The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly disrupted travel plans. Social distancing, wearing a mask, and constant sanitizing are the new norm. Under these circumstances, the vacation rental business has also suffered immensely. Property owners now have to be more careful than ever to ensure that their place is immaculately clean if they hope to get bookings. Here are 5 things you need to know about COVID-19 pandemic and Airbnb cleaning.
- Airbnb has implemented an enhanced cleaning protocol
Like virtually everything else, Airbnb has changed its cleaning protocols. It has now implemented a 5 step plan that includes preparing, cleaning, sanitizing, checking, and resetting after each checkout. Merely changing the linens and dusting the room is not enough. You need to make sure that your property is properly sanitized and disinfected too. Make sure to spray disinfectant on everything that is frequently touched. This includes the doorknobs, cupboard handles, remote controls, and tap controls. Remember to let the disinfectant sit for a while before you wash it off with water. Some spray disinfectants take a few minutes to completely kill the pathogens. If you wipe it away before that, the process won't be completed successfully.
The key aspect to consider is ventilation. The chances of COVID-19 infection are greater in small, closed spaces when compared to open spaces. So, if you have a small property, make sure to keep the windows open to help improve the ventilation.
The COVID-19 virus is prone to extreme heat. Therefore, try to soak the linens in hot water after washing them. This will help to disinfect them and kill any remaining pathogens. The same goes for dishes. Try to wash the dishes at the highest heat settings. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the hot water and to limit physical contact with dishes.
If you think you can’t manage to keep up with the enhanced protocol for COVID-19, it might be a good idea to hire an Airbnb cleaning service. Turnify, for example, strives hard to ensure that your property is not only immaculately clean but also sanitizes and disinfects the place. The designated cleaners follow all the SOPs and protocols to minimize physical contact and prevent the spread of the virus.
- Be wary of social distancing protocols when stating the accommodation limit
Before the Covid era, it was common for families to squeeze into small rooms and shared spaces. However, such things are not possible now. So, when you state the maximum accommodation limit of your property make sure to cap the guest count to allow for social distancing. This is especially important if you are renting out private rooms and your property includes shared spaces such as a kitchen and living room.
Try to limit shared spaces as much as possible because there is a high chance your paying guests will be reluctant to interact during the Covid-19 era. People would be much more comfortable if their interaction with the host is minimal and this would also prevent the spread of the virus. In some places, government laws are limiting the shared spaces in short-term rentals. The laws vary, but most governments have placed additional measures around rental capacity and bookings. However, if your property has shared spaces, make sure to sanitize everything with a spray disinfectant every few hours or as frequently as possible.
Airbnb has also imposed a global ban on parties happening at its listed properties. The headcount has been capped at 16, which is the maximum occupancy. So, as a host, you need to make sure that this is followed closely, or risk having your listing deactivated.
- Good cleaning will improve your listing on Airbnb
As we have mentioned before, getting bookings in the Covid era has gotten more difficult due to the enhanced safety and cleaning protocols, but every cloud has a silver lining. If anything, these enhanced protocols are a chance to increase your bookings. All you have to do is ensure that your property is immaculately clean and sanitized as frequently as possible.
This will make your property more appealing and ensure that you get top-tier reviews. In turn, the top-tier reviews will improve your listing on Airbnb’s site and increase your bookings.
As you can see, it is incredibly important to focus on keeping your property immaculately clean. Whether it is a room, an apartment, or even an entire house, the number of bookings depend on whether the guests deem your place safe from the virus. Even if you share spaces with your guests, try to sanitize everything as frequently as possible to make sure that those places are hygienic.
- Follow all SOPs while rental cleaning
Limiting physical contact is important even while you are cleaning the property after your guests check out, so make sure that you are wearing face masks and gloves while cleaning.
It is a good idea to hire a rental cleaning company for your property under such circumstances. Such Airbnb cleaning services are well versed in the protocols of rental cleaning in the COVID-19 era. They ensure that your place is properly sanitized in addition to being clean and organized. Physical contact during the entire cleaning process will be strictly restricted. And enhanced cleaning will add trust among your guests and will increase your number of bookings.
- Make sure that your guests follow the SOPs as well
Although hospitality means placing your guests' comfort above all else, the COVID19 pandemic also causes concern for your guests' actions as it is related to the spread of the virus. In addition to following the new Airbnb protocols, guests need to also follow local guidance. As an aside, Airbnb does not refund a booking for a guest who does not comply with the current COVID standards, that is how serious they take their SOPs.
