How We Clean and Disinfect Every Property

Hosts and homeowners rarely see the clean itself – they see the result. So it’s worth setting out exactly what our cleaners do in a property, and why. This is the standard we hold every job to, whether it’s a short-let changeover or a domestic clean.

Before we start

• We open up and ventilate. Windows and doors are opened before the clean begins and fresh air is allowed to circulate for at least 20 minutes. Where possible we leave windows open throughout.
• We wash our hands before and after every property – soap and water, at least 20 seconds.
• Protective equipment is worn and replaced between properties. Gloves are disposed of after each clean, not carried between jobs.

Clean first, then disinfect

This is the part most people get the wrong way round. Disinfectant sprayed onto a dirty surface does very little – it needs a clean surface to work on.

So we clean first, using detergent and water to lift dirt, grease and dust. Only then do we disinfect: spray, leave it to stand for the contact time the product requires, then wipe with kitchen paper or a disposable cloth. Skipping the dwell time is the most common mistake in cleaning, and it makes the disinfectant close to useless.

Touch points get particular attention

The surfaces that matter most are the ones everybody puts their hands on, and they are routinely missed: light switches, door handles, remote controls, tap handles, kettle handles, fridge doors, and the inside of cupboard doors. These are on our checklist for every property, every time.

Soft furnishings and porous surfaces

Sofas, rugs, curtains and other soft surfaces need a different approach. We remove visible dirt first, then treat them with cleaners appropriate to the fabric. Anything machine-washable is washed to the manufacturer’s instructions. Getting this wrong damages furnishings, so fabric type dictates the method rather than the other way around.

Linen

Our linen partner washes everything at the highest temperature the manufacturer recommends – bed sheets, mattress protectors, hand and bath towels, tea towels and blankets. Dirty laundry is handled with gloves and never shaken out, which just puts everything airborne. Laundry baskets and hampers are cleaned as well, and lined wherever possible.

For short-let properties we supply and rotate linen so a changeover never waits on a wash cycle. See our Airbnb linen hire and laundry in London.

Equipment

Vacuum cleaners are emptied after every property and wiped down, along with appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Reusable cloths go through a hot machine wash between jobs. Disposables leave with the cleaner along with the rubbish, rather than sitting in the bin for the next guest to find.

For short-let hosts specifically

• Bins are lined, so waste can be dealt with quickly between guests.
• When we restock consumables we check expiry dates rather than simply topping up.
• Anything we find damaged or missing is reported to you the same day, with photographs.

Why the method matters

In a short-let, cleanliness is the single thing guests comment on most and the fastest way to lose a rating. A property that has been cleaned to a consistent, documented standard reads as cared for the moment somebody walks in – and that shows up in reviews.

See our Airbnb cleaning service in London, or talk to us about your property.