We love being BNB Hosts at BNB In Style. As a Airbnb Short Term Accommodation Management company we aim to excel in what we do and provide leadership to our colleagues.
2020 has indeed bought some additional challenges to the Airbnb Short term accommodation workplace. With the global pandemic of Covid- 19 having significant impacts, strategies to ensure reduction of cross contamination and enhanced cleaning protocols needed to be investigated and adopted in our accommodation space.
Exemplary Cleaning Standards for Airbnb properties has always been an important factor in gaining excellent guest reviews and return custom but in these days of high risk of infection transmission with Covid-19 it is even more important and imperative to ensure all responsible activities have been undertaken to protect our guests and also our support staff such as cleaners in our property environments. Enhanced Cleaning Protocols and Guidance for Hosts were initially adhoc and sparse in nature primarily due to the unknown and uncertain qualities of Covid – 19 infection habits and replication patterns. As we have progressed through the Covid-19 Pandemic scientists have gained more insight into the virus and are better able to provide clarity of information to minimise transmission across different industries. Information has now been formulated and distributed to assist hosts and cleaners to prepare our properties to the safest sanitised level to give reassurance to our guests that optimal efforts have been undertaken to minimise cross contamination. Airbnb and other On Line Booking Platforms have developed Host Guidelines which set out appropriate cleaning processes and techniques.
COVID -19 Exposure
COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person can acquire the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes.
A key way you can protect workers and others from the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is by implementing appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures for your accommodation.
A combination of cleaning and disinfection will be most effective in removing the COVID-19 virus.
Cleaning is Different to Disinfecting
Cleaning the environment is one thing but not enough to eliminate and reduce the risk of the Covid-19 virus being spread within the property. The word Sanitise has risen to the forefront of Airbnb operators minds of late. Sanitising/disinfection are the new buzz words on the block for most businesses.
It is recommended a gap period be instigated between the guest departing and the host or cleaner entering the property. A minimum of 3 hours is suggested however keeping the property empty for 24 hours before entry is preferable. A gap of 72 hours for health worker ? Covid positive case is advised.This requires the Host to block the departure day and adjust their calendar accordingly on the booking sites.
If instigating the shortened timeframe it is important to be aware the enhanced cleaning required for a Covid Clean means that potentially late checkout and early checkin may not be able to be offered to your guests.
An overall clean of the property is required to remove dirt, grime and soap scum, before the sanitising process can be commenced. For initial cleaning use detergent solution or wipes for general surfaces and mops. Disinfect surfaces AFTER cleaning as disinfectant does not work as well on soiled or dirty surfaces (as per Australian Department of Health guidelines).
Attention to high touch points such as light switches, taps, keys, Lockbox, door handles, window latches, bedside lamps switches, cupboard doors, air conditioner/ fan controllers and switches, refrigerator handles and doors, garage remote, high chair, crib and railings.If using bulk shampoo and conditioner dispensers etc wipe bottles over with disinfecting solution.
Minimally touched surfaces e.g floors, walls, ceilings, window, curtains & blinds -clean when visibly dusty or dirty & straight after any spills.
Regularly change window curtains.
Systematic Cleaning/ Sanitising Process
- Upon entry to the property open all windows and doors to promote air flow
- Turn off all air conditioners and fans (if undertaking regime of requesting guest turn these items on upon departure *)
- Don Mask and Gloves (wash hands with soap and water prior, use Hand Sanitiser with at least 60% Alcoholic Solution if not possible to wash hands )
- Gather cleaning and disinfecting supplies
- Commence by striping beds, DO NOT shake the linen or disturb the air (place in appropriate laundry bags)
- Remove all rubbish and laundry from the working area
- Work room by room (important to not transition from dirty area to clean area and vice versa)
- Focus on frequently touched surfaces
- Use one disinfectant wipe per surface (don’t contaminate surfaces by using the same cloth on all surfaces)
- Use a HEPA filter Vacuum
- Empty the vacuum cleaner after every cleaning, disinfect and dispose of contents appropriately
- Disinfect the washing machine, dryer, iron and dishwasher
- Clean all kitchen items
- Removal of gloves at the end of the clean – (inside /out)
- Dispose of gloves in correct manner, wash or sanitise hands prior to leaving the property
General Guidelines
- Clean then disinfect
- Covid-19 is a VIRUS and as such antibacterial products are not effective
- Covid Virus survive up to 3 days on hard metal surfaces & plastic & up to 24 hours on cardboard. It is unclear how long the virus remains patent on soft materials such as soft furnishings
- Use disposable clothes or paper towel
- Gloves should be disposed after each cleaning. Do NOT use ‘dirty’ gloves to clean new area i.e 1 pair of gloves for handling bed linen/ towels, change for cleaning and change again for sanitising
- Do not handle clean linen with ‘dirty’ gloves
- Avoid touching face whilst cleaning and don’t keep adjusting face mask to reduce spread
- Once a Mask is moist it is no longer effective, be mindful of how you remove the mask to reduce spreading viral particles
- Work in one area before moving to the next.
- When room is completed close the door to act as a reminder not to re-enter
- Dispose of gloves and masks appropriately to avoid cross contamination
- If 2 or more persons such as cleaners are required to be in the property simultaneously appropriate social distancing should be practised
Covid Clean for non positive and positive guests
Is it safe to clean? Cleaning staff should avoid close contact with guests who have self-isolated. They should wear gloves while cleaning, and use alcohol hand rub before and after wearing gloves. As an added precaution, cleaning staff should wear a surgical mask while cleaning the room. Before entering the room, cleaning staff may inquire if people are well, and ask them to put on a surgical mask.
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/04/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-hotels-and-hotel-staff-coronavirus-covid-19–information-for-hotels-and-hotel-staff_0.pdf
Preferably a mid stay clean should be avoided. Consider supplying clean linens and towels for the guests to undertake own bed changes.
Not all Disinfectants are the same
Even though there is a wide variety of cleaning and sanistising products available on the market, not all products are created equal. Appropriate Covid level sanitising products are available from distributors and should be procured and used in the disinfecting process within your short term rental accommodation. Approved and tested Covid level Disinfecting /Sanitising products can be identified on the Australian Therapeutics Goods Administration website.
https://www.tga.gov.au/disinfectants-use-against-covid-19-artg-legal-supply-australia
Be aware all products have an optimal ‘dwell’ time for the most effective sanitising. Check the product standard that you are using to ensure optimal effect.The packaging or manufacturer’s instructions will outline the correct way to use the disinfectant. Disinfectants require time to be effective at killing viruses. If no time is specified, the disinfectant should be left for ten minutes before removing (Therapeutics Goods Administration).
Therapeutics Goods Administration have provided a guide for cleaning different surfaces (link below)
Further workplace cleaning information has been provided in a question and answer format by Therapeutics Goods Administration (link below).
New Standards for Short Term Rental Accommodation
Our BNB In Style guests expect and receive tip top cleanliness in our properties as our guest reviews will attest. With the Covid-19 Pandemic HeaIth implications it is imperative Airbnb operators understand and acknowledge the new level of cleanliness and sanitisation that is now required to safely operate in a Airbnb short term rental accommodation space. Ensuring as hosts we understand the heightened cleanliness requirements, as employers for our support staff we act as educators and mentors and as business operators we ensure our properties are safe for our guests and encourage our guests to maintain the socially accepted prevention techniques of social distancing, washing hands and sanitising and self monitoring and reporting any Covid like symptoms before arrival, during their stay or after to promote community safety. As part of this process of Covid safe behaviour we as Short Term Rental Hosts need to ensure appropriate cleaning/ sanitising products are available for guest use whilst in the property e.g. Hand Soap, Hand Sanitiser, Disinfectant cleaning products.
Some On Line Booking companies have suggested providing facemasks for guests, a sign off sheet for all cleans identifying specifics of disinfection undertaken by the cleaner and left in the home for the guest verification and confidence.
In addition every guest should be on the guest register with contact details in case Covid-19 Health tracing is required post stay.
Things to Consider
- Contactless check in / check out processes- lock box entry or key code where key exchanges or meet and greet unnecessary.
- Not recommended -Triple sheeting (as this potentially exposes the bare doona/quilt)
- Consider Doona protector
- Request guests to strip beds and place items in laundry bags
- Do not visit property whilst guest in attendance unless there is a need to e.g neighbour complaints, urgent maintenance work
- If urgent repairs required arrange for guest to have vacated property (maintain appropriate social distancing & hand and equipment sanitising )
- Schedule maintenance or repairs outside of guest stay
- As more is known about Covid-19 and its impacts keep up to date with the latest information and cleaning/ sanitising techniques and alter practices accordingly (monitor Airlines/ Large Hotel Chains practices which may be useful to implement)
Reassure Guests of enhanced cleaning procedures
Guest reassurance is imperative to allay concerns and promote stays. it is recommended Hosts assure guests of their enhanced cleaning protocols in the property listing. ” Our property will be thoroughly and comprehensively cleaned and sanitised between every booking especially high traffic touch points, following government guidelines. We use the same disinfectants that are used to scrub down hospital beds on Covid Hospital Wards for maximum effectiveness”, ” all bedding and towels are professionally washed offsite by a local company with an excellent reputation”, “ensuring rooms are sparkling clean is in our nature, all touchable surfaces wiped squeaky clean and sanitised as you’d only expect” are examples of reassuring wording that could be utilised if this meets your cleaning criteria. ” We want to give all our guests as much peace of mind as we can in uncertain times.
Cleaning protocols have been introduced by booking companies/ channels. Booking Companies have developed a recognition icon which identifies hosts who have undertaken education and have committed to the sites cleaning protocol recommendations. This will be displayed on your listing for guests awareness.
Initially information specifically for the Short Term Rental Accommodation space pertaining to correct cleaning and sanitising procedure was negligible. Therefore, gaining a clear guide regarding specific cleaning and disinfecting regimes in practical terms was difficult and needed to be pulled together from a number of sources. On Line Travel sites have been developing protocols guided by government agencies around the world and are now distributing them to hosts for use. Short term rental operators need to familarise themselves with the processes and ensure they are compliant with providing as safe an environment for their guests and workers as feasible and reducing the risk of Covid-19 cross contamination.
* Requesting guest turn on all fans and air conditioners upon departure of the property is aligning with the principle of circulating air borne microbes and allowing them to settle on surfaces while the property is unoccupied.