take many preventative measures to ensure the health of everyone we are so grateful to serve. On a daily basis, we’re working to ensure that vacation rentals meet the latest guidance on hygiene and cleaning.
Wiping Down
Wiping down all electronics, drawer pulls, door knobs, handles etc.
Washing Hands
Washing hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoiding Touching
Eyes, nose, and mouth, as well as shaking hands.
Hospital Grade
Sanitizers and disinfectants used throughout the cleaning process.
All Employees
Who display symptoms of illness must seek medical assistance and stay home.
Follow “American Chemistry Council’s”
Guidelines for cleaning in commercial settings list in between guest stays.
team of housekeeping professionals follow protocol and always look for ways to improve upon their craft. Every vacation rental is inspected prior to our guest arrival to ensure it meets our standards.
Booking a Vacation Rental Is Complicated This Summer. Here’s How to Stay Safe and Get a Good Deal
Vacation rentals around the world bottomed out at the beginning April as COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the global economy. New bookings in the U.S. plummeted to 252,000 in the first week of April, down from 625,000 during the first week of March, according to short-term rental data tracker AirDNA.
But as cities across the globe have loosened stay-at-home orders, the vacation rental market has rebounded phenomenally. According to AirDNA, summer bookings for short-term rentals surged 127% between April 5 and May 18, reaching close to pre-COVID levels.
relieved that she’s received an uptick in new reservations — and she didn’t have to reduce her rates. The upshot? Although the coronavirus pandemic forced millions of Americans to stay cooped up in their homes for months, there are plenty of ways to get away this summer.
Look for price cuts
“Right now you can get extremely good deals,” says Jasper Ribbers, co-founder of the Short-Term Rental Profit Academy, a company that helps hosts provide better hospitality experiences. “In most cities demand is still going to be significantly lower than supply,” says Ribbers, who expects discounts of up to 30% this summer.
In turn, “cabin rentals and lake houses are in strong demand because they’re isolated, so they’re going to charge higher rates,”
vacation rental
trained housekeepers follow a comprehensive cleaning procedure after every stay, including sanitizing and disinfecting for your protection.
Better management means better vacations
Our property listings are crafted to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and ensure you know exactly what you’ll get. goal is to deliver an amazing experience and earn your five-star review, and that starts by helping you choose the perfect home for your vacation.
Stay comfortably
Before you arrive, professional housekeepers thoroughly clean and stock your home. And when you get there, check-in is easy. Smart locks and lockboxes let you go straight to the door and walk right in at most of our properties.
Avoid These Airbnb and Vacation Rental Host Cleaning Mistakes
The inevitable parts of owning a rental property are the tasks that come before and after guests leave – cleaning, scrubbing, washing, and dusting. For some of us, cleaning is a “trigger” word; for others, it’s not so daunting.
The Rush Job
We’ve all done it. Procrastination, extended senioritis, or just plain not wanting to do something is part of being human. It’s not usually a big issue, but it becomes a problem when it’s the default setting – in all aspects of life.
Assuming Your Cleaners are Mind Readers
There is absolutely no shame in hiring a cleaning company to take charge of scrubbing down your home after guests depart. After all, cleaning is their profession, so they know what they’re doing.
The Scatter-Brained Cleanse
Similar to the rush job, a scattered cleaning leaves potential for a peppering of mistakes. Being a host can be stressful as there are often unexpected situations that arise. Distractions are hard to avoid these days and multitasking has not only become the norm, but a necessity as well.
Thinking “Good Enough” is Enough
There are certain areas of life that we as humans need to let go of and forget our obsessions with perfection. But when it comes to taking a vacation rental seriously, the good should be better, and better should be the best.
High Expectations of Renters
We mentioned that it’s never safe to assume your renters are pristine and intuitively tidy. As they say, prepare for the worst, but still hope for the best.
VACATION RENTAL MANAGEMENT
CLEANING SERVICES
Making sure your vacation rental is cleaned and ready for the next visitor is one of the most important part of our vacation rental management services.
MAINTENANCE
We’ve got all maintenance services covered; from yard work and handyman tasks, to major repairs and renovations. Keeping your vacation rental in top shape all year round is part of what we do best!
PAYMENTS
Making a profit from your vacation rental is the most rewarding aspects of owning a vacation property.
LISTINGS
Rest easy with our à la carte vacation rental services, where we can either list on your behalf or you can opt for doing the listings yourself!
YOUR VACATION RENTAL PROPERTY IS IN GOOD HANDS!
Vacation property owners can rest assured knowing that their vacation homes are completely protected while increasing the profits of their rental income.
Choosing the Right Replacement Windows for Your Home
Contrary to what some ads say, saving money on your energy bills is not the reason to replace your windows. That’s because it could take decades to recoup the $8,000 to $24,000 you’ll spend on new windows and installation. Energy Star-qualified windows can lower your energy bills by 7 to 15 percent. That’s only about $27 to $111 per year for a 2,000-square-foot, single-story home with storm or double-pane windows, or $126 to $465 if that home has just single-pane windows. So why bother?
New windows can make your home quieter, more attractive, and less drafty, and they don’t need painting. They’re also easier to clean than old windows with combination storm and screens and can reduce your carbon footprint.
Price doesn’t indicate performance
Among double-hung clad wood windows, a pricey and bottom-rated window from Andersen, $500, wasn’t good at keeping out cold air and was so-so at keeping out rain. A $450 Kolbe vinyl double-hung was impressive, but a top-rated $260 Simonton was even better. All of the casement windows aced all tests. Prices varied by frame material; the top-scoring American Craftsman vinyl window, $260, is the least expensive casement. All prices are for a 3×5-foot window.
Match windows to climate
Look at the overall scores in our window Ratings, then zero in on test results that apply to where you live. If your home is exposed to high winds and cold temperatures, look for windows that were excellent at low-temperature wind resistance.
Don’t overspend on options
Upgrades can easily add 50 percent or more to the base cost of a window. Focus on features that add value. Low-E coatings improve efficiency, but triple glazing probably isn’t necessary unless you live in an extremely cold climate. Double-hung window sashes that tilt in make cleaning easier, and full screens allow optimum airflow when the top window is lowered and bottom window raised. Finer meshed screens let more light through and do not obscure the view as much as standard screens
All About Scrapers For Window Washing
What Are Scrapers And Why Do You Need Them?
Scrapers, sometimes referred to as window scrapers, window cleaning razor, or window and glass scraper or blade, are an essential tool in a window cleaner’s tool belt. They easily remove paint, tape, stickers and construction debris like stucco or caulk from walls, windows, tiles, and glass.
Size
Scrapers for professional window washers are manufactured in multiple sizes to allow the window washer the best possible choice for a job. The 5 and 6-inch scraper tools are amongst the most popular, but they can be found in 3 and 4-inch sizes as well.
Replacement Parts
Replacement parts for a window cleaning scraper with blades consist of cover, blade and insert track. The cover is used to protect the blade from unnecessary wear or damage while also protecting the window cleaner from bodily harm. Blades, like scrapers, come in multiple sizes. Purchasing the correct size blade for your window scraper is essential. Blades will not work with a scraper that is not the same size. The blade is placed on the insert track, and this combination is slid into the head of the scraper. The insert track keeps the blade steady and secure within the scraper tool.
Angle Of Scraper
To help facilitate the ease of removing challenging debris, the head of a window scraper will be either flat, angled, or bent forward. These options allow the window cleaner to choose the best alternative for the job.
Special Features
Some professional window cleaning scrapers are unique in that they are adjustable or retractable. Professional scrapers that are adjustable allows the head to be maneuvered so that it can be flat or bent at an angle, letting the window washer choose which angle will work best at any moment. Retractable scrapers allow the blade to be retracted into the head of the scraper tool when not in use, bypassing the need for a cover.
SQUEEGEES: A GUIDE
IF THERE IS ONE TOOL THAT DEFINES A PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANER, it’s certainly the squeegee. For over 100 years window cleaners have been able to clean quicker and better than those using towels to wipe the window clean. There is a surprising variety of squeegee options available, which can be intimidating when you are trying to make a purchasing decision. This guide will help you sort through the options so that you can decide what works best for you and make sure everything is compatible.
A SQUEEGEE IS MADE UP OF TWO PARTS: CHANNEL AND HANDLE. Channels come in a variety of lengths so that you can get the one that works best with your job. Most window cleaners have a variety of lengths on hand to handle different jobs. The handle holds the channel, and it the part of the squeegee you will grab and hold onto
YOUR CHANNEL HOLDS YOUR SQUEEGEE rubber, which wipes water off of the glass. It will have an extruded metal piece, the rubber, and usually a clip that holds the rubber in place (see clipless channels below). All of the channels that we sell include a rubber and, if applicable, clips.
ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST DECISIONS TO MAKE is what material you want your squeegee to be. Material is one of the biggest factors in how heavy your squeegee will be and how rigid your channel will be
BRAND SPECIFIC
Some brands such as Ettore and Unger have designed their handles to work better with their poles. The pole tip will have a locking mechanism that fits into the handle, securing it in place. The is a convenient feature, but you should note that these poles will still work with other brands of handles and these handles will still work with other brands of poles
Window Cleaning Made Simple
A clean window literally makes a difference in how you view the world. Here’s how to get them clean in just a few easy steps.
Washing windows doesn’t have to feel intimidating. With the right tools and these tried-and-tested tips, the process is quick and easy, and the payoff-that warm stream of morning sun pouring into your bedroom-totally worth the effort.
To start, gather all of your window-washing tools into one plastic or metal bucket (keep a second bucket on hand to mix cleaning solutions). Dirty panes are no problem when you use rubber-edged squeegees, which are quicker and more effective than cloth or newspaper. They come in a variety of sizes, and a screw-on extension will let you reach high spots.
Martha uses a squeegee and a homemade cleaning solution of water and powdered dishwasher soap to clean her windows. You can also make an all-natural window cleaning solution using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and hot water. Adding a touch of liquid soap to the vinegar solution will help remove any streak-causing wax left on the window from commercial cleaners used in the past. You can eliminate the soap after a few washings. Once your cleaning solution is mixed, read on for the how-to.
For huge picture windows, professionals favor a method called the snake. Starting in an upper corner, pull the squeegee horizontally across the window. At the opposite corner, turn, lower the squeegee to the water line, then pull it across the window. Work your way down and touch up the edges with a cloth. Then, dry windowsills with a cloth.
How Much Does Window Cleaning Cost?
Let’s face it: No one likes to wash windows. And if your house is two stories or taller, making your glass gleam again can be dangerous. That’s why it may be a good idea to hire a professional window cleaner.
Paying by the pane
Window cleaning generally is priced by the number of panes of glass. An ordinary double-hung window consists of two panes. The typical window washing cost runs from $2 to $7 per pane. Alternatively, some companies charge an hourly rate. We report paying an average of $266 for a full house window cleaning, which may include screens and doors.
For best results, it’s generally a good idea to have your windows cleaned twice every year. However, a number of factors, including whether many windows face the ocean, or your house is exposed to frequent storms, can affect how often your windows will need cleaning.
Although window cleaning may seem like a relatively straightforward job, there are variables that can affect the final cost:
How dirty is the glass? Dirtier windows generally require more tools and equipment, not to mention time.
Number of windows — The more that need washing, the more you can expect to pay.
Ease of access — Ladders, special tools and extra time may be required to clean some hard-to-reach windows.
Inside, outside or both? Selecting interior-only or exterior-only service may save you a little money today, but like most services, when you opt for a la carte pricing you pay more per service. If you think you’ll eventually want both, it’s best to get them done at the same time.
There can be extra charges for:
Screen cleaning, at 50 cents to $5 each, and sliding glass doors, which run $2.50 to $8 per door.
Cleaning windowsills and tracks; the cost can range from 50 cents to $5.
Paint or stain removal, which can cost $3.50 to $6 for a window of average size. Mineral deposit removal can cost up to $20 extra per pane if it’s not included in the company’s price.
Going up: The cost of window work on the first and second floors of a home is generally the same, but additional floors can cost up to $3 to $5 more for every window.
So here you are, the construction contractors have moved out, and it’s time to clean. Dust, dirt, chunks of drywall and dirty window seals mount a mighty offensive against your team of cleaners. What can help you take down this task in a safe, professional and efficient way? Here are three tips for post construction cleaning services to help make your project a success!
Safety First
Post construction cleanings are different from other types of cleaning in many ways. One of the biggest differences is they can have hazards not found at a typical client site. For example, power tools, carts, ladders, and lifts may be found on site. You may even have active construction nearby. It’s not hard to imagine how some of these can become a hazard to an unsuspecting cleaner. Thus, just like the construction project, the cleaning job must be completed in a safe manner.
It’s vital to become acquainted with the site before you bring in the entire cleaning crew. Inform your cleaning team about objects and equipment that may have been left behind. Instruct how to deal with them. Feel free to talk to any other contractors you may run into on-site. Chances are they can tell you about specifics you need to look out for.
Supplies and Equipment
Do you have standard vacuums you use at typical office cleaning settings? Well, don’t bring them here! Post construction cleanings can be taxing on equipment. If you bring your office vacuum to a construction cleaning site, it may become hundreds of dollars worth of broken parts and plastic. It’s important to invest in industrial-grade equipment. Large and powerful shop vacs handle chunks of drywall and obnoxious amounts of dust much better than standard equipment. Furthermore, utilize an auto-scrub machine for large floor areas. It can greatly increase productivity.
Use a Phased Approach
In our tips for post construction cleaning discussion – let’s dig into the details of a phased approach. When it comes to phased approach cleaning – what does this really mean? A phased approach is a method of cleaning that takes larger tasks and breaks them down into smaller manageable chunks. Furthermore, no matter how well you clean during the first phases at a construction site, dust will settle, and this dust must be removed for the space to be business-ready. Thus, the only option is to allow time to pass to allow this dust to settle and then be cleaned between phases.
POST CONSTRUCTION CLEANING TIPS
Construction work can be a messy job and the last thing you want to do is to leave your newly completed space looking like it’s still a work in progress. A thorough post construction cleanup is the finishing touch you need to wrap up your project and give it that clean, brand new feeling. But what exactly does post construction cleaning entail? The truth is, cleaning up after any sort of building project or construction work is entirely different from your regular everyday cleaning. Whether you’re dealing with renovated apartment spaces or a newly built commercial office building, post construction cleaning requires certain tools and specific techniques that can be tough to tackle. If you find yourself stressing over all the dust and debris goes hand-in-hand with cleaning after construction, here are some post-construction cleaning tips and tricks to get you started!
Make All Your Surfaces Sparkle
Take a look around any freshly completed construction space and chances are that there’s dust and debris particles over most, if not all, of the surfaces. Countertops, desks, mantles, windowsills and even baseboards all are going to need a full wipe down after any sort of construction project. When you’re ready to actually start cleaning, ditch the old rag and paper towels. Microfiber cloths can’t be beat when it comes to cleaning these messy construction site surfaces because they are designed to attract dust particles. Wipe down all of the surfaces in your site to get rid of dust, and then consider cleaning them again with a disinfectant to make sure your new space is as clean as possible. One last tip before you get to making your construction site surfaces shine: don’t forget about smaller surfaces and other places that collect dust like between blinds, above cupboards and high shelves, and the tops of door frames!
Don’t Forget About Your Floors
All of your construction site floors are going to need a thorough clean before your space is officially ready for business. Dust, dirt and all kinds of messy particles tend to settle and collect on the floor. All hard flooring will need to be swept and all carpeting will need to be vacuumed slowly and maybe even repeatedly to ensure a deep and complete clean. Be sure to use the right techniques and tools, you don’t want to make a bigger mess by moving dust to hard to reach areas or by creating any dust clouds. Go through with a mop after sweeping on hard floors for an added shine, and remember that your floors might need to be cleaned repeatedly if dust continues to settle.
Remember the Small Details
It might be tempting to call your post construction cleaning a wrap once you’ve cleaned all of your surfaces and floors, but there are some other easy-to-forget areas that need to be dealt with first. Take a look at your air vents, they might need to be dusted and vacuumed out to prevent dust from recirculating back into your cleaned space or clogging up your A/C system. Also, take a look at any new features like windows and inside any spaces like cabinets and drawers. They may have collected dust, but also they may have some labels or stubborn adhesives that still need to be removed. Lastly, don’t forget about your electric outlet covers. They can collect dust and need to be carefully wiped down to prevent becoming a safety hazard. Paying attention to these small details might seem like no big deal but it’s a big part of construction cleaning and remembering to handle all of them will make a huge difference in the safety and sparkling appearance of your new space!
Post Construction Cleaning: What to Clean After the Dirty Work is Done
Once a big construction or renovation project is complete, there’s always just as big a mess leftover. Besides the basic cleanup involved of removing large debris and returning tools and equipment, a critical part of post construction cleaning is removing all the dust that was produced. Construction projects generate an immense amount of dust from what lays on the surrounding surfaces to what’s floating in the air. These particulates will embed themselves in all corners of the new building and will make the space appear dull and dingy, as well as negatively affect its indoor air quality.
Wipe Down All Surfaces
This is the first and most obvious part of cleaning after construction. Dust will settle on top of any surface, including the walls. It is best to dry dust to prevent damaging the lacquer or paint of the surface, but a damp cloth can be used if you test a small spot before proceeding. Make sure to check the tops of cabinets, the baseboards by the floor, interior shelves and inside drawers
Vacuum or Clean Carpets and Upholstery
If you conducted a renovation project to an existing building instead of something entirely new, it’s possible that dust or debris crept into other areas of the building. Dust can easily become embedded in the fibers of the carpets and upholstery nearby including furniture, curtains, couch cushions or other fabrics. Vacuum all carpeting or upholstered items thoroughly and as deeply as possible. You may want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner to steam clean the carpets to prevent further damage to the fibers if they experienced a large amount of dust accumulation. Having the upholstery professionally cleaned may also be a good option if it was heavily affected by dirt and debris from the project.
Replace Air Filters
It is more than likely that all the dust and debris floating in the air made its way into the air vents. Replace any air filters exposed to the dust with new ones and clean out the vents with soap and water. This is a very important step as breathing unfiltered air after construction can lead to respiratory problems for the building’s occupants.
Outdoor Pressure Washing
If your construction project involved a brand new building or an outdoor extension to an existing one, you may want to consider pressure washing the exterior walls and sidewalks. This will keep the outside appearance of the building bright and welcoming after its completion.
Post Construction Cleaning Up: Tools, Supplies, and Equipment
Providing post construction clean up services can be demanding and challenging, even for the seasoned cleaning veteran. But providing this type of service can also be rewarding. Construction companies, for the most part, won’t score many points when it comes to cleanliness. That’s why businesses that have undergone new construction or remodeling seek professional cleaning companies to prepare their facilities for occupancy.
Tools, Supplies and Equipment needed
Post construction clean up services requires the appropriate cleaning tools, supplies and equipment in order to provide the customer with the best quality outcome.
This type of cleaning can be tough and exhausting, to say the least. It usually involves long hard hours of demanding physical activity and heavy lifting, all of which require paying close attention to the details. That’s why experience, know how, and a broad selection of the correct tools, supplies and equipment is vital to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible
The post construction cleaning process and completion times can range from a single day to several months, depending on the scope of work. You have probably heard the phrase; “the right tool for the right job”, it’s true when it comes to production and providing quality cleaning.
Following is a list of some of the tools, supplies, and equipment that may be required to perform post construction cleaning efficiently and effectively:
heavy duty trash bags
brooms (preferably both corn broom and push broom)
dust pans
shop vacuum, heavy duty vacuum cleaner and/or back pack vacuum
upholstery cleaning tools
mop bucket and wringer
mop heads
buckets
hoses
scrub brushes and scrub pads
rubber gloves
protective eyewear
dust masks
hard hats
safety signs
microfiber cloths
putty knives
window washing equipment (window bucket, golden glove or strip washer, squeegee, extra rubber blades, scrapers or razor blades, #0000 steel wool, extension poles)
hard floor and carpet maintenance supplies (floor stripper, floor finish, carpet pre-spray’s, detergents, spotters, protectors, rinses, deodorizers)
A Guide For Choosing The Right Construction Cleaning Company
Post construction cleaning is a must when it comes to property development, home renovations or even smaller jobs such as kitchen and bathroom renovations. Though a lot of construction companies try to clean up after they are finished with a project, they are not able to do it to the highest standards mainly because their employees are not qualified to offer cleaning services.
Hiring a construction cleaning service is a necessity for the sake of your home’s aesthetics as well as for the safety of you and your family. Choosing a construction cleaning company however can be a difficult task because of their high number in the market. You should not rush into choosing a construction cleaning company since you could end up making the wrong choice. To help you make the right choice, this article seeks to look at some of the factors that you ought to consider when hiring a construction cleaning company.
Firstly, ensure that you look at the reputation of a company. The right construction cleaning company will be spoken of highly by the people you now as well as by those that give reviews online. Before you settle on a company, ask your friends and family to give you recommendations for the best companies since they cannot lie to you. You can also visit different companies’ websites and look at their previous customers’ reviews so as to know whether or not they offer quality services. If your friends, family and customer reviews concur that a certain company provides high quality services, then you should consider hiring it since chances are high that you will get quality cleaning services.
The second factor that you ought to consider is whether a company is insured or not. Companies that have taken up insurance covers for their employees are the best to work with because the workers are usually in danger of getting hurt when cleaning because of the debris that is left around after construction. Working with an uninsured company may mean that you have to shoulder the medical bills pf all employees who are hurt while cleaning your property. If you want to have peace of mind during the cleaning process, it is best to work with insured workers.
Ask about the services offered by a construction cleaning company before contracting its services. This is so as to avoid hiring companies that only clean interiors if you want something more. Be sure to ask for clarifications where you do not understand a company’s terms so as to avoid paying for services you do not really want. If a company does not offer what you are looking for, you can ask them to customize their service options and if they are not willing to do so, then you can look elsewhere.
What are the different types of House Cleaning Services?
When starting up a cleaning company you need to decide what types of house cleaning services you will offer to your customers. You want to offer services that align with your business model and that are in demand in your area or what your customer wants.
There are two types of customers when cleaning houses: one-time and recurring. One-time customers only want their home cleaned once. Recurring customers want their home cleaned on a regular basis.
One-Time Services
Here are the most commonly offered one-time services for house cleaning:
Regular cleaning
Spring/Deep cleaning
Move-in/move-out cleaning
A regular cleanup goes to be the essential cleanup you supply your customers. can|you’ll|you may} have to be compelled to come back up with a listing of cleanup tasks that you just will perform for every cleanup. you’ll be able to search house cleanup services on google in your space to urge a thought of what they provide.
A spring/deep cleanup is everything enclosed in your regular cleanup with some additional cleanup tasks. Like with the regular cleanup, analysis services in your space to work out what additional tasks you may supply.
A move-in/move-out cleanup is largely a spring cleanup while not piece of furniture. you’d perform identical tasks that you just would for a spring/deep cleanup. There area unit some corporations that provide further tasks like cleanup within the cupboards, icebox, and kitchen appliance enclosed within the move-in/move-out cleanup or supply them as add-ons. It’s up to you whether or not or not you’ll supply these tasks.
Recurring Services
Here are the cleaning frequencies for recurring cleanings:
Weekly
Bi-weekly (every 2 weeks)
Monthly (every 4 weeks)
For recurring customers, you can either offer a regular or spring/deep cleaning for their initial cleaning. After the initial cleaning, you will be performing a regular/maintenance cleaning on a recurring basis.
What Customers Should I Target?
Your goal is to get as many recurring weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly customers as possible. These customers tend to be the most profitable over the long term. A weekly customer will pay you 52 times a year while a bi-weekly customer will pay you 26 times a year. Also, recurring cleanings are a lot easier to clean than one-time cleanings, and you can clean them in a shorter amount of time.
Where to find overlooked clients
Uncommon places that need cleaning services aren’t hard to find as long as you think outside the box. Sure, yellow pages and Google are excellent sources, but nothing beats good old-fashioned networking. Talk to your existing clients, see if they know anyone looking for commercial cleaners.
Use social media to expand your business. Place targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram that showcase your work, or if that’s not in your budget, just use your own social platforms to promote your business. You might be surprised how many clients you pick up that way!
Here are some frequently overlooked places that need cleaning services.
Government buildings.
Schools.
Medical and dental offices.
Restaurants and bars.
Fitness centers.
Retail businesses.
Archiving facilities.
4 Types of Cleaning Agents and When To Use Them
Different cleaning agents are used depending on the item to be cleaned, the cleaning method and the type of soiling found on the item
Different cleaning agents are used depending on the item to be cleaned, the cleaning method and the type of soiling found on the item. There are four main types of cleaning agents used in commercial kitchens:
Detergents
Detergents are the most common type of cleaning agent and are used in home and commercial kitchens. They work by breaking up dirt or soil, making it easy to wash it away.
The detergents used in commercial kitchens are usually synthetic detergents made from petroleum products and may be in the form of powder, liquid, gel or crystals.
Degreasers
Degreasers are sometimes known as solvent cleaners and are used to remove grease from surfaces such as oven tops, counters and grill backsplashes.
Methylated spirits or white spirit were commonly used as degreasers in the past. Most food businesses now try to use non-toxic, non-fuming degreasers in their operations to prevent chemical contamination.
Abrasives
Abrasives are substances or chemicals that depend on rubbing or scrubbing action to clean dirt from hard surfaces. In commercial kitchens, abrasives are usually used to clean floors, pots and pans.
Abrasives should be used with care as they may scratch certain types of materials used for kitchen equipment such as plastic or stainless steel.
Acids
Acid cleaners are the most powerful type of cleaning agent and should be used with care. If they are not diluted correctly, acid cleaners can be very poisonous and corrosive.
Acid cleaners are generally used to remove mineral deposits and are useful for descaling dishwashers or removing rust from restroom facilities.
Cleaning and Disinfection Generally consists of Six Steps
When you need your company to have a new website or if you venture on updating your old webpage with a new look and functionality, the choices are versatile. Assuming that you will go the easy way and choose a theme for your WordPress website, the overall number of characteristics that you will need to keep in mind narrows down significantly.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Cleaning needs to be carried out in two stages. First use a cleaning product to remove visible dirt from surfaces and equipment, and rinse. Then disinfect them using the correct dilution and contact time for the disinfectant, after rinse with fresh clean water if required. During inspections of food businesses, the cleanliness of the structure of food rooms, equipment and utensils is taken into account in assessing hygiene.
To help ensure the safety of your food, it is essential that surfaces and equipment are:
visually clean, and
free from high levels of harmful germs.
Cleaning: this is the removal of visible food debris and grease. It is usually done with hot water and detergent.
Disinfection: this is the reduction of germs to a safe level and is usually done by the use of special chemicals intended for food use, or by heat (hot water at around 82°C in a dishwasher or second sink).
Detergent: a chemical used in cleaning to remove food debris and grease.
Cleaning and disinfection generally consists of six steps:
Pre-clean – remove excess food waste by sweeping, wiping or pre-rinsing
Main clean – loosen surface waste and grease using a detergent.
Rinse – remove loose food waste, grease and detergent.
Disinfection – kill the bacteria with disinfectant or heat.
A housekeeper’s world is a dangerous world! There are all sorts of nasty microbes that need to be eradicated from the property as it is cleaned. Having the most effective cleaning products is imperative to the effectiveness and speed of the cleaning professional. When choosing cleaning products
NO RINSING REQUIRED
The products should only need to be wiped off the surface. A product that needs to be rinsed off before the surface is dried takes extra housekeeper time
DWELL TIME
The product should be doing all the “heavy lifting” so to speak. As the product is sitting on the surface, it should be breaking down the soap scum, hard water deposits, and oils. There should be very little elbow grease required from the cleaning professional.
DEADLY TO MICROBES
Not all cleaning products kill all microbes or kill them quickly. Some products can take up to 10 minutes to kill Staph, which is unacceptable! When evaluating a product, ask for a list of microbes the product kills and how long it takes to kill them. The product should kill the microbes in a short dwell time, if not instantly.
SUSTAINABLE
The product must be sustainable. Many natural cleaners are not effective at killing microbes and breaking down soap scum and body oils.
How to Choose a Holiday Let Cleaner
Why investing in cleaning is so important
We don’t think it’ll shock you to read that the cleanliness and tidiness of your holiday rental can be the difference between a great review and a complaint. Some of the most common negative reviews of holiday home and Airbnb rentals are due to the guest’s dissatisfaction with the standard of cleaning.
reasons to outsource your Airbnb cleaning
Although you could clean the property yourself, have complete control over everything, cut down on management costs and increase your profit, but what you save in money you pay for in time. Time which you could be spent more productively growing and managing your holiday rental business or with family.
How to find the right cleaning service
If you don’t want to handle the cleaning yourself or you don’t live near your holiday let, it’s essential to have a trusted housekeeper to keep your holiday rental sparkling and spotless. You want to source a professional cleaning partner to use for the long-term.
What makes a good cleaner…
They should be experienced in short-term rental turnovers and provide a higher level of service than typical house cleaning. Guests expect the highest level of cleanliness and attention to detail – the equivalent of a 5* hotel.
They check supplies are restocked, everything is working and that any leftover food is removed from the refrigerator and cupboards.
They spot missing items and damage so you’ll know who is responsible and can take swift action.
They have a good eye for detail and follow a checklist to ensure that the property is staged consistently – e.g. setting up the welcome hamper with a welcoming note and leaving certain lights on for arrivals.
They are proactive at spotting maintenance problems or if items require a deep clean.
They understand the letting business and can adapt swiftly at short notice e.g. prepare for a last-minute booking or guests may want an early check-in/late check-out.
They are on hand in emergencies e.g. the guests lock themselves out or leave behind the child’s favourite teddy.
They have backup cleaners on standby for an unexpected illness and holidays who will provide the same attention to detail.
They are fully insured.
How much do Airbnb holiday let cleaners charge?
Obviously hiring a professional cleaner is going to be more expensive than cleaning yourself, but paying for a premium service tends to be worth it. The cost of cleaning services will depend on a few different factors. Your location might be an aspect which influences the cost, but undoubtedly one thing which will help dictate pricing is your property size. It can take 3-4 hours to clean a 2-bed property and can expect to pay per hour (or even more) to receive the excellent standards of service you need.
HOUSE CLEANING AND WHAT WE ARE DOING AND HAVE ALWAYS DONE
Cleanliness has always been a top priority. We take pride in welcoming each guest with a clean and safe home away from home. TVR is a longstanding member of the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals Association (VRHP), and our team is committed to following the best practices and proven cleaning protocols at all times for the safety of our guests and our employees
SANITIZATION AND DISINFECTION
Our Housekeeping Team members have been properly trained to clean our vacation rentals. We provide ongoing training on the proper use of approved chemicals and cleaning materials. We thoroughly research all products and chemicals to ensure that we clean our properties to the highest standard. Before guest arrival, our team will sanitize and disinfect all areas, including bathrooms and “high-touch” points in the property
high-touch points in your property include, but are not limited to:
Light switches, outlets, lamp and fan pull-chains and switches
Cabinet pulls and knobs
Controls for large appliance and electronics (washer and dryer, dishwasher, stove)
Temperature controls
Bureau drawer knobs or pulls
Remote controls
Stair railings and outdoor porch railings
The disinfectants and sanitizers our housekeeping team uses can help contain and prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses, per the EPA/CDC/OSHA. Linens and towels are laundered offsite at our linen facility; soiled linens are treated as if they are contaminated. Our trained housekeeping staff uses the best hygiene practices at all times. With the combinations of these best practices, our employees, clients, and guests should be safe from the spread of coronavirus
VACATION RENTALS CLEANING
COMMUNICATION
support by e-mail, phone, and text. Owner’s ability to book and manage appointments online. Visual inspection for any damages and reporting all abnormalities to the owners immediately, with photos. Connection to a network of reputable providers via Berkshire Hathaway Home Benefits Program to arrange for any emergency repairs or service.
SERVICE
Highly-trained expert cleaners, with many years of experience in five-star hotels and private maid companies. Impeccable cleaning. Monitoring and replenishing supplies, minor repairs. Complimentary axillary services such as laundry, appliances cleaning, patio sweeping, etc.
AVAILABILITY
Last-minute availability and flexible scheduling. Superb Maids is specifically structured to accommodate last-minute vacation rentals’ cleaning requests. Reputation for utmost reliability and customer-centric approach. The same staff is assigned to each property
Ways to Increase Vacation Rental Bookings and Profits
VACATION RENTAL MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT, EXPLAINED
If you’ve recently forayed into the world of vacation rentals, you’re likely riding a wave of excitement–and revenue. In 2019, the vacation rental market in the US saw revenues of more than $17.5B, marking an increase of nearly 3% from the previous year. By 2023, revenue could grow to nearly $19.5B. Homeowners are increasingly seeing the benefits of vacation rentals and making money in the industry, and there are more than 660,000 U.S. vacation home listings on Airbnb alone.
Guests are continuing to move away from hotels and into vacation rentals, too. After years of wondering, many reports suggest this year—2020—could be the year when vacation rental bookings actually overtake hotel bookings. We’re also seeing an enormous shift in how guests are finding vacation rentals, by eschewing sites like HomeAway and Airbnb and choosing to book directly with the property manager. It’s a great time to be a part of it all.
But this meteoric growth is a double-edged sword. More vacation rentals means more competition, and if you can’t keep up with the amenities, offerings, and experiences guests are looking for, you can expect your piece of the pie to crumble. This is especially true as online travel agencies continue to grow and change. As of June 2019, Mariott and Airbnb have both released new luxury vacation rental wings of their business (We’re honored that Airbnb’s new platform, Airbnb Luxe, chose seven of our homes to participate, and that Marriott also chose to list our homes on the Homes and Villas vacation rental segment), suggesting the travel trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Be straightforward and accurate in your description
Guests value trust and transparency. If there’s construction across the street from your home, don’t gloss over this. You’ll only pay for it later when a guest leaves a review with incendiary words and phrases like “deceitful” and “they didn’t tell me about …”
Keep your description updated
Don’t take a set-it-and-forget-it approach to your home’s listing. It should be a living piece of copy that you update regularly
