Familiarity may breed contempt, but it can also breed tardy cleaning habits — and resultantly, disgruntled guests. All those things we easily overlook — the fingerprints on the walls, grime in odd places, the dirt you never noticed until Somebody Else Does — can come back to haunt us. So while it’s normal to except a certain level of imperfection, sadly, it’s also normal for small cleaning issues to be a giant turnoff for guests. Here are eight items that no guest ever wants to see dirty.
- Bathroom taps
Scrub the base of your bathroom taps and faucet, and you’ll be surprised at the amount of mould that comes away. What’s more, if you have hard water, it can cake onto the faucet and create a yellow stain. The result? Far worse than you’d like to admit. To remove both these stains, a bathroom tile cleaner and scrubbing brush are all you need.
- Backs (and legs) of dining chairs
Anything in the dining area is subject to food stains, and dining room chairs are no exception. Check the back of your dining room chairs, and while you’re there, get on your knees and inspect the legs. You’ll undoubtedly see pasta sauce, chocolate or even tired coffee splashes settling in for the loong-term. At the least, you’ll find built-up dust, so get cleaning.
- Light switches
There’s no guessing why light switches are quickly covered with finger marks. And while viewing a stranger’s fingerprints is not a palatable experience, it’s also downright unhygienic. So ensure you clean and disinfect every light switch in your home thoroughly.
- The lounge
For short-term rentals, covering your lounge with a lounge protector is always best. A good cover that you can throw in the washing machine is far easier to keep clean than trying to dryclean the entire sofa. But whichever way you go, regularly check that all surfaces are clean and stain free. Additionally, vacuum thoroughly underneath the cushions so there are no tell-tale breadcrumbs or lolly wrappers to be discovered. If there are small stains, use a spot remover, and remember that a lint roller is often your best friend when sprucing up upholstery (and removing hair).
- Cupboard doors
Hopefully, cupboard doors are on your regular cleaning list, but it pays to give them a closer inspection regularly. Soup stains, stirfry splatters,finger marks — and even dirt from pets rubbing back and forth can accumulate, and are never a good look for new guests.
- Fingerprints on walls
Inspect hallways, the side of stairs and any common areas for tell-tale marks. If you host your property to children, you may need to get down on your knees and take a closer look at toddler level. (While you’re there, check for food and drink splatters that little ones often leave behind.)
- The kettle
Kettles can easily acquire fingerprints, splatter from cooking in the kitchen, as well as a nasty combination of dust and grime. And there’s nothing worse than using an appliance that looks like hundreds have used before. Use a spray cleaner and a microfibre cloth to remove all dirt and return it to its sparkling glory.
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