Keeping vacation rentals clean and sanitary is essential to guest satisfaction. With high guest turnover, the cleanliness of the property directly impacts reviews, future bookings, and even guest safety. Guests expect a pristine, sanitized space, and attention to high-touch areas can make the difference between a positive or negative review. These surfaces, which experience the most contact, can harbor germs, dust, and grime if not cleaned thoroughly and frequently.
All this can be easy enough if you’re lucky enough to have a reliable team of San Francisco, CA vacation rental cleaners at your beck and call. But what to do if you don’t? Don’t worry, in today’s article, we’ll show you how by focusing on sanitizing high-touch areas, you can ensure a safer, more comfortable experience for guests, ultimately boosting your rental’s reputation.
How to sanitize high-touch surfaces?
Maintaining a vacation rental goes beyond surface-level cleaning. To make a lasting impression on guests and meet high expectations, it’s essential to prioritize high-touch areas. Here’s a step-by-step approach to effectively sanitize these surfaces, ensuring they meet the highest standards for each new guest.
1. Identify high-touch areas
High-touch surfaces are those areas that guests frequently interact with, such as doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, faucets, cabinet handles, and appliance buttons. Additionally, consider lesser-known high-touch spots like thermostats, alarm clocks, bedside tables, and stair railings. By identifying these areas, owners can target the places most prone to accumulating germs and dirt. Taking the time to sanitize these spots demonstrates attention to detail and care for the guest experience.
2. Use EPA-approved disinfectants
Not all cleaning products are equally effective at sanitizing high-touch areas. For best results, choose disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are specifically rated to eliminate viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. These disinfectants are safe and effective for the surfaces they are designed for and have a clear usage guide for maximum efficacy. Always check product instructions for the required contact time, as some surfaces need to stay wet for a specific period to ensure proper disinfection.
3. Clean first, then disinfect
For disinfection to be effective, the surface should first be free of dirt and dust. Begin by wiping down high-touch areas with a general cleaner to remove visible dirt, grease, or grime. After cleaning, apply the disinfectant and let it sit for the time specified on the label. This step ensures the area is properly sanitized. Guests notice the cleanliness of high-touch areas, and starting with a clean base ensures no dust or grime gets overlooked during disinfection.
4. Sanitize soft surfaces
Soft surfaces like couch cushions, throw pillows, and bedding are also essential to the guest experience. While these aren’t always classified as high-touch areas, they can accumulate germs just as easily. Use disinfecting sprays specifically designed for fabrics or machine-wash items on the highest setting allowed. Make sure to sanitize throw pillows, blankets, and other soft furnishings that guests frequently touch, adding to the overall cleanliness and comfort of the space.
5. Don’t forget the bathroom & kitchen
Bathrooms and kitchens are often the most scrutinized areas in a vacation rental and require special attention. Ensure faucets, shower handles, toilet flush levers, appliance handles, and drawer pulls are properly sanitized. In the kitchen, focus on countertops, appliance buttons, and utensils that may be handled by multiple guests. By thoroughly cleaning these spaces, guests can feel assured that their health and well-being are prioritized.
6. Focus on electronics & remote controls
Electronics and remote controls are frequently touched but can be easy to overlook. Use a disinfectant wipe on remotes, buttons, and screens, being careful not to oversaturate them to avoid damage. For remote controls, consider placing them in disposable plastic sleeves between each guest stay; these can be easily cleaned or replaced, making it easy to maintain sanitation and provide a polished touch.
Who are the leading San Francisco, CA vacation rental cleaners near me?
Whether you’re located in Haight-Ashbury or closer to the shoreline, Adriana’s House Cleaning is your trusted partner in all things residential sanitation. We’ve been ahead of the curve for more than 20 years with efficient and consistent cleaning solutions and honest and dependable professionals who’ll stop at nothing to ensure that your rental space shines in its best light.
From deep cleaning that ensures no corner is overlooked and leaves a dazzling first impression to a complete guide to high-quality rental cleaning tools and an attentive support team that will always heed your call, we’re here to help you learn more about the process and answer any question that’s troubling you. Just give us a quick call and we’ll come to scrub, wipe, and clean so you can impress every guest that comes through your door. Reach out today!