Pools and other outdoor amenities are great attractions guests look for when booking an Airbnb, especially during the summer months. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your pool up to standards, start now and get in the habit of pool cleanliness. Here are some tips on how your Airbnb cleaning service can keep pool areas clean for the upcoming season.
Pool Cleaning Tools
No one wants to swim in a pool that’s green and murky or full of bugs. Make sure your pool is kept clean and tidy to ensure shining reviews. While pool chemicals like chlorine and bromine help keep the water clean, there are a few more steps that you should take to maintain your pool’s overall cleanliness. Make sure you are equipped with these pool cleaning necessities to get the job done efficiently!
Telescopic Pole
Before getting started, make sure you have all the necessary equipment. A telescopic pole is a necessity for a pool owner. If you didn’t know, telescopic poles are adjustable and you can attach different things on the end of them. For pool cleaning, this means that you can easily clean the deep end without having to go for a swim. When purchasing a telescopic pole, make sure to keep in mind the depth and width of your pool. You don’t want to buy a pole that is too short to reach the middle or the deep end. There are a wide variety of options to choose from on Amazon or at Home Depot.
Skimmer Net
In addition to the telescopic pole, you will also need various attachments. One of the most useful attachments would have to be a skimmer net. A skimmer net will allow you to clean debris that accumulates on top of and below the surface of the water. This will be useful against leaves, bugs, and other floating debris. There are two types of skimmer nets: a flat skimmer or a bag skimmer. It is important to note that while a bag skimmer will hold more debris, it is also harder to empty than a flat skimmer, especially when wet. It is recommended to use the skimmer net daily to prevent the debris from sinking to the bottom of the pool. This will also make vacuuming an easier task.
Pool Brush
On top of a skimmer net, a pool brush is another necessary attachment for your telescopic pole. Use the pool brush attached to a telescopic pole to scrub the walls and floor of your pool. This will remove any dirt or algae before it has the chance to stick. Before purchasing a pool brush, think about what material your pool surface is made out of. Different materials require different brush heads. At the very least, brush the walls and floor of your pool every two weeks or in between guests. This will push the algae into the water making it easier for the pool sanitizers to kill it. Don’t forget to scrub the steps and any other crevices.
Vacuum
One last tool for cleaning your pool water is a vacuum. You can choose to purchase a manual vacuum (vacuum head, vacuum hose, and skim vac which attaches to the telescopic pole) or you may choose to buy an automatic vacuum. Of course, the manual vacuum will be more labor intensive, but it will also be cheaper than the automatic vacuum. Be sure to thoroughly research both options before purchasing. Whichever option you choose, try to vacuum your pool every week or when you notice a lot of debris.
Pool Sanitizers
Cleaning out the visible debris from your pool is only half of the job done. To keep your pool clean and safe for guests, you will need to maintain a proper chemical balance. Pool sanitizers keep the water clean by eliminating bacteria, algae, and other contaminants. The recommended pH balance for a pool is between 7.4 and 7.6. Any higher or lower can cause skin irritation or pool corrosion. Use pH test strips regularly and add the required chemicals in addition to the standard chemical cleaners to your pool water to regulate the pH balance. This may be outside of the Airbnb cleaning service realm of responsibilities, but hosts will surely benefit from the following.
Chlorine
There are six types of chlorine that can be used for pool sanitation. These can come in liquid, tabulet, or powder form. For private residences, calcium hypochlorite is the most popular powdered chlorine. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (dichlor) and chlorine tablets (trichlor) are also popular options for residential pools. Chlorine can be stabilized with the addition of cyanuric acid. Be sure to shock your pool every week or after events. While the low cost, ease of use, and effectiveness of chlorine make it so popular as a pool sanitizer, it has a strong chemical smell and has to be added frequently. If you choose to use chlorine as your pool sanitizer, please research which option will work best for you. Each of the types of chlorine mentioned has a different cost, pH balance, method of dispersion, and volatility.
Bromine
While bromine is usually used to sanitize hot tubs and spas, it is also an effective pool cleaner. Bromine is available for use in tablet form, which can be introduced into your pool through a feeder, floating dispenser, or in your skimmer net. However, bromine is slow to dissolve, so it is recommended to use a feeder for dispersion. Bromine produces bromamines which need to be shocked in order to maintain the effectiveness.
People with sensitive skin may prefer bromine as it is usually not as irritating to the skin or eyes as chlorine is. Bromine is more stable and effective than chlorine in high temperatures, which is why it is more commonly used in hot tubs and spas. For outdoor pools that receive direct sunlight, bromine will need to be replenished frequently to maintain healthy levels. Because of the higher cost and frequent replenishing, bromine is recommended more for indoor pools or hot tubs
The Surrounding Areas
Now that your pool water is clean, be sure to give the surrounding areas a proper scrub to complete the picture. If your Airbnb cleaning service has one, consider using a pressure washer to clean the pool deck and walkways. Clean patio furniture and put away all unneeded pool accessories. A freshly mowed lawn free of weeds and other debris is sure to be a nice background for a pool day. Consider stringing outdoor lights around the area to further set the mood and make your outdoor area a setting fit for the evening hours.
It might also be a good idea to set aside a designated area for guests to place their towels and other items. A sturdy bench or table set up near the poolside will save renters the trouble of running from the pool to grab a towel and tracking water all over. Having an outdoor table will also give guests a place to put food, drinks, and valuables within reach yet far enough away from the water to be safe. Have your Airbnb cleaning service wipe down these surfaces between guests.
Pool Safety
Another important aspect to consider when opening your rental space up for visitors is safety. The most obvious safety item to have on hand near a pool is a flotation device. Store floaties in an outdoor shed or another outdoor storage location for easy access. Wet surfaces are notoriously slippery, so it might also be a good idea to place a first aid kit nearby in case of an emergency. Your Airbnb cleaning service can ensure that toys and floaties are properly stowed for your guests.
How To Avoid Tracking Water Inside
Now that your pool and the surrounding areas is all taken care of, find ways to encourage your guests to avoid bringing an outdoor mess inside. As previously mentioned, having an outdoor table to guests to leave their items will decrease the likelihood of them running back inside to fetch a towel. Storing extra towels near the entrance will undoubtedly be useful in keeping the water outside. Placing a doormat outside will also help to avoid tracking water inside by encouraging guests to wipe their feet prior to entering the house. This preemptive step will make your Airbnb cleaning service’s life much easier.
Finishing thoughts
Now you know all the basics to keep your pool clean! Also, be sure to share these tips with your Airbnb cleaners. Nothing is better than relaxing poolside on a hot day, so be sure to provide your guests with a clean and refreshing environment for this activity. And, if you elevate your pool enough, it might just be a calling for vacationers year-round!
