Cleaning involves a lot of steps and processes.
Many people might often overlook certain areas while cleaning vacation rentals, which can, in turn, lead to negative guest reviews.
Although these areas might seem unnecessary to clean, it is important to check and clean them often to extend the appliances’ life spans.
To find out which spots get overlooked the most, check out our list of all the forgotten areas while cleaning vacation rentals.
Cleaning the AC Unit
First, let’s discuss cleaning the air conditioner. Cleaners often overlook cleaning the AC unit, but a clean AC filter is very important for efficiency and a longer-lasting system.
Cleaning the filters may seem difficult, but it is easy to maintain. It’s just four steps to follow for a more efficient AC.
Vacuum AC Filter
The first step is to vacuum the AC filter. For window AC units, take off the cover and vacuum regularly. To avoid damaging the filter, make sure to use the vacuum attachment without a brush.
Vacuuming the filter helps prevent harsh allergies as well because it removes all the extra dust that accumulated in the AC.
Soak the Filter
The next step would be to soak the filter in a bathtub with room temperature water. Add enough liquid detergent to lather up the tub, then submerge the filter for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Move the filter around every few minutes so that it can be fully covered in the solution. After soaking use a hose to wash off the soapy solution and let dry.
Spray the AC Filter
The third step is to spray the filter with a vinegar solution. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water to a spray bottle and spray the filter. Wait around 10 to 15 minutes for the solution to kill any bacteria, and then rinse out the solution.
Dry the Filter
Finally, the last step in cleaning the AC filter is to dry it. This step is the most important to avoid mold from growing in the AC unit.
Filters need to air dry for at least two hours, depending on the size. Rest the filter on the wall with newspapers on the ground to speed up the process. Check if the filter is fully dried before putting it back in the unit.
Cleaning the Coffee Maker
Does the vacation rental have a coffee maker in the kitchen? It is vital to clean this tiny but important machine since many people drink coffee in the mornings.
If there is a Keurig machine in the kitchen, it is essential to clean the water reservoir because it can start to retain mold and mineral deposits after a long period without cleaning. Here’s how to clean:
Disassemble and Wash
Empty out the water reservoir and take apart the coffee maker to wash any removable parts of the machine with dish soap.
Clean the Exterior
Dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and clean around the part where the coffee pod goes in. Also, use the brush to clean around the water reservoir area.
Run a Vinegar Cycle
After the pieces are dry, reassemble the coffee maker to wash out the inside of it. Fill the reservoir with 4 cups of white vinegar and 2 cups water.
Run the machine with nothing except for the vinegar and water solution, and keep running it until the machine cycles all of the solutions. Let it sit for a couple of hours and then rinse.
Run a Water Cycle
Repeat the process of the vinegar cycle but with plain water to rinse out any remaining gunk and vinegar inside the machine.
After doing the water cycle, the machine should be fully clean and ready for making fresh coffee!
Cleaning the Fridge
While it is important to wipe the outside of the fridge with a wipe, it is just as important to clean out the inside of the fridge and wipe down all of the shelves for a clean fridge.
After each turnover, it is best to clean out the fridge and wipe away any bad food odor that is left from the previous stay. To clean out the fridge, make sure to:
- Empty everything out of the fridge and throw out expired food
- Take out shelves, drawers, and any containers in the fridge
- Wash the removable parts with dish soap and dry
- Use a soapy towel to wipe the inside of the fridge, then wipe with a different clean towel to dry
- Put everything back inside of the fridge after all the shelving has dried
For a clean-smelling fridge, make sure to open a box of baking soda to leave inside the refrigerator, because it helps combat strong odors.
Cleaning the Dishwasher
Having a clean dishwasher means having even cleaner dishes. The dishwasher can accrue mold without proper care, so it is important to be thorough while cleaning.
- Take the racks, filter, and utensil holders out of the dishwasher
- Make a solution of warm water and a cup of white vinegar and soak the racks, filter etc. for 30 minutes
- Check for any debris, wipe the sides and in the crevices and use a toothbrush for hard to reach food debris.
- Fill a bowl with white vinegar and run the dishwasher on a hot water cycle
- Next, take out the bowl and sprinkle baking soda (about one cup) along the bottom and then run a short cycle
After the short cycle, the dishwasher should be good as new. Just remember to wipe the outside door of the washer as well to attain a sparkling clean dishwasher.
Double Check Everywhere
These are just a few spots that people might overlook while cleaning vacation rentals. It’s best to make a checklist of everything you might miss while cleaning and make sure everything is ready to go for the next guest.
Whether you’re an experienced cleaner looking to expand your network or you simply want to make more money cleaning, TurnoverBnB will help you achieve all of your Airbnb cleaning goals.
