Cleaning airbnb Cottage in Cape Town
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As a long-time Airbnb host and local cleaning expert here in Cape Town, I know that keeping your Cottage spotless is essential for ensuring a five-star guest experience. Over the years, I've developed this comprehensive cleaning checklist specifically tailored for Airbnb hosts, based on what works best for properties in Cape Town.
This checklist covers everything you need to maintain a welcoming and hygienic space:
- Daily Essentials: Take care of the most important tasks every day to keep your Airbnb looking fresh and ready for guests.
- Weekly & Monthly Deep Cleaning: Follow a schedule for deeper cleaning, ensuring that every corner of your Cottage remains in top condition.
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Alternatives: Use sustainable products and methods to maintain high cleaning standards while being mindful of the environment.
- Safety Precautions: Protect yourself and your guests by following important safety guidelines during the cleaning process.
This checklist is designed to help you stay ahead in the competitive Airbnb market by keeping your Cottage spotless and ensuring guests have an exceptional stay in Cape Town. Follow these steps, and your property will always be in pristine condition, earning rave reviews from your guests.
1. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Attic
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Sweep and vacuum the attic floor to remove dust, dirt, and debris. | Vacuum cleaner, broom, dustpan | Reusable microfiber cloths | Monthly | 1 hour | Medium | Ensure proper ventilation while cleaning to avoid inhaling dust particles. | Use a HEPA filter vacuum to capture fine dust particles. |
| Lighting | Dust light fixtures, replace any burnt-out bulbs, and ensure proper functioning. | Microfiber cloth, light bulbs | LED light bulbs | Quarterly | 1 hour | Medium | Turn off electricity before replacing bulbs to prevent shocks. | Use a damp cloth to clean light fixtures to avoid static buildup. |
| General | Remove all items from the attic and place them in designated storage areas. | Storage bins or boxes | Recycled cardboard boxes | Quarterly | 2 hours | High | Wear gloves and a mask to protect against dust and allergens. | Label storage bins for easy identification of items. |
| Windows | Clean attic windows inside and out to remove dirt, grime, and cobwebs. | Glass cleaner, microfiber cloth, squeegee | Vinegar and water solution | Bi-annually | 1.5 hours | Medium | Use a sturdy ladder and have someone assist if necessary. | Clean windows on a cloudy day to prevent streaks from drying too quickly. |
| Insulation | Check insulation for signs of damage or wear, and replace if necessary. | Insulation material | Recycled denim insulation | Bi-annually | 2 hours | High | Wear protective gear when handling insulation materials. | Seal any gaps or cracks in insulation to improve energy efficiency. |
| Ventilation | Inspect attic vents for blockages and ensure proper airflow. | Vent brush, vacuum cleaner | DIY vinegar and baking soda solution | Annually | 1.5 hours | Medium | Use a mask to avoid inhaling dust and debris while cleaning vents. | Install vent covers to prevent debris buildup in the future. |
| Storage | Organize storage shelves and cabinets, decluttering and arranging items neatly. | Storage bins, labels, shelving units | Upcycled containers, bamboo shelves | Annually | 2 hours | High | Avoid overloading shelves to prevent collapsing. | Use clear containers for easy visibility of stored items. |
2. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Bathroom
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sink And Countertop | Wipe down the sink, faucet, and countertop with a mild cleaner to remove toothpaste stains and water spots. | All-purpose cleaner | Citrus-based cleaner | Daily | 10 minutes | High | Avoid using abrasive cleaners on delicate surfaces like marble. | Keep a microfiber cloth handy to quickly wipe down surfaces after each use. |
| Mirrors | Clean mirrors with a glass cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar for a streak-free shine. | Glass cleaner | Water and vinegar solution | Weekly | 10 minutes | Medium | Avoid using abrasive materials that can scratch the mirror surface. | Use a microfiber cloth for a lint-free finish. |
| Toilet | Scrub the toilet bowl, seat, and exterior surfaces with a toilet brush and disinfectant. | Toilet bowl cleaner | Baking soda and vinegar | Weekly | 15 minutes | High | Use gloves and ensure proper ventilation when using chemical cleaners. | Add a few drops of essential oil to the toilet brush holder for a fresh scent. |
| Shower | Clean shower walls and doors with a non-abrasive cleaner, paying attention to soap scum and mildew buildup. | Bathroom cleaner with bleach | Vinegar and water solution | Weekly | 20 minutes | High | Wear gloves and ensure good ventilation while using bleach-based products. | Use a squeegee after each shower to prevent water spots and reduce cleaning frequency. |
| Floor | Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dust and debris, then mop with a floor cleaner to sanitize and remove stains. | Floor cleaner | Homemade floor cleaner with essential oils | Weekly | 30 minutes | High | Use caution when mopping to avoid slips and falls. | Place a bath mat outside the shower to reduce water tracking on the floor. |
| Ventilation | Check and clean bathroom vents to ensure proper airflow and prevent dust buildup. | Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment | Microfiber cloth and natural cleaner | Monthly | 15 minutes | Medium | Turn off the power to the vent before cleaning to avoid accidents. | Regularly change or clean the vent filter to maintain optimal air quality. |
| Storage Spaces | Organize bathroom cabinets and drawers, discard expired products, and wipe down surfaces. | Organizing bins and drawer dividers | Repurposed containers and baskets | Quarterly | 30 minutes | Medium | Use caution when handling sharp objects or expired products. | Label containers to easily identify items and maintain organization. |
3. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Bedroom
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | Dust and polish all bedroom furniture including nightstands, dressers, and chairs. | Microfiber cloth and furniture polish | Vinegar and water solution for dusting | Weekly | 20 minutes | Medium | Avoid using abrasive cleaners on wooden surfaces. | Use a toothbrush to clean intricate details on furniture. |
| Mattress | Vacuum mattress surface to remove dust and debris. | Mattress vacuum attachment | Baking soda for deodorizing | Monthly | 10 minutes | Medium | Ensure the vacuum cleaner is properly cleaned before use. | Spot clean any stains on the mattress with a mild detergent solution. |
| Light Fixtures | Dust and clean bedroom light fixtures including lamps and ceiling lights. | Microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner | Vinegar and water solution for dusting | Monthly | 15 minutes | Medium | Ensure lights are turned off and cool before cleaning. | Replace any burnt-out light bulbs for a well-lit room. |
| Windows | Clean bedroom windows inside and out for a clear view. | Glass cleaner and microfiber cloth | Vinegar and water solution for cleaning | Monthly | 20 minutes | Medium | Use a sturdy ladder if needed for high windows. | Wipe window sills and tracks to remove accumulated dirt. |
| Bed | Strip off all bedding including sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover. | Mild laundry detergent | Eco-friendly laundry detergent | After every guest checkout | 15 minutes | High | Use gloves when handling dirty linens. | Rotate and air out mattresses regularly to prevent moisture buildup. |
| Floor | Vacuum or mop the bedroom floor to remove dust, dirt, and hair. | Vacuum cleaner or mop | Microfiber mop for dry dusting | After every guest checkout | 15 minutes | High | Use caution when moving furniture to avoid injury. | Use a steam cleaner for deep cleaning carpets and rugs. |
| Closet | Organize closet, fold clothes, and remove any items left behind by guests. | Closet organizer bins | Reuse old shoeboxes for storage | After every guest checkout | 30 minutes | High | Check for any sharp objects before organizing. | Label storage bins for easy identification of items. |
4. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Kitchen
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Countertops | Wipe down all kitchen countertops with a disinfectant spray or multi-purpose cleaner. | Disinfectant spray or multi-purpose cleaner | Vinegar and water solution | After each guest checkout | 10 minutes | High | Wear gloves to protect hands from cleaning chemicals. | Use a microfiber cloth for streak-free cleaning. |
| Utensils And Cutlery | Check all utensils and cutlery for cleanliness and replace if needed. | Dish soap, sponge | Biodegradable dish soap, plant-based sponge | After each guest checkout | 10 minutes | Medium | Check for sharp edges on utensils. | Use a dish brush to scrub and clean utensils thoroughly. |
| Kitchen Sink | Clean and sanitize the kitchen sink, including the faucet and drain. | Baking soda and vinegar for scrubbing, disinfectant spray | Baking soda and vinegar | After each guest checkout | 15 minutes | High | Avoid mixing baking soda and vinegar with other cleaning products. | Use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas around the faucet. |
| Dishwashing | Wash, dry, and put away all dishes, utensils, and glassware. | Dish soap, dish drying rack | Biodegradable dish soap, air-dry dishes instead of using a drying rack | After each guest checkout | 20 minutes | High | Handle knives and sharp objects with care. | Soak heavily soiled dishes before washing for easier cleaning. |
| Appliances (stove, Oven, Microwave, Fridge) | Clean the stove, oven, microwave, and fridge inside and out. | Appliance-specific cleaners, stainless steel polish | Vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, lemon juice for stainless steel | Weekly | 30 minutes | High | Unplug appliances before cleaning, use gloves when handling chemicals. | Remove and clean stove burner grates and drip pans for thorough cleaning. |
| Storage Spaces | Organize and clean kitchen cabinets, drawers, and pantry shelves. | Organizing bins, shelf liners | Reuse glass jars for storage, fabric drawer liners | Monthly | 30 minutes | Medium | Watch out for sharp edges or corners in storage spaces. | Label containers and jars for easy identification of stored items. |
| Sponges | Replace kitchen sponges with new ones to prevent bacterial buildup. | Pack of new sponges | Eco-friendly cellulose sponges | Monthly | 5 minutes | Medium | Dispose of old sponges properly. | Microwave damp sponges for 1-2 minutes to kill bacteria before disposal. |
| Less Obvious Areas (vents, Under Furniture, Behind Electronics) | Dust and vacuum less obvious areas like vents, under furniture, and behind electronics. | Microfiber cloth, vacuum cleaner with attachments | Microfiber cloth, natural dusting spray | Quarterly | 45 minutes | Low | Unplug electronics before cleaning behind them. | Use a can of compressed air to clean dust from vents and tight spaces. |
5. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Living Room
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | Dust all surfaces of the coffee table, side tables, and TV stand. | Microfiber cloth | Reusable cloth made from natural fibers | Weekly | 10 minutes | Medium | Watch out for fragile items on the surfaces. | Use a small brush or cotton swab to clean intricate details. |
| Flooring | Vacuum or sweep the floor, including under furniture and rugs. | Vacuum cleaner or broom | Manual carpet sweeper | Weekly | 15 minutes | High | Move furniture carefully to avoid scratching the floor. | Use a crevice tool to clean along baseboards and corners. |
| Decor | Dust and clean decorative items like picture frames, vases, and ornaments. | Feather duster or soft cloth | Microfiber cloth | Bi-weekly | 10 minutes | Low | Handle fragile items with care. | Rotate decorative items regularly to prevent dust buildup. |
| Electronics | Dust and wipe down electronics such as the TV, speakers, and remote controls. | Electronics cleaning wipes | Microfiber cloth dampened with water | Monthly | 15 minutes | Medium | Unplug electronics before cleaning. | Use a can of compressed air to clean vents and crevices. |
| Windows | Clean windows and window sills inside and out. | Glass cleaner and microfiber cloth | Vinegar solution and reusable cloth | Monthly | 20 minutes | Medium | Use a sturdy ladder if necessary. | Wipe windows in a zigzag motion to avoid streaks. |
| Curtains | Vacuum or wash curtains according to care instructions. | Vacuum cleaner or washing machine | Air out curtains in sunlight | Quarterly | 30 minutes | Low | Check fabric type before washing. | Use a lint roller to remove dust and pet hair between washes. |
