Get those cleaning gloves out!
Spring is almost here and the change in weather isn’t the only thing that’s on the way. Soon, springtime bookings will be rolling in as guests start arriving for their half-term breaks, and Easter getaways. Now that winter is coming to a close it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning your property in preparation for the busiest season of the year.
We understand that you’ve likely hired a housekeeper to keep your property in tip-top condition. However, we always like to recommend to our owners that a deep, thorough spring clean is always worth doing at this time of year. As the UK’s staycation industry continues to grow, your properties will likely welcome more guests as peak season ramps up. It’s important to leave a positive lasting impression on new and returning guests, which will help generate positive reviews.
In this post, we’ll be sharing our top tips for spring cleaning your holiday let. We’ll also dip into the nooks and crannies you might not consider and let you know our thoughts on what guests look out for when arriving at a property.
What is Spring Cleaning, and why does it matter?
Most of you will already know what spring cleaning is. It’s that time of year when you decide to have a big clean, a proper clear out. This is when you get around to those more heavy-duty jobs that you might have been putting off.
A big clean or tidy is a powerful reset. It helps put the house in order, reduces stress, and can be hugely rewarding. As you can tell, this matters a lot if you’re letting your property out to holidaymakers. Taking the time to thoroughly clean and tidy your home will help improve the happiness of your guests, which will help provide a big boost in positive reviews.
9 tips to kick-start Spring Cleaning?
Gardens and exterior
What’s the first thing guests see when they arrive at your property? Your property. Over the winter period, particularly if the weather hasn’t been kind, the outside of your property can accumulate its fair share of dirt. Keeping on top of your garden and the exterior of your property is often an overlooked part of your cleaning routine. Something done less often and easily forgotten.
This is where many of the big jobs come from. For example, cleaning the exterior of an entire house will take a little more than a sunny afternoon and some elbow grease.
Here are our top 5 priorities for the exterior of your property
- Windows – Make sure to give the windows of your property a proper wash. Shiny windows make your property really pop!
- Driveway – Often overlooked but still significant is the driveway. A clean driveway helps give guests a pleasant welcome from the moment they arrive.
- Exterior Walls – No matter where your property is the exterior walls are likely to accumulate some dirt. We’re not suggesting a full paint makeover, but a thorough blast with a pressure washer makes a world of difference.
- Garden – Your garden will probably be having its first cut in weeks. It’s crucial you stay on top of your lawn as grass really starts to grow this time of year.
- Garden furniture – As the weather gets warmer guests will be spending more time outside. Give your garden furniture a good once over to make sure they’re suitable for use and ready to wow.
Deep clean the interior
Spring is the most ideal time of year to perform a thorough deep cleaning of your property. We recommend all owners do a proper deep clean at least once or twice a year.
If you’re deep cleaning, it’s very necessary to really get in there and clean appliances in the kitchen such as the oven, cleaning the fridge and freezer. Most cleanliness complaints we see from guests concerning the kitchen, so it’s extra important to get in there and make sure it’s as clean as possible.
Fireplaces
If your property has a fireplace spring is an ideal time to get it cleaned.
After some heavy use in the autumn and winter months, your fireplace is likely in dire need of a good clean. Spring is a convenient time to do it as it’ll be used a lot less in the warmer months.
If you’re able to do it yourself, then a simple sweep should do the trick. However, if you’re looking for a full clean and servicing, we’d suggest contacting a local chimney sweep. Guests might still want to use the fireplace, so keeping it in proper working order is a must.
Inventory
When was the last time you had a good rummage through the cupboards at your property?
Sorting through everything that might be sitting in the cupboards and getting rid of anything that shouldn’t be in there is always a smart call. You should have an inventory list of all the items you have on the property. You should conduct regular checks to make sure guests have everything they need for their stay. Doing this will help reduce complaints and make sure guests aren’t left without.
Paint
During the year your property will be host to a lot of people. As guests come and go, some inevitable wear and tear is going to happen and the odd scrapes and chips are going to be left in the paintwork. A quick refresh of the paint at the property helps bring rooms back to life. While many guests may not even notice, paint is one of those small things that can change the overall feel of a property.
Linen
Linen is one of those things that is easy to forget. It gets cleaned after every guest turnover, so you know cleanliness isn’t an issue. However, like many other items, linen actually has a shelf life.
Linens will only hold their quality for a certain number of washes – after a while, the quality starts to fade. There’s a lot more to keeping linen fresh, and you can learn more about how to get the most out of your linens from the team at Vision Linens.
Welcome packs
We recommend a high-quality welcome pack for every property owner. They go a long way to impressing guests when they first arrive, and are the perfect finishing touch to any memorable arrival. A quick check to make sure all information is up to date in the pack, be it alarm codes, appliance manuals, or even local attraction leaflets is really important. We’ve got a handy guide that’ll help you create the perfect welcome pack.
Compliance
Public liability insurance, fire risk assessments, and all electrical and gas safety compliances are essential. Not only are they required by us but they are also a legal requirement for any holiday let. Keeping them up to date is critical. Read our blog on holiday letting regulations and see what you need in place to let out your property.
Photography
Now that you’ve spruced up your property, and maybe made the odd change, spring is the perfect time to get some updated photographs. Guests can use these as a guide to choosing their next stay. Keeping your photography up to date is a helpful way of making sure guests aren’t misled in any way when booking.
If you’re a newcomer to holiday letting and wondering how to get started, or you’re an experienced owner and just looking for some advice, our team is always on-hand to provide some useful tips and pointers on making the most of your property.
Get in touch with us today. We’re always more than happy to help!
