Do you Have a Rental Property Listed on AirBnb, VRBO, or Similar Websites?
How are you maintaining COVID-19 cleaning standards?
According to Vacation Rental Management Association (VMRA) and the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP) the initial disclosure of COVID-19 challenged the vacation rental industry like nothing else in history. The first wave of health impact shut down global travel and the ability to accept any guests into our rental properties. Following that, we saw a mass amount of government rules and restrictions set forth which impacted and/or eliminated our ability to operate normal business.
For those of us who work in the Travel & Tourism and Hospitality industries, cleanliness is always top of the list of requirements for hosts and guests alike. Cleaning a vacation rental is no easy task, even when we aren’t faced with a global pandemic, like COVID-19. As we have come to know, it’s even more critical in today’s society.
According to the CDC it’s possible for an individual to contract COVID-19 simply by touching a contaminated surface, such as a doorknob or light switch. Additionally, the virus may live on some surfaces for several hours or even days! This is why it’s particularly essential for us to clean and sanitize all surfaces as much as possible, especially between reservations.
Hospitality cleaners are expected to take a vacation rental property, that’s almost always in disarray from the recently departed guests and completely reset it like new. Cleaners must eliminate all the bacteria, filth, and microbes that have been left behind in a property and create a clean and appealing new atmosphere for the incoming guests. Vacation rental professionals are skilled in that they understand that cleaning a property effectively requires specific instruction, suitable supplies, and a methodical process.
Presently the CDC recommends that individuals wait 24 hours, or as long as possible before entering a space occupied by a person who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. It is also advised that all vacation rental field staff/housekeepers/and maintenance technicians complete proper COVID-19 training and detailed safety precautions. It’s become extremely vital that our team members must understand how to safely use chemicals, proper disposal of trash, cleaning supplies as well as biohazard materials.
The Difference Between Cleaning and Sanitizing
In order to reduce the spread of germs and potentially deadly bacteria, it helps to know the distinction between cleaning and sanitizing. Cleaning is defined as the act of removing germs, dirt, and impurities (like using a soapy sponge). However, sanitizing is the act of using harder chemicals to reduce the overall number of germs and bacteria. VRHP recommends that by cleaning first, then sanitizing, we can significantly reduce the risk of human exposure.
Download a FREE copy of the CDC’s Guidance for Cleaning & Disinfecting HERE.
Follow these published AirBnB cleaning guidelines.
*This content is based on publicly available information from the CDC. Neither the CDC nor AirBnB endorse this content. Additionally, Jill Hollywood makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to this content provided for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
