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During busy periods with back-to-back bookings, changeovers can feel like a bit of a whirlwind! At times like these, it’s essential to make sure your property always looks at its best so that each new set of guests feels at home.
At holidaycottages.co.uk, we support our owners with all aspects of holiday letting, including how to clean holiday cottages. Below is a summary of the cleaning changeover checklist we supply to make owners’ lives easier. We’ve picked out the things which are easy to miss when you’re in a hurry, so why not bookmark this page for you or your cleaner to check you’ve covered everything?
We’ve marked fortnightly and monthly tasks with an F and M respectively.
Kitchen
The kitchen is where your guests will start their day and it is often the hub of the home, so it’s important that your changeover cleans really focus on this busy room. Besides the obvious steps in your cleaning routine, check the following:
- Empty and clean fridge, bin, bread bin, cooker, microwave, kettle, toaster and teapot
- Chairs
- Cupboards and cupboard doors
- Defrost freezer
- Tops of cupboards (F)
- Extractor fans, hoods and filters (F)
- Check all equipment is present (F)
Bathrooms
It’s amazing what you can spot when enjoying a long soak in the bath, so take a moment to inspect your bathroom from a guest’s perspective. Cleaning the bath, WC, basin and shower goes without saying, but these things might also require attention as you work your way through your holiday cottage cleaning checklist:
- Grout
- Bins
- Mirrors
- Toilet rolls (and top-up supply)
- Towels and bathroom mats
- Shower curtain (F)
Living and dining room
After a wonderful day exploring the local area, your guests will be looking forward to putting their feet up and relaxing in the living and dining room. Our holiday let cleaning checklist will help to make sure these spaces are as comfortable as possible. Furniture, carpets, rugs and other flooring should all be hoovered or cleaned, but check these other items too:
- Ornaments and pictures
- Fires and wood burners (empty and restock)
- Bookcases and books (M)
Bedrooms
As night falls, your guests will be longing to cosy up beneath soft, freshly laundered sheets and dream of the next day’s adventures. Changing beds, vacuuming, emptying bins and dusting should all be part of your normal holiday cottage changeover checklist routine, but be sure to inspect the following:
- Ornaments and pictures
- Under beds
- Condition of pillows, mattress protectors and duvets
- Coat hangers
Whole house
When consulting our holiday homes cleaning checklist, there are some points that apply to each and every room. Bear the following list in mind as you complete your checks for the whole property:
- Lights and light bulbs
- Batteries (for remotes etc.)
- Any high surfaces (F)
- Doors, handles, tops of doors, skirting boards, dado rails (F)
- Windows – internally (F)
Garden
It’s not just the interior of your holiday let that your guests expect to be clean and tidy; the exterior is just as important. If you have a low maintenance garden, normally only a cursory tidy up and attention to lawns, plants and flower beds is needed, but specifically check the following:
- Cleanliness and state of garden furniture
- Dustbins
- Windows – externally (F)
- Fences and gates (F)
- Decking (F)
- Driveways and paths (M)
- Paintwork and doors (M)
Additional facilities
Facilities such as hot tubs and swimming pools are highly attractive to guests – bear in mind that they may need a bit of extra attention during changeover days to keep them at their best.
For hot tubs, pools and saunas you should follow government legislation with regards to cleaning and maintenance.
If you offer play equipment, either internal or external, check that is all in safe working order and clean, and have a read of our guide, Expert advice on play equipment from Boshers, for further useful information.
Looking to start holiday letting?
We’re always on the search for new owners to let their properties, whatever the style and appeal.
With an exceptional team who are dedicated to showcasing your property to help maximise its true potential, you get a simple, stress-free and successful letting experience that delivers you a healthy return.
If you are considering letting your holiday home, then we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and let us help you on your journey. Call 01237 459991 or send us a message.
You can also download a free letting guide.
How to start holiday letting