When it comes to securing a 5-star rating on your holiday let, a huge factor is the condition and cleanliness of your property. For many, an Airbnb or holiday rental is a second income. So, keeping on top of the cleanup, especially during the busy holiday season, can become quite stressful. That’s where we come in.
Our essential guide to cleaning a holiday let provides you with the best and most effective way to clean your holiday home, based on our first hand experience. But if in doubt, you can always speak to the team at Clean4Shaw, who assist in deep cleaning and keeping your holiday rental in tip-top condition.
A Step-By-Step Guide for Holiday Let Cleaning
1. Give yourself enough time
By this, we mean providing your guests with set check-in and check-out slots. With plenty of time between handovers for you to get in, clean and deal with any surprises before the next booking arrives. It also gives you the time to add finishing touches, such as fresh flowers or welcome packs, that really make a difference.
2. Check for damage
Before you start, review each room and outdoor space to make sure everything is as it should be. Take note of any issues – general faults such as loose taps can be fixed by yourself, but bigger issues like a broken window need to be documented and addressed with guests. Be sure to check lightbulbs, showers, water pressure, smoke alarms, TVs, etc., as you complete your initial check.
3. Go room by room
We recommend going from top to bottom or back to front so you’re not walking back through perfectly cleaned rooms. Below, our professional holiday let cleaners have listed how to clean each space efficiently.
• Bedrooms
✓ Strip the beds and wash all bed linen
✓ Check the condition of the mattress – is it time to flip or replace it?
✓ Remake the beds with fresh sheets and plump the pillows
✓ Wipe down windows and window sill. If you have nets, these should be washed
✓ Dust window blinds and open them to allow as much light as possible
✓ Dust all furniture, skirting boards and the ceiling, including light shades!
✓ Check wardrobes and drawers for any left items
✓ Hoover the floor, curtains and any soft furnishings
✓ Clean the doors and disinfect door handles
✓ Empty the bin and spritz the room with air freshener
• Bathrooms & ensuites
✓ Remove and wash all towels and bathmats
✓ Rinse and clean the sink, bath and/or shower
✓ Remove hair from the plug hole and disinfect
✓ Wash and replace shower curtains
✓ Clean all surfaces, tiles, mirrors, windows and doors
✓ Clean the toilet
✓ Empty the bin and remove any left items
✓ Replenish any toiletries and towels
✓ Sweep and mop the floor
• Living areas
✓ Remove any rubbish or items left behind
✓ Wipe down windows, blinds and window sills
✓ Dust ceilings, furniture and skirting boards
✓ Hoover the floor, rugs, curtains and sofas
✓ Clean and prepare the fireplace if you have one
✓ Polish all furniture and mirrors
• Kitchen and dining rooms
✓ Empty and rinse the dishwater
✓ Disinfect the sink and restock any cleaning supplies
✓ Wipe down tables, chairs, cupboards and worktops
✓ Empty and wipe clean fridges and freezers
✓ Clean the oven and grill – opt for a professional oven clean if required.
✓ Check and clean the microwave and/or air fryer
✓ Wipe down windows and window sills
✓ Empty bins and add new bin bags
✓ Sweep and mop the floors
• Landings and hallways
✓ Remove any rubbish
✓ Dust ceilings, skirting boards and any furniture
✓ Wipe door windows and doors
✓ Hoover and/or mop the floors
• Outdoor spaces
✓ Clear any fallen debris
✓ Wipe down furniture and children’s play toys
✓ Check and clean BBQs
✓ Cut and trim the grass
✓ Weed driveways and pathways
✓ Deadhead flowerbeds and replant if needed
✓ Water your flowerbeds
✓ Clean hot tubs using recommended products
4. Create a checklist
The best way to make sure you’re cleaning a holiday let correctly is to create a quick-reference checklist. Not only does this ensure you don’t miss a spot, but if you have a team helping you, you can divide and conquer with confidence that everyone knows what is expected. Include all the elements listed above, and add your personal touches that make your rental a must-stay experience.
How Often Should I Clean a Holiday Let?
Holiday lets should be cleaned before any new arrivals and immediately after guests have left. With the latter, you don’t want to let any stains or smells linger as these will be harder to remove – get in as soon as possible to assess and clean. If your holiday home has been unused for a while, arrive before your next booking to refresh any linen, dust away cobwebs and let fresh air in.
A deep clean is also a highly beneficial option for a holiday rental. At Clean4Shaw, our deep cleaning services ensure every room has been inspected, treated and left in pristine condition. Saving you time and stress over the cleanliness of your holiday let, especially if it’s not located locally.
How Long Does it Take to Clean a Holiday Home?
This is dependent on the size of your holiday let. You must also consider your décor as intricate features or specialised furniture may require more time and attention. If you have an outdoor space with BBQs and hot tubs, these will incur extra cleaning time, too.
By hiring a professional cleaning team such as Clean4Shaw, we can efficiently clean and tidy your holiday let, no matter its size. We also have experience on how to correctly clean wooden floors, carpet cleaning, oven cleaning, window cleaning and specialised treatments.
Looking For a Professional Holiday Let Cleaning Service?
Let us deal with the mess of holiday guests and leave your holiday home squeaky clean. Book your Clean4Shaw holiday let service now and prepare for your most profitable and stress-free holiday season!