visitors, make sure they are in excellent shape. The same holds for other essential bathroom items like shower curtains and bath mats.
Because of the humidity in bathrooms, mold can easily grow there. Regularly check all tiles and water-prone locations for any issues, and silicone-reseal them if necessary.
- Clean the mirror, sink, toilet, and shower.
- Replace free toiletries like soap and shower gel with your own.
- Clean the floor.
- Clean the bathroom mat and shower curtain.
- Candles and diffusers should be changed
- Make sure the drains are not clogged.
What should I remember?
There are several areas of the house that owners frequently overlook and neglect to clean. When it comes to cleaning, be sure to set priorities and have a strategy in place. Even if we don’t like to believe it, cleaners occasionally make mistakes, therefore it’s crucial to double-check everything.
Even if you don’t rent out your vacation home year-round, it’s still vital to maintain and clean it when it’s vacant, especially if it’s prone to spider webs. Cover furniture with sheets or specialized furniture covers when the house is unoccupied to reduce excessive dust.
