Holiday Rentals – Guests’ Safety and Sense of Well-Being – The Key Issues You Need To Consider
2020 has been a devastating year for the travel and hospitality sector.
Many hosts, owners, managers and service contractors have seen their incomes reduced to zero.
Our businesses will never quite be the same on a number of levels.
As the sector struggles to get back on its feet, we thought that we’d take a look at some of the things that we will need to do differently from now on.
Obviously, these things centre around cleaning, cleanliness and guest interaction and well-being.
In this article we look at some key points that will help you, your business and your guests safety and sense of well-being.
Point of entry
Our front doors are the first touch point of our property and our guests stay and we will need to pay attention to sanitizing keys, door handles or keypads. This will apply to key safes as well if you use them.
Going forward, we can see a rise in the popularity of contactless entry systems, also known as smart locks.
With a smart lock fitted, you can easily lock and unlock the front door with an app on your (or your guests) smartphone. The phone sends a wireless signal via BlueTooth to the motor controlled knob that sits on the inside of the door.
You can remotely control who has access (and, just as importantly, when they have access).
This extends to cleaners and service contractors or anyone else for that matter.
They cost in the region of £150 and can be bought from Danalock for example. They are simple to install and don’t require any wiring or internet.
Not only are these a pretty cool use of technology, they also remove the need for keys and key management (and now key sanitizing). They do away with the headache of lost keys too.
They also give you an instant notification of guest arrival (and departure).
Meet and greet
Like it or not, the hospitality business has changed due to the Coronavirus and one of the main changes will be that your guests probably don’t want to meet you any more.
We know this will please some owners and managers, especially those managing larger portfolios of properties that spend their time driving from rental to rental (and waiting for late arrivals).
But, with the use of smart locks and your own smarts you can carry out virtual meet and greets in a number of ways.
The smart lock is activated and you receive a notification that the guest has arrived.
You can simply phone the guest and welcome them to the property, share any important information and tell them how to get in touch should they need to.
You could supplement this call with an ‘in-property’ tablet/iPad that is a digital combination of the old ‘house book’/guidebook/guestbook.
You could introduce options like Virtual Concierge that offer voice operated services via Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home that could supplement this ‘digital hand holding’.
Here’s a PDF Guide that outlines some of the many things that you can offer via voice controlled devices in your rental property
Trading the welcome pack for a well-being pack
Many of us have been providing welcome packs on arrival for as long as we can remember.
Whether it’s a basket of fresh fruit, a locally produced bottle of wine and a selection of tapas or chocolates on pillows, we’ve always wanted to make our guests feel at home and get their holiday off to a great start.
Moving forward, it would better suit the current situation if we provide a well-being pack of face masks, travel-sized hand sanitizer, latex gloves and selected cleaning products. Providing liquid hand soap at each sink would also be well appreciated.
This will underline that cleaning, cleanliness and public health are one of your priorities and this may currently be the most important signal that you can send.
Face masks
Face masks are quite inexpensive and can be purchased from local chemists or online via Amazon and the like.
Creative owners and property managers could go a step further and provide branded masks from online companies like Realthread
Travel-sized hand sanitizer
Once again, these are relatively inexpensive, easy to source and reinforce your hygiene lead approach.
These could easily be relabeled to project brand, personalization or both.
Latex gloves
Latex and vinyl (latex free) gloves are available from chemists, auto supply shops or online. A box of 100 only costs around £12 so they won’t break the bank and again they emphasize that guest health and safety are paramount to your business.
Maybe leave a pair for each guest in a ziplock bag.
Cleaning products
We’ve read a number of predictions that many guests will be bringing their own cleaning products but it certainly won’t hurt if you provide some rubber gloves, a bottle of disinfectant, some sterile wipes and paper towels.
Liquid hand soap
These are readily available from various outlets, both on the high street and online. Think about buying bulk packs and refilling each station during changeovers.
A gentle reminder
It may be a good idea to leave a short accompanying note that outlines your overall cleaning manifesto and the extra steps that you and your cleaning staff have undertaken in preparing the property for your guests safe arrival.
Personal protection equipment (PPE)
Don’t forget that yourself and or other cleaning staff will need to wear/be supplied with PPE such as masks, gloves and overalls (see your local governments guidelines for more information). These and other rubbish from the property will need to be disposed of properly.
Bedding and towels
We’ve seen conversations in some owner groups regarding guests bringing their own bedding and towels. This may be an option in some areas. This is already common in some regions such as Scandinavia where there is historically a summer house culture.
There is also the option to rent linens. These linens are often washed at higher temperatures so they offer extra piece of mind.
Feel free to contact us for more details.
There’s also the option to supply disposable, sterile, biodegradable, single use towels from Viscoto. These cost between 20p and a pound each depending on size.
At what cost?
We understand that most of the above suggestions cost money and as always someone has to foot the bill.
Some of the costs could be absorbed by the host, owner or manager. Installing smart locks for example could actually save time and money over the course of a year so actually pay for themselves.
Providing tablets and voice activated devices adds up, especially if you have a number of properties but these add to the guest experience so may warrant a relative increase in rental fees.
A well-being pack, PPE for yourself and your cleaning stall and a enhanced cleaning and disinfecting regime will certainly add to current cleaning costs but we believe that guests will be prepared to pay these increases for higher levels of cleaning and disinfection. Especially if these increases are communicated in the correct way.
The one major stumbling block
The major problem that we all face from now on is perception.
Although you may clean your property to within an inch of its life, the fact remains that some property owners and managers are not as fastidious.
And we all get tarred with the same, lowest common denominator, brush.
The press will never write a story that tells travellers that 90% of the holiday rental sector offer spotless, disinfected accommodation. They will always spotlight the dirty, unclean places and that’s going to affect us all.
That’s one of the reasons why hotels have a better reputation for cleaning and cleanliness. Their staff are professionally trained, they generally use stronger chemicals and work to tight protocols.
The hotel industry will exploit this and attack the vacation rental sectors on this point.
The problem that hotels can’t avoid though is that they have communal contact areas and high-touch points such as lift buttons, door pushes, etc and that will affect them as they too try to adapt to this new world working environment.
The online travel agencies (OTA’s) like Airbnb, Booking (.com), Expedia, etc are looking at ways to improve the cleaning levels perception problem.
Airbnb have introduced their Airbnb Hosting Cleaning Commitment, the others are implementing similar initiatives.
We predict that there will be more training or that these companies will insist that hosts, owners and managers provide certified cleaning via reputable professional cleaning companies.
Only time will tell but this area will become a key battleground in the medium term future.
We would have liked to say that this article is about adapting to renting in a post Covid-19 world but the virus hasn’t gone away. Not by a long chalk. In fact, at the time of writing there were a record number of new cases reported yesterday.
On the upside, travel is starting to make a comeback. It may be ‘in country’ to begin with but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We can only adapt. Do our best to keep ourselves and our guests as safe as possible and above all, communicate what measures we are taking to address these new and troubling issues.
There’s a lot of conflicting information appearing on the internet regarding Airbnb cleaning at the moment.
It’s not surprising really. We’re all chasing a moving target as governmental protocols are issued, revised and updated.
This article aims to provide up to date guidelines with a sprinkling of common sense.
We understand that a lot of you are still hosting your units and properties right now, be it opening up your residence for longer stays, welcoming local guests, or providing shelter to medical workers on the front lines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response. If you are still hosting, it is essential to rethink your cleaning routine to make sure you are doing what you can to protect yourself and your guests.
As we said, we would like to help, so we have put together a number of guidelines based on insights and suggestions from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Airbnb themselves and from some of our own research.
Why Cleaning is More Important than Ever
Cleanliness has always been a top priority for hosts and their guests, but it is even more critical as we are all striving to lessen the spread of infection. As per the ECDC, it is possible for someone to contract COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface — like a light switch, remote control or doorknob — and the virus may live on some surfaces for numerous hours or even days. That is why it is crucial to clean and disinfect surfaces that have frequently been touched, particularly between reservations.
Note: According to ECDC recommendations, we recommend limiting access to your space — including for cleaning — for 24 hours right after each guest stay.
The Difference Between Disinfecting and Cleaning
When it comes to controlling germ spread, it makes it easier to understand the difference between disinfecting and cleaning. Disinfection occurs when you use chemicals to kill germs (like spraying with a bleach solution). You can reduce the risk of infection by first cleaning, then disinfecting. Cleaning is the act of removing dirt, germs, and impurities (like when using a soapy sponge to wipe off a visibly dirty counter or stovetop).
Here are some recommendations to follow when you clean your space between the guests. If you work with a cleaning specialist, inform them to use this list as well.
1. Wear disposable equipment while you clean. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face masks, and gowns, or facial cloth could provide extra protection. After each cleaning, make sure to throw your gloves out and wash your hands properly right away.
2. Ventilate the rooms before you clean up. Allow the air to circulate for at least 20 minutes. Keep all windows open during the whole cleaning process, if possible.
3. Wash your hands extensively before and after each cleaning session. Use soap and water and wash them for at least 20 seconds. If that’s not achievable, at least apply a hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.
4. Clean, disinfect. Use soap or detergent and water to remove dirt, grease, germs, and dust. Spray with a disinfectant once the surface is clean. Let it stand for a couple of minutes, then wipe — and if you do not use disposable wipes or paper towels, it is best to use a brand new cleaning cloth for each changeover.
5. Make sure you prevent touching your face while cleaning. To stop the spread of germs, the ECDC advises that you do not touch your face, eyes, and nose with unwashed hands — so pay extra attention when cleaning.
6. Use an appropriate disinfectant. The most popular household disinfectants as well as cleaning alternatives with diluted household bleach or at least 70% alcohol are considered to be effective against coronavirus. Pay close attention to regularly touched surfaces, such as light switches, remote controls, doorknobs, and tap and shower handles.
7. Do not forget about sofas, drapes, carpets, and other soft, porous surfaces. Gently remove any grime or visible dirt, then wash with the proper cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces—Machine-wash items as instructed by the manufacturer, if possible.
8. Wash all linens at the highest temperature suggested by the manufacturer. This involves hand and bath towels, mattress covers, bed linen, kitchen towels, and blankets. Make sure to wear gloves when handling dirty laundry, and take care to prevent shaking laundry, which may raise the spread of germs.
9. Clean and disinfect laundry baskets. If possible, consider using a liner that is either disposable or that can be placed in a washing machine.
10. After each cleaning, empty the vacuum cleaner. You should wipe a vacuum cleaner with a disinfectant, along with appliances such as a dishwasher and a washing machine.
11. Take a moment to check the expiry dates while restocking your supplies. And remember to never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaning solution that could release toxic gasses that are hazardous to inhale.
12. Line rubbish bins, placing bags in the bins will make it easier to dispose of tissues and other waste.
13. Dispose of or wash the cleaning supplies. If you are using disinfectant wipes, paper towels, and other disposable cleaning supplies, remove the trash after you’re done. If you use cleaning cloths and other reusable products, make absolutely sure that the machine is washed at the highest heat setting appropriate for the material.
14. Remove all cleaning equipment safely. When you have finished cleaning, immediately remove any safety outerwear such as clothes, masks, or gloves and dispose of or wash it accordingly. Remember to clean your hands at least 20 seconds afterward.
15. It may be a very good idea to put all cutlery (used and unused) into the dishwasher as these items could end up in people’s mouths.
Helping Guests Protect Themselves
Like you, guests would like to take additional steps to reduce their risk of infection. You can help promote social distancing by offering self-check-in and check-out. Consider installing a smart keypad lock, or a key lockbox, and remember to refresh your listing to add self-check-in instructions. You can also reduce person-to-person contact by avoiding regular maintenance during your guest’s visit.
To help guests establish a higher level of cleanliness and sanitation, make sure your space is well stocked with vital amenities and probably add a few extras. Things like this:
Toilet Paper
Hand soap
Disposable gloves and wipes
Antibacterial hand sanitizer
Paper towels
Tissues
Extra bin bags of all sizes
Be sure to store a lot of extra sheets and towels, especially for guests who stay for more than a few days. You can inspire guests to clean up themselves by supplying disinfectants and other cleaning products. You may even want to print and distribute the above cleaning guidelines so that if they decide to wash or clean linens, they can do so in accordance with the guidelines of the ECDC.
Telling Guests About Your Enhanced Cleaning Routine
Guests will want to know all the extra steps you are taking to reduce the spread of infection. So it is a good idea to mention your improved cleaning routine in your listing description. If you do, please be very careful about the words you choose — while it is okay to say that you are taking extra care to sanitize your space because of COVID-19, you cannot make baseless claims, such as calling your “COVID-free” space.
Checklist of items to clean and disinfect
General:
Light switches
Thermostats
Air vents
Surfaces
Window sills and window handles
Remote controls
Tables
Fan and lamp chains
Garbage and recycling bins
Hairdryers
Keys
Ironing boards and irons
Railings
Doorknobs
Kitchen:
Cabinet handles and pulls
Sinks
All cups, plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons and utensils
Appliances:
Pressure cooker
coffee maker
Oven
Toaster, etc.
Condiments
Oil
Salt, and pepper shakers
Regularly used containers and spices, etc.
Kitchenware that is not dishwasher safe: kids’ plasticware, ceramic bowls, etc.
Hard-backed chairs
Bathroom:
Faucet handles
Sinks
Toilets
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and soap dispensers
Shower curtains and doors
Showers and tubs
Bedroom:
Luggage racks and hangers
Nightstands
Cleaning appliances:
Vacuum cleaners
Dishwashers
Washer/dryer units
Kids’ items:
Portable playpens and cribs
High chairs
Toys
Other amenities:
Surfboards
Bikes
Books
Games
We hope you will find these cleaning guidelines beneficial as you navigate your hosting during these testing times. We will continue to update our suggestions as the situation evolves. In the meantime, please visit the ECDC website for more information about COVID-19.
In the last ten years or so the vacation rental sector has been taken over by technology.
What was, quite literally, a cottage industry is now an amalgam of tech wizardry.
We list our properties with huge corporations that use big data and complex algorithms to find guests for our properties.
We interact with travelers and advertise special deals on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like.
We use property management systems, channel managers and yield management systems to manage, market and monetize our properties throughout the marketing and booking process.
We monitor security, entry systems, guest noise levels and climatic controls. All via our smartphones.
We can send pinpointingly accurate maps and driving instructions, welcome guests remotely and supply digital guidebooks.
But, in all of this techno revolution, there is one area of the short term rental business that has remained almost untouched by innovation.
Very few hosts, owners and property managers have adopted any technology for their cleaning requirements.
In general, it’s still calendars, spreadsheets and plenty of phone calls to cleaning staff and or cleaning companies.
It’s the same as it’s always been.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here at Doinn we offer a technology solution that changes your cleaning operations.
Our app acts as a bridge between cleaning admin tasks and professionally trained cleaning staff.
Literally, all of the work is done for you.
The 4 major advantages of using a cleaning app
1 First and foremost it’s a timesaver. And who doesn’t want to save time!
2. Secondly, it assures full transparency in communication, as all the alerts about any forgotten or damaged object or other abnormal situation observed by the cleaner are registered, get notified and stay recorded and attached to the service information.
3. Thirdly, it automates the entire cleaning process and that includes linens if you wish
4. Lastly, it probably costs less than your current cleaning operation
Here’s how it works…
You simply add your properties
You can either add your property manually or you can upload properties in bulk via a spreadsheet.
Next, add access details, contact information, etc.
You can add specific access details, cleaning, and/or rubbish disposal instructions or contact information in the profile of each apartment. It will be easy to access by the cleaning teams assigned to this property as well as any other person in charge of the service.
Set your check-in and check-out times
These can be set as default or set for individual properties. They can also be edited for individual bookings if certain guests need an early check-in or a late check-out.
Leave notes for cleaning staff via the app
Eliminate the need to call or pass on messages to your cleaners.
Just add special requirements in the app’s notes section and that’s it.
Your cleaning staff will be notified automatically and they can answer you in real-time
Synchronize with your bookings automatically with iCal
The platform syncs with iCal (the industry standard booking calendar).
Once you get a booking, the check-out cleaning will automatically be scheduled.
Professionally trained cleaning personnel will be assigned to the job.
Everything is taken care of.
Billing
Managing properties for different owners? Invoices for services purchased can be issued to a specific person or legal entity.
The major advantages of using professional cleaners
The fact that your properties are spotless is severely compromised by the fact that other properties in your area – aren’t.
The thing that really brings this to the fore is the impact of the Coronavirus and the fact that the standard of cleanliness and the perceived level of cleanliness across the whole rental industry is what will drive bookings in the foreseeable future.
Owners and managers are going to need more than good past reviews.
They are going to need a level of proof that they are providing thoroughly disinfected properties.
The big online travel agencies have a lot at stake here. They have been exposed to a potential weak spot in their armor.
When using the Doinn app and associated cleaning services providers you get professionally trained cleaning staff and higher, certified, levels of cleaning.
We work with over 300 excellent cleaning staff from over 40 cleaning companies. We’re in 88 cities in Europe and growing quickly.
Why the cost of your hotel or Airbnb could double after coronavirus
Due to occupancy restrictions and increased cleaning costs, it’s predicted that travel accommodation costs could double or even quadruple.
Holidays could double in price once lockdown is lifted because of a raft of new safety measures being imposed on hotels.
Travel accommodation providers could be forced to increase cleaning budgets, leave rooms vacant between guests and install expensive equipment to prevent the spread of coronavirus when holidays resume. Some hotels in Spain have been told they can only reopen if they keep occupancy at 30pc or below.
Skift CEO Says The Biggest Thing To Save The Hotel Industry Is A Coordinated Response
He also predicts that STR guests will be traveling with their own cleaning products
Refunds from Airbnb, Expedia and Booking.com in doubt, warns travel expert
With all the initial talk (and outcry) that the online travel companies would refund travelers, it appears that this may not in fact be the case.
According to this article from RSVP, “Expedia are currently facing a €5 billion refund bill, Airbnb’s is about €2 billion, Booking.com is about €1.6 billion”
Many travellers use ‘middle men’ to get a cheap price on their flight, hotels and accomodation. However, in light of the global pandemic, the travel industry is on its knees from top to bottom.
The point being: if you thought it was hard to get your money back from airlines, just try getting it from the company between you and the airline.
“Intermediaries are in real trouble because they’re really messing people around,” says Irish travel expert and journalist Eoghan Corry.
The travel industry has been one of the hardest hit during this pandemic. With much of the world in lockdown, passenger airline traffic is down 95 percent, hotels are nearly empty, and tour operators are unemployed. The industry will rebound eventually, as the urge to travel is hardwired into many humans, but it’s unlikely to look exactly the same as it did before 2020.
Treehugger predicts that, among other things, road trips and rural destinations will be the hot-selling ticket items in the coming months as people start to regain their thirst for travel.
Portugal’s Airbnb owners resist push to low-rent housing
Meanwhile, in Lisbon and Porto the government are offering to take short term rentals back into the long term marketplace by offering 2 to 5 year leases in order to free up housing stock and potentially help holiday rental owners through these difficult times.
LISBON (Reuters) – As reservation calendars at Portugal’s 90,000 holiday homes were wiped clean amid the coronavirus outbreak, councils in its biggest cities swooped in with offers to rent up to 2,000 properties to sublet as low-cost housing.
Edinburgh council to buy or rent empty Airbnb properties off desperate landlords
This is also happening in Scotland…
Hundreds of short-let properties normally crammed with tourists at this time of year are standing empty, but councillors have launched a scheme to return them to their ‘proper use as a home’.
Edinburgh landlords and holiday let owners left with empty homes due to coronavirus are being encouraged to lease or sell them to the council.
France to Build Online Platform to Rival Airbnb, Booking.com
The French government has announced that they plan to build a listings portal for the country. This could make a lot of sense as they could then control properties that are listing in the grey area of legality, especially in Paris, along with policing things like minimum stays, licensing and taxes.
They may have underestimated the costs and complexity of such a task though.
The French government will join forces with the tourism industry to build an Internet site aimed winning back customers from U.S. online travel giants such as Airbnb Inc. and Booking Holdings Inc.
The initiative is part of government-led stimulus package to revive tourism in one of the world’s top destinations as hotels, restaurants, theme parks as well as travel sites and tour operators are among the hardest hits by lockdowns and restrictions to fight the global coronavirus pandemic.
Airbnb Cleaning – Medium And Long Term Let Cleaning Solutions In Times Of A Crisis
As we all know, the travel and hospitality sectors have been heavily impacted by the Coronavirus crisis.
Many of us can’t operate normally at the moment, that’s for sure.
In some locations, owners and managers have had to switch to medium or long term lets.
Maybe you are hosting essential workers, medical personnel or such like.
These mid to long term lets bring their own operational challenges that need specific solutions so we thought that we would start a discussion with some initial thoughts and ideas and ask our readers what they are doing to meet these new demands.
Exit cleaning
When it comes to cleaning traditional short term rentals our stock in trade is exit cleaning.
Guests leave, we clean, new guests arrive. Rinse and repeat.
That’s obviously not the case right now.
Even if you are located in an area that’s coming out of lockdown, it’s recommended that you leave the property empty for between 24 and 72 hours before new guests arrive.
This presents all sorts of problems for owners and managers especially if your properties are in ‘fly to’ locations that have always worked on a Saturday to Saturday basis.
The same goes for urban operations where the average stay is 2 or 3 nights.
In both of these cases, if you adhere to the 24 to 72 hours break between guests you will be losing 50% of booking availability.
The logistics of implementing these ‘holdover’ days are further complicated by the fact that PMS and channel management systems aren’t set up for such a scenario.
Many admin tasks that were set to autopilot will have to be updated manually.
Medium stays
Thoseowners and property managers that have opted for 30 day rentals find themselves in different circumstances.
Essential workers, medical professionals or other guests may want intermediate cleaning but that would mean that cleaning personnel would need to enter the property while it was still ‘occupied’ (even if the guest wasn’t home at the time).
This may even be against the rules or guidelines in some countries or cities.
Changes of linen and towels will need some planning too, even if intermediate cleaning isn’t allowed or requested.
It would be possible to do a ‘drop and collect’ but the guest would be stripping the beds and bagging and sealing the laundry. They would also be making the beds.
Either way, this will involve time and costs will need to be passed on to the guest.
Exit cleaning is, in most cases, paid for by the host, as part of the rental cost.
Intermediate cleaning (even if it’s possible) would need to be paid for by the guest, over and above the initial rental price.
This could be tricky if it involves ‘off-platform’ payments.
In some countries, stays of over 14 nights require a ‘deep clean’ as opposed to an exit clean and your cleaning company will almost certainly charge more for that.
These things all need to be taken into consideration.
Long term stays
Long term rentals will obviously have the same issues as medium-term rentals but with the added issues of planned maintenance, monthly deep cleans and inspections.
Dealing with the unexpected
Even if you manage to solve the above issues and manage to rent your property/s in the medium or long term there are other issues to consider.
What happens if the washing machine or dishwasher packs up?
Or the TV or internet goes on the blink?
What if the air conditioning stops working?
How will you arrange for tradesmen to enter the premises? Can you actually get a plumber or electrician to work indoors at present?
Will you be charged a premium rate due to the current circumstances?
These are all things that need to be thought about.
In all cases
Anyone who enters the rental, albeit cleaning staff, owner, manager or other personnel, will need personnel protection equipment (PPE).
They may need training and other products (like disinfectants) in order to carry out their tasks safely.
Where possible, give guests the choice to book as many cleans as they need to feel safe, including a decontamination service before their arrival. This health crisis has affected people in many different ways, help them to go through it.
Communication will be key
Our businesses and our guests’ needs have changed and we need to adapt to these changes.
Guests won’t really want to meet owners and managers in person.
Keyless entry systems and key boxes will become the norm so we’ll need to up our digital marketing and communication skill sets.
Update your website and your property listings. Email past and potential guests regarding your proactive changes, cleaning protocols and anything else that will set their minds at ease regarding their health concerns.
There are 1000’s of models of vacuum cleaners out there, so I think you are here to see which one of them is best for you and your Airbnb.
So, what’s the best vacuum cleaner out there? A quality vacuum cleaner makes boring activities such as cleaning the house, if not pleasant, at least bearable.
Anyway, nobody wants to buy an item that proves to be totally unworthy. You can try looking for all the little things, all the little details that fit together to make a big vacuum cleaner, or you can take our advice and save hours of unnecessary browsing.
Why trust us?
Because here at Doinn, we know cleaning. That’s our job. We also sat down and poured through a ton of the latest reviews so that we could give you the best rundown on the latest options…
So, you’re Unsure Which Vacuum Cleaner to Buy?
As you may already know, it’s not all about price. Unless you’re a rock star or super Superhost, you’re probably going to make your selection based on your budget.
But just before you rush into anything, hear us out for a couple of seconds… The most expensive vacuum cleaner, for that matter, is not necessarily the best of the best for you. The latest advances in materials and continuous improvements in design allow you to choose from a wide range of ‘Hoovers’, many of which offer an exceptional price/value ratio.
Or, if you are set up to purchase a particular brand, keep in mind that each manufacturer adds a personal touch to their products, making each model of vacuum cleaner unique. Some producers focus completely on building mostly vacuums (such as Bissell, Dyson or Hoover), while others are long-established companies that also manufacture other home appliances (i.e., Panasonic or Electrolux).
When purchasing a vacuum cleaner, people always seem to be searching for a product that offers the best “bang for the buck,” as we often say.
In our list below, we have a wide range of vac types, including robot, upright and cylinder, and cordless vacuums. See below for a full list in this guide, and don’t forget to check out the reviews, too, which could go some way to helping to make a decision.
So, let us look at the key features.
Airbnb Cleaning – Best Vacuum Cleaner For Your AirBnB?
This type of vacuum cleaner is mostly used in the US / UK. Upright vacuums are based on an actual segment stick supporting the handle and the recipient holding all the dirt. They are normally equipped with a rotating brush roller that swipes away at the surfaces being cleaned and collects all the dust. There are two kinds of upright vacuums, taking into account their structural design: fan-bypass cleaners and direct fan cleaners.
The main distinction between these is that direct-fan uprights use less power, but also have less cleaning power, while fan-bypass uprights need two times the power, but are ideal for use on both carpet and floor cleaning tasks.
Designs come with a single drive belt that is used for both the main suction motor and the rotating brush roller or may have separate drive belts to allow you to turn off the brush roller if necessary.
WHAT IS THE BEST VACUUM CLEANER?
If you want to purchase the best vacuum cleaner (in our opinion), we’re not just going to jump in and buy the Dyson Big Ball Animal 2. It is powerful, easy to maneuver, compact, and it does not lack the suction needed to clean a big house full of pets — but it’s got mixed rating in a lot of reviews. Then we cannot fault our favorite Dyson cordless vacuum, which has a super-powerful, stunning suction, and is incredibly lightweight, so we strongly recommend buying the Dyson V11 Absolute if the cordless model is what you are looking for.
1. DYSON BIG BALL ANIMAL 2 VACUUM CLEANER
Price: £299.00
Ideal for pet owners or Airbnb owners that have a pet-friendly property, this vacuum is a great all-rounder.
This Dyson cylinder model is a firm favorite with anyone who wants a quick but highly efficient cleaner. The mechanical cleaner head automatically adjusts to different floor types for the most efficient cleaning we’ve seen. The vacuum is modified to easy mode with max mode for extra stubborn dirt, but our reviewer found that easy mode was more than enough – in fact, the suction was so good that it took a little more pushover carpets. Furthermore, it has brought up carpets that look good as new, so you can’t complain too much about a little extra effort.
Great range of attachments
Furniture and stairs and are easily cleaned with the right fittings. Rotating heads pick up all sorts of fluff and debris from the surfaces, and it has a turbine head for finer particles, which is great for hard floors. The supportive hose makes it easy to get to every single corner.
Maneuverability
Dyson’s signature ball makes this vacuum very easy to move around. While not the lightest, the compact design means that it can be carried easily – up and down, which can be tricky with a cylinder vacuum. But, if you prefer an upright one, we also rated Dyson Ball Animal 2 highly, which is the upright version of this machine. This one has more than half a star. Why? It was a little easier to maneuver –,, especially at high-suction mode.
It has powerful suction and transitions from hard floor to carpet.
This is our favorite Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner, and our review scores five stars. It’s got twice the suction of the others, it’s easy to power the entire home on a full charge, and, with long-running time, you won’t need to recharge until you’ve finished the job.
Supreme clean
The filter captures allergens with ease, and high suction, and offers as thorough a clean as much bigger vacuums. It has a good range of accessories and is well-designed to clean the car or spot so you can have it as the only vacuum for a small household or a compact back-up in bigger homes. It will hit the floor working for up to an hour, so as long as you have time to charge it, and its nifty LCD screen will let you know how much running time you’ve left, so you are aware of cleaning time.
Lightweight
Whether you have many stairs or questions about mobility, this vacuum is appropriately lightweight. Despite being lightweight, it has not compromised the power, battery, and dust capacity. The style also means that it will clean with little fuss all those high up edges and crevices.
Max power
It’s great in standard mode, but for tougher jobs, you’ll need to switch it to max power. This gives it super suction but causes a few disadvantages. First, it cleans so well you find yourself very regularly emptying the bin and cleaning the filter. Secondly, max power reduces battery life, so you can use it only in short bursts. This isn’t a problem if you keep yourself on top of grime every couple of days, but if you’re more of a deep clean person every fortnight/month, you probably shouldn’t get cordless.
3. SHARK DUO CLEAN TRUE PET CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER
Price: £450.00
Feels like an upright work like a cordless and converts to a handheld.
If you want the liberty of a cordless vacuum with your old upright power and style, then this Shark vacuum cleaner could be for you.
Power and charging
At 50 minutes, the battery life is generous on the side for a cordless. This gives you loads of time to whizz around, and while the other one is in use, you can buy a spare battery to charge. The power is impressive and incredibly quiet.
Dust and hair busting
It also comes with a set of tools and has a button to adapt from hard to carpet flooring. And as the name suggests, it is created to operate well with either the main foot or the attachments on pet hair. One reviewer observed that long hair has got tangled in the brush, but it can be removed easily.
Using the boost button shortens battery time, but this won’t be a problem to keep you on top of the dirt and fluff every few days. Just make sure that you have a second deep clean battery charged. It also has a light, which is great for lighting up pesky particles of dust.
This vacuum cleaner folds for easy storing so that could be a useful factor if your Airbnb is tight on storage space.
4. SAMSUNG POWER STICK JET CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER
Price: £549.00
Best cordless vacuum for super-powerful suction: a multifunctional model with all the power but half the noise.
This Samsung vacuum is for you if you are looking for a cordless vacuum cleaner that can take a stand to any corded model, and the budget allows. It is Samsung’s latest cordless offering that can also be bought for an extra £ 50, with spinning floor sweepers.
Alarmingly powerful and quiet Indeed, our reviewer said the suction on this was ‘alarmingly’ powerful because it sucked up hair and dust from a freshly vacuumed floor that the model had managed to miss before. On the carpet, it excelled, where it got right into a deep pile. The turbo action brush lifts each and every speck of dirt, and the Samsung POWERstick Jet remains pretty quiet despite the power.
Battery life
The digital display shows the power with the option mid, max, and minus, this is used to decrease power for sensitive cleaning. The battery lasts 30 minutes comfortably on mid-power, but when used in combo with the lower power mode, the battery has an hour of life. Samsung will make the battery available for purchase later this year so that you can have one charged and prepared to go when the other one runs out. This will render this model a viable substitute for larger homes with corded vacuums, as more cleaning time is assured.
Very easy to move, carry and use
Some users find cordless vacs a bit tricky to get used to, particularly if the suction is so big that it makes it tough for the foot to clean over the floor. This is not the case with this vacuum, which in spite of its strong suction, moves with ease. For cordless vacuums with the weight towards the head, it is of average weight, but what’s really clever with this model is the telescopic pipe that can be modified to the height of the user. It can also be turned into a handheld, perfect for handling stairs, furnishings, and high spaces.
Emptying the dust tank is a doddle. It is bagless, so just loosen the tank, empty it over a bin, and if you like, you can even rinse it under the tap. The five-layer HEPA filter shows this vacuum is even fit for allergy-stricken homes.
Versatile tool kit – including mopping pads and charging stand The selection of attachments is just what you want, but it comes with the added bonus of a wet brush for mopping floors. This can be used with reusable, multipurpose pads for hard floor cleaning. You can have the Samsung POWERstick Jet with a spinning sweeper to buffer up hard floors for £ 50 more. With the conventional model, you get a combination tool, crevice tool, and a mini motorized tool. And Flexi hose, too, for reaching cramped spaces.
The Z Station is the charging stand of the POWERstick. It helps to keep your cordless tidy and upright as it charges-along with all the tools. It’s very handy, but the charging station ends up in a kitchen or hallway as it charges, unless you have a utility room or a huge cupboard with a socket within.
5. MIELE COMPLETE C3 TOTAL SOLUTION POWERLINE VACUUM
Gorgeously stowed tools and a slick exterior show off the renowned design prowess of Miele.
Miele is well known for producing high-quality products, and since this one has been around for a couple of years now, the price is quite reasonable.
A reliable and practical clean
If you prefer a cylinder vacuum and are happy to use a bagged model, you’ll be served well with the Miele Complete C3 range. It fits well with hard and carpeted floors, and the suction can be adjusted while moving around the home.
Easy to handle
Miele really thinks about everything when designing its vacuum cleaners to make sure cleaning is less of a chore. Foot checks on the vac’s body mean no bending over. All the tools are conveniently stored in the vacuum cleaner, so you don’t need to carry them around – and losing them is less of a risk. On that note, it has a wide range of tools for everything from upholstery to crevices and a delicate dust brush.
While it’s not lightweight, it’s pretty easy to handle, and the long-range cable and hose give you better freedom of movement.
Thorough clean
This vacuum cleaner doesn’t match the mud on the tiles and bits on the carpet. It handles all the debris very thoroughly, and while it’s not a pet model, it handles the hair with no problems. Mud on the carpet needed a little more, but the machine did the job and left no remnants.
Miele engineering at an affordable price This model has been out for a while now, which means it’s about £ 100 cheaper than the latest models. That’s not to say it’s worth £ 100 less – it’s doing the job, it’s doing it very well, and it’s built to last.
The two types of vacuum cleaners presented above may cover most of your needs. Nevertheless, handheld vacuums bring the necessary usability, i.e., when cleaning your car, intricate furniture pieces, between couch cushions, or even clothes. I bet there’s a narrow space in every home you can’t reach with an upright vacuum cleaner or a canister. With handheld vacuums, you can easily remove various stains, pet hair, spills, and other things you want to do.
What’s the best handheld vacuum cleaner If you’re looking for the best one right now, the Dyson V7 Trigger is still number one when it comes to handheld power. Yes, it is also the most costly on the list, but if you are looking for a guaranteed oomph and know that you are going to get a lot of use out of it, it’s a wise investment. Also, It has twice the battery life of some models in this list, so we can clean your car thoroughly before it needs to be recharged.
1. DYSON V7 TRIGGER
Price: £277.51
If you are someone who likes their home dust-free at all times, you can expect Dyson V7 Trigger to be your dust-fighting partner. This is one of the best handheld vacuums out there for quick and light cleaning. Its powerful 15 cyclones are designed to capture even the finest of dust particles, making it a good alternative for those with allergies. It is super-quiet, so if you are a bit of a Friends Monica and you find a sudden urge to clean up at a ridiculous morning hour, then you are not going to wake up the entire household in the process.
It also has a surprisingly good battery life of up to 30 minutes for a cordless handheld so you can clean it uninterruptedly. It’s also an effort or nothing, which means that you won’t lose suction at all, even if you are almost at the end of your battery life. Combination tools make it easy to access all areas, including stairs, room corners, and even the car. There is also a dual-mode option that allows you to sacrifice battery life for a more intense vacuum for those hard-to-clear areas. Then, when you’re done emptying, it’s as easy as pulling a tag when it is held over the bin, simple.
Best handheld vacuum cleaner: for those places that are usually out of reach, this vacuum will provide the height you need Black & Decker isn’t usually the name you’d associate with vacuums, but this one certainly lends itself to the thinking behind the brand – It’s sustainable, powerful, and handy!
It comes with a double-purpose nozzle, upholstery brush, and a crevice nozzle that lets you clean anything from the curtains to the sofa or window frames. The lengths of the nozzles are also intended to help you reach higher surfaces, such as cupboard tops, where you do not normally think you’re going to clean. It’s cordless and has an easy-going bowl to really make vacuuming a hassle-free experience.
Some may not enjoy the design, but the vacuum of this compact size will still be stored away from sight most of the time.
Best corded handheld vacuum for windows: keep your windows spotless with this specialized vacuum. Not what you would think when you think about vacuums, but for those who want to get gleaming windows, this vacuum cleaner window is a unique tool that will help you get the job done quickly. It is the best handheld vacuum for windows.
It looks like a power washer and is used in combination with detergent to clean and then vacuum the dirt away to clean and dry windows easily and quickly.
Users are impressed by the battery life and its lightweight feel,
which also makes it a useful tool for cleaning car windows.
Best budget handheld vacuum: a vacuum for those swift whip rounds, If you do not want to spend more on a handheld vacuum as you would on a full-size one, then you can expect this economical option from Vax to get the little jobs done very well. One of the best handheld vacuum cleaners that you can buy if you are on a budget.
The Vax is ideal for crumbs and quick cleaning, and surprisingly powerful, meaning that the life of the battery usually allows a few uses after each charge. That said, this battery life is not as good as the more expensive competition, but it is a great, affordable alternative for smaller areas. It is a great reasonable alternative. If you just want a competitive and effective vacuum to hand for daily spills, this is for you – it is accurate and compact.
The key feature to watch for in a handheld vacuum is how heavy it is, as it could make more effort than it is worth. Most of the handheld vacuums come in at about 1–2 kg.
Corded vs. cordless is now a popular feature, too, but consider what you’re likely to use for the first time because you’ll have to compromise on its power and run time if you’re on a battery-powered device.
Airbnb Cleaning – Best Vacuum Cleaner For Your AirBnB?
A nice trend in the industry is the emergence of robotic vacuums. The main feature of this type of product is the movement algorithm. A lot of robotic vacuums use a combination of fuzzy logic and reinforcement learning (i.e., Q-learning), neural networks, potential field, or similar artificial intelligence methods to achieve homogeneous cleaning of the entire floor space and safely return to the battery recharge docking station.
That’s the great thing about this “set it and forget it” approach.
A lot of robotic vacuums use spinning brushes or variable airflows to reach tight corners. And some designs even deploy UV sterilization or have mopping capabilities. Do not expect them to clean the stairs any time soon though.
If you want the best robot vacuum (in our opinion), we recommend buying the Dyson 360 Heurist. It wins the top spot for suction power, vacuums even the pet hair with ease, and is a bit more petite than some of the other models on our shortlist, so it can tackle tight spots.
These are the rest of the top picks below. Keep scrolling to get the full reviews.
1. DYSON 360 HEURIST ROBOT VACUUM
Price £880.00 (ouch)
Best robot vacuum: a robot vacuum with a powerful suction The Dyson 360 Heurist is the new kid on the block that replaced its counterpart, Dyson 360 Eye. It holds the powerful suction that Dyson is known to have, plus a host of gizmos and gadgets to boot.
What’s it good at?
As with the rest of the Dyson series, that little robot vacuum cleaner does not lose its suction. In fact, it has 20% more suction power and 20 times more memory than its counterpart, the Dyson 360 Eye. It is also smaller than comparable models, which means that it can get into complicated areas, even between the legs of a chair. And it will not get stuck or lost either because it has an intelligent Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) vision system for precise navigation.
What do we like about it?
The Dyson 360 Heurist has eight state-of-the-art sensors so that it can see exactly where it is going and, as a result, rarely encounters obstacles. Its full width-brush bars will also get right to the edges of rooms with excellent ground coverage.
That is one of the reasons why this is the perfect robot vacuum cleaner for those with a lot of furniture or legs. The Dyson 360 Heurist will continue to adapt and learn your home by mapping out its destination, so you do not have to worry about moving your house around every time you need to vacuum. It also means that you do not need to worry about damaging yourself or anything else in your home.
Anything else?
It can be operated by buttons on the unit itself or by using a smartphone app that is accessible for both iOS and Android OS. You can pair it with Amazon Alexa devices and control it with a voice command as well.
What do we not like about it?
Even though we have yet to review this robot vacuum cleaner, the cost could put most of the buyers off, but then again, it could cut the time you spend doing chores by half (or more!).
If you really want to check out the Dyson 360 Eye, Amazon’s vacuum cleaner robot shop.
Best robot vacuum for multi-surface: one of the first robot vacs that are still a strong contender If you like the smart features of the Dyson Heurist but don’t like the price tag, the iRobot Roomba can also identify a change in floor surfaces, so we can choose for the best robot vac for different floor surfaces.
Multi-surface, iRobot Roomba, is one of the most effective robot vacuum cleaners on the market, with its intelligent sensor capable of detecting different surfaces so that it can modify its cleaning method by moving from carpet to hardwood flooring, for example.
Smart features Like the others on the list, the Roomba 980 can also be scheduled to be cleaned from your smartphone, and it is also compatible with Alexa and Google for complete voice control.
The battery life is pretty good, but if you’ve given it a big job and it does not have enough power to finish it, it will return to the charging station instantly for more power before the task is resumed.
What don’t we like?
This is an expensive choice opposed to the cordless vacuum cleaner, but then Roomba is the cutting edge of robot vacuuming for years, so expect to get most of the features for your money such as 10-fold suction boost on the last model, numerous room navigation and dust trapping down to as little as 10 microns.
Best smart robot vacuum: have complete control over this device connected to your smartphone.
The Neato Botvac has amazing control options, which can all be done using their simple app, making it one of the best smartphone control robot vacuum cleaners.
Complete control
The app will let you view a map of where the vacuum was. This is great for those who get in from work and want to be sure, for example, that every area is clean for the kids to play on.
You can schedule cleaning from anywhere, anytime, so you don’t even have to be at home to get the tasks done.
Design
This is the best robot vacuum for corners and tight spaces thanks to the flat edge design, which is not offered by many other robot vacuums.
What we don’t like?
This is one of the most costly robot vacuum cleaners on the market, and while it is very smart, you have to make sure that your Wi-Fi connectivity is dependable enough because if it gets disconnected, the Botvac will forget what you said. Sometimes it can get stuck, but compared to other robot vacuums, it is much quieter and is especially good for those with allergies as it picks up pet hair extremely well.
4. ECOVACS DEEBOT N79S ROBOT VACUUM
Price: £219.98
The best affordable vacuum robot works well with Alexa, and it is an excellent value for money.
If you think Dyson or the iRobot sounds awesome, but you cannot condone spending that much money on a piece of technology to clean your home, then why not try the Ecovacs Deebot N79S? It is our best budget vacuum cleaner for those who want an affordable alternative.
Cleaning modes This little vac has a number of modes to choose from (Edge mode, Auto mode, and Spot Cleaning) and comes with a remote mode that is also quite responsive. Yeah, you can use your smartphone and choose which model you are looking for, but the vacuum seems to prefer to use a remote pairing.
Alexa
Deebot is also connecting with Alexa, so you can set it to clean with your voice.
What don’t we like about it?
It’s not an ugly vacuum by any means, but it’s probably one that’s a little bit on the plain side if you usually want to go for something jazzier. The end result after a session of vacuuming isn’t exactly the best either, but it’s going to suck enough to get surface dirt and dust off your hardwood floors and carpet.
Best robot vacuum for hard floors: wonderful navigator for full coverage when cleaning, One of the best robot vacuum cleaners for hardwood flooring as the navigation system signifies that it rarely goes into things.
Detection
Sensors are capable of detecting corners and obstructions in such a way that they aim to gently slide past them without causing any damage to your furniture. Sometimes this can mean that cleaning is a little slower than other models, but if you have a small home, you should not notice inefficiency.
Cleaning
Triple cleaning action means brushing, sweeping, and vacuuming, all in one movement. As a result, this, too, gets right into the corners, so that dust and dirt have nowhere to hide.
What don’t we like?
This robot vacuum is a little slow when it is going to vacuum rounds, but it does a thorough job, so it’s worth waiting for. You don’t have smartphone controls with this one, too, but you can still schedule it to clean while you’re out so you can get home to a little less work to do.
Now, there are surely some downsides to these gadgets in that they run on batteries and can not fully replace the suction power of the upright vacuum cleaner, but they also have a whole host of advantages.
Battery life
Check the model’s battery life. The models on our list all take at least 40 minutes – long enough to make an average two-bed flat or a middle-sized family home on the ground floor. Some models will go back to their docking station to recharge their batteries when they get low.
Size
A robot vacuum cleaner is a low profile and can get under all those furniture; no quantity of vacuum yoga will help you reach. You’re probably going to leave it out and dock somewhere, but they don’t take up a lot of space when they are out of use.
Sensor technology
These little gadgets use special sensor technology to move around the home, but many have a remote backup for tricky situations. Some have different configurations, which means that they can automatically adapt to different floor types when going from one room to the other.
They also come with convenient accessories known as ‘virtual walls,’ which make it possible for your new little friend to know which areas are out of bounds, so it does not end up causing trouble rather than cleaning it as it should be.
App control
Robot vacuum cleaners can also be operated by an app, which means that you can hover your house from a remote location – cleaning the house has never been so easy! They are smart enough to understand a map of your home so that they can easily get back to their charging station once the job is finished.
Price
Although a little expensive, these smart vacuums will definitely make your life a lot easier, and whether you want a budget option to see what it is all about, or whether you are looking to adopt a robot vacuum to become a vital member of your smart home, our top five list has it all.
Additional cleaning tools
There are some professional cleaning tools worthy of mention that do not fit into any of the categories mentioned above. These are either intended for specific tasks, such as hard floor cleaning or carpet cleaning, or hybrid machines that incorporate a number of features from the above classes and may, together with vacuuming, include steaming capabilities, sweeping attachments, shampoos, scrubs and even painting your floors.
Carpet cleaners
Carpet cleaners, sometimes referred to as deep cleaners, are primarily designed to help you clean your carpets. They are usually equipped with a water heater and special power brushes that extend deeper into your carpets and rugs, removing more dust and stains than common vacuums. Some of them are intended to replace professional rental units: by buying one of your own, you will not have to pay to rent one, and you may not need to use similar services provided by cleaning specialists. Two producers are mainly focused on the manufacture of these appliances: Hoover and Bissell.
Steam Mops
Deep cleaners clean carpets, while bare floors can be cleaned with special tools called steam mops. The approach of steam sanitation is not new, but manufacturing companies have created amazing appliances that put it into practice. There are steam mops that clean hard floors in less than 5 seconds, using only tap water. Most of them need less than a minute to get started. Some of them are even battery-operated, offering you maximum flexibility.
Hybrids
Even though people love specialized tools, most of us are also eager to use sophisticated appliances that can help with a wide range of cleaning tasks. You will need to vacuum your home, but you may also need to remove dust, clean the insides of your car, sanitize your hardwood floors, scrub the kitchen tiles, and so on. Following this concept, manufacturers have built hybrid cleaning tools.
Price Tag
I know most of you guys think this is the principal indicator. No matter how much funds you have, you are most likely to want to buy the best product for your budget. As people tend to define, so will I: you can also buy a cheap brand that will take you through the next few years, or you can invest in a vacuum cleaner that can last for the next 25 years. Both approaches are completely valid for the IMO. Would you like to pay around $100 for an upright? You can, and you’re going to get a basic model that’s going to do the job just fine. Would you like to buy a serious tool for $400-$500? You’re going to get a cleaner you’re going to use with pleasure, warranty, accessories, great filtration systems, and so on. Would you like to buy a handheld vacuum? They’re cheaper; you’re going to spend between $30 and $150 anywhere.
Suction and Power
Suction power means the difference in pressure caused by the vacuum pump. The typical vacuum cleaner has a suction capacity of 20kPa. The pump reduces the pressure inside the vacuum from 100kPa (normal atmospheric pressure) to 80kPa. As you can anticipate, higher suction is equal to more power. Generally, producers only state the input power in watts or amps, which relates to how much electricity the product consumes (and has little to do with the actual suction power, which depends on the design of the brand, the filtration system, and so on).
Filters
One of the most important issues in the use of vacuum cleaners is the circulation of dust. The air exhausted by the pump includes small dust particles that are sent directly to the user’s lungs. No matter how successful the filtration system is, ultra-fine dust particles and potentially dangerous microorganisms, such as mites, still pass through the air. This is not because of technical limitations, but because the perfect filtration system will close up immediately and become ineffective. Over the last few years, manufacturers have tried to make a better compromise between filtering efficiency and ensuring optimum airflow by developing the resulting filtration options:
Disposable Filters
They require to be replaced after a couple of months. The main con is high maintenance.
Washable filters, please. Recently, manufacturers have filters made of foam-like materials that can last for years. You can also use your dishwasher or your washing machine to clean them, wait for them to dry (very important!!!), and put them back in the vacuum.
Cyclonic separation, the air absorbed into the vacuum is cycled so fast that the dust particles are forced to slide into the dirt container by centrifugal force.
Water Filtration
The air sucked through the water layer, wetting the dust particles that are becoming heavy and can no longer fly. The main drawback is that after each use, you have to clean the water compartment for sanitary reasons.
HEPA filtration
Specially designed for sensitive, allergic people, HEPA filter traps most ultra-fine particles and releases virtually no amount of dust. HEPA filters 99.97 percent of the dust particles–all particles 0.3 microns in diameter and higher are sifted.
Odor Filters
Built of active coils, these try to reduce dust along with any unusual smell.
Other considerations
Weight
The trick is to purchase one that has a self-propelled feature that will come handy, especially if you need to vacuum large surfaces. If weight is a matter for you (i.e., if you have back problems or are just a comfortable person), you can focus on the stick versions that most manufacturers produce at the moment. You can find vacuum cleaners that weigh as low as 4-5 pounds but be careful, these models don’t work so well on deep carpet rugs, and you will end up pushing hard to get into the root of the fibers. As for handheld vacs, weight is a matter of concern. Buyers want these to be light and flexible.
Cordless vs. Corded
One of the latest developments in the vacuum cleaning business is the production of cordless devices. However, if you have an average or large property rentals, cordless vacuums may not be the answer for you, as even the top-rated models last about 30 minutes before they need to be recharged. There is also a decrease in suction power, which is relatively small for cordless equipment.
With/without a Bag
Bagged vacs require a new bag every couple of months, depending on your frequency of cleaning. If you do not like the idea of purchasing and replacing bags every once in a while, you can opt for a bagless model, an eco-friendly method that some people take with pleasure. The downside is that you’ve got to clean the dust container and remove the dirt and hair that are stuck. Some famous vacuum cleaners enhance this process by using better fundamental designs that make it easier to access the dust cup.
Warranty
A lot of vacuum cleaners come with a warranty that lasts within 1 and 5 years. Like any other appliance, many common vacuum cleaners have a 1-year warranty that includes both parts and labor costs. Almost all retail stores enable you to register your product for warranty. As additional information, a 5-year warranty (offered by, i.e., Dyson) is an outstanding indication of the quality of the product.
If you’re spring cleaning your Airbnb you’ll find this article very useful
If you are an Airbnb host, there is no better season than spring to spruce up your Airbnb and do some deep cleaning to your unit. As those summer bookings come near and warmer days start to approach, it is time to roll up your sleeves, open the windows wide, and give your Airbnb the thorough spring cleaning it deserves.
Here’s why.
Regardless of how rigorous your cleaning routine is or how much your guests respect your space, time inevitably takes a toll on all Airbnbs. There are normal wear and tear, dings, but there’s also random stuff that only a deep and thorough cleaning will catch. What if your guest flipped on a reading lamp only to discover that a leggy spider had crawled into the shade’s pleated fabric and died? And what daily Airbnb cleaning routine checks for that?
Well, this guide does. Here is our comprehensive Spring-Cleaning checklist to help you make sure that your Airbnb is squeaky clean, and all nooks and crannies have been dealt with.
•Empty all drawers and cupboards (one at a time!) and thoroughly wipe down surfaces. Throw away items that are no longer being used, replenish what is missing and reorganize the space.
•Clean the oven, inside and out.
•Clean the hob and cooker hood.
•Clean the microwave inside and out.
•Wipe down all appliances like the coffee machine, kettle, toaster, etc. Think about descaling the coffee machine and kettle if need be.
•Wipe down splashback.A solution of diluted vinegar put in a spray bottle and a window scraper works well for stubborn stains!
•Empty the fridge and freezer, pull out each shelf, and clean.Wipe down the exterior too. Again, use a diluted vinegar solution in a spray bottle or vanilla spray as this also does a stellar job.
•If possible, move the refrigerator out from its spot, then vacuum and mop where it normally sits.It’s quite startling what you will find lurking behind there!
•Clean all rubbish bins, inside and out. If possible, power wash and thoroughly sanitize the bottoms of all your trash cans.
•Remove dirt and dust from the bathroom exhaust fan.
•Empty the cupboards and drawers and wipe down surfaces. Throw away any items that are not being used, replenish what is missing, and reorganize the space.
•Replace or clean the shower caddy (if you have one).
•Scrub bathroom tiles, particularly the grout.
•Take a blacklight (if available) near your toilet to see any spots you might have missed.
•Dust picture frames, ceiling fans, tops of shelves, light fixtures, etc. Clean lamps (if you have some) and remove the fabric too to give it a deeper clean.
•Dust the window sills.
•Remove dirty marks from walls and doors – white magic sponge erasers work wonders, so does sugar soap.
•Remove fly screens from all windows and brush them down from top to bottom with a dustpan brush. Best to perform this outside!
•Where possible, move furniture out of the way, e.g., cabinets, shelves, beds, etc. and vacuum and mop over the places they normally sit.
•Wipe down every skirting board with a damp cloth.
•Do you have board games and puzzles for guests’ use?Now is the time to go through them, clean, throw out what could no longer be used, and put things back in order.
•Clean all mirrors.
•Clean windows – a good squeegee, a little dishwashing liquid, and a splash of ammonia in a bucket of hot water works amazingly on your windows.
•Get down and scrub tight corners on your hard floor surfaces and other areas your mop doesn’t properly reach, e.g., behind doors, under your kitchen bench and bathroom corners, under sinks and behind toilets.
•Sanitize light switches, remote controls, and doorknobs.
•If you have a fireplace or wood heater, have the flue cleaned and the unit serviced.
•Clean, or organize to have cleaned, your air conditioner filters.
•Remove sofa cushions and thoroughly vacuum the sofa bases. Vacuum over sofas where necessary too.
•Replace the batteries in smoke detectors.
•If you have carpets, have them professionally cleaned.
•Fall and winter tuck all sorts of goodies in between the window panes and window screens. Open up each set in your Airbnb and put that vacuum extension to use. Wipe down any mud, muck, and grime that still lingers.
Even if you’ve mastered your deep cleaning routine, a common mistake we see Airbnb hosts make is to overlook the ‘bigger picture’ presentation of the properties.
Some tasks, like removing cobwebs, window cleaning, carpet steam cleaning, and pressure cleaning may not need to be done every deep cleaning session, but they absolutely can build up over time and take away from the presentation of your Airbnb.
So, build a plan to vacuum out your window tracks, soak your range hood filters, dust those blinds, and spot clean your walls! 🙂
What if You’re Strapped on Time?
As an Airbnb host, you have got more than enough on your plate with managing guest bookings as well as providing a wonderful and excellent guest experience.
Free up more of your precious time by opting for an Airbnb cleaning company (that’s what we come in) that lets you schedule all of your upcoming deep cleanings, send messages and share notes, re-schedule cleanings, and even submit payments with just a few clicks in an online platform.
You don’t need me to tell you that the world is being turned on its head right now.
As the Coronavirus pandemic spreads we find whole countries on lockdown and our daily lives disrupted beyond our imagination. Every sector of business and leisure has been affected.
Many offices and schools are closed. The travel industry has been brought to its knees. Shops are closed. Personal space has become very precious.
With the constant bombardment of updates, information and advice it’s not easy to know how best to react. Obviously our primary focus has to be on hygiene. Both our personal cleanliness and the cleaning of the spaces that we inhabit.
Here at Doinn we’ve been offering cleaning services for years but more extreme circumstances call for more extreme measures so as of this week we have introduced more extreme cleaning services.
#staysafe Disinfectant Cleaning Services
Our #staysafe services raise the cleaning bar on a number of levels
Our cleaning companies ensure that well-trained and properly supervised staff adhere to the best practice cleaning procedures and regulations, giving you peace of mind that your staff or guests have the hygienically clean, healthy and safe environment they need.
Cleaning staff are provided with disposable decontamination suits and respirators or masks and other relevant personal protection equipment, depending on the services provided.
We have a number of disinfection options that include decontamination cleaning and chemical cleaning using various specialist equipment like electrostatic spray guns, ozone misters and nebulizers.
With these services, you can rest assured that your offices, dorms, properties, apartments, hotel spaces, schools, etc will be disinfected to the highest industrial standards.
We are currently providing these services to cities in Spain, Portugal and England.
If you would like to know more or would like to book a deep disinfectant clean please visit staysafe.doinn.co
I’m a member of a lot of Airbnb/vacation rental/hospitality groups on Facebook and Linkedin and understandably there is a lot of concern regarding the survival of our businesses as property owners and managers.
This has been exacerbated by the likes of Airbnb changing their extenuating circumstances policy and refunding guests that had booked – REGARDLESS OF THE CANCELLATION POLICY THAT WAS IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
In this short article, we’ll be looking at how you could take a different approach to your target market and rebook some of those lost weeks
Urban Properties
If your properties are located in a city then the coming months are going to be difficult. Let’s face it, traveling to heavily populated areas at the moment isn’t top of anyone’s bucket list right now.
But offices are closing and businesses are encouraging their staff to work from home.
The problem with that is that the schools have closed so the children are at home and we all know how difficult it can be concentrating while the kids are running around saying mummy mummy or daddy daddy, we’re bored.
As the owner of a city-centre property, you have a perfect solution to this problem. You have a space where someone can work from home, with wifi, in peace and quiet. They can make tea and coffee and breakfast and lunch as needed.
This is the working equivalent of a staycation. Your ideal clients, in this case, are on your doorstep.
The person doing the renting can even claim the rent on expenses.
Start with friends and family. You may already have heard some of them complaining about trying to work from home amid the chaos of the cartoon network blaring out from the TV and ‘I’m bored’ being screamed every ten minutes. Post in local Facebook groups, telling people that you have a quiet space available for work. Contact your Chamber Of Commerce.
The largest segment of the population lives in cities and the Coronavirus loves cities. Many cities are already in lockdown and many more will become so.
Lockdown means being locked up.
If you own a rural property you are in a position to offer a genuine ‘Escape to the country’ option for families that are worried about the pandemic.
This could be especially appealing to families with older members. Grandparents are more susceptible to the darker health issues of the virus so a temporary move to the countryside could be beneficial all round.
There’s a smaller risk of contracting the disease.
If the family has young ones they’ll be able to play outside.
The whole family can go for walks together
Self-quarantine with outdoor space is far more agreeable than being locked up in the city.
Once again, you’ll need to give your property a deep clean afterwards but cleaning after guests is better than cleaning after the property has been empty for months
Again, listen to friends and family. Maybe you already know a family that is worried and would like the option that you can provide
Think about rewriting the headlines and copy of your Airbnb (and other) listings.
Look for groups on Facebook where you can tell people about what you have to offer and the advantages that come with it
Being Realistic
The coming months are going to be very difficult for those of us in the travel and hospitality sector.
It’s highly unlikely that you are going to command your usual rates so think about offering deals.
I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve heard ‘I’d rather be empty than give discounts’ but now is the time that owners like me and you are genuinely going to be empty so you may want to reconsider your own discount strategy.
Cleaning Services
We offer effective, efficient and thorough disinfection services which are critical to help control the COVID-19 pandemic
As you’ll know by now, the news is full of worrying stories about the spread of the new Coronavirus. Airbnb and other holiday rental Facebook groups are overflowing with questions regarding bookings, cancellations and cleaning.
In this Cleaning Your Airbnb – A Coronavirus Special article, we provide some basic answers along with videos and links to the latest information regarding Covid19 and your Airbnb rental business.
The COVID-19 is a relatively new virus that had not previously been detected before the outbreak that was started in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It is part of a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2012 are also caused by Coronaviruses.
How Does COVID-19 Spread?
The virus initially emerged from an animal source which they are still trying to identify. COVID-19 is easily spread from person-to-person who are within close contact of about 6 feet.
The virus is spread when an infected person sneezes and coughs. The droplets could land in the noses or mouths of other people and they, in turn inhale the virus into their lungs.
People are deemed to be most contagious when they are at the peak of their illness.
Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, even if you don’t have this virus. It’s just the right thing to do.
Coronavirus COVID-19 Reported Cases
There are currently more than 116,000 cases confirmed, and more than 4,000 reported deaths. Most of the recorded fatalities were in China where the virus started, but now there are also reported deaths in France, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Italy, the Philippines, and Japan. There are reported cases from Singapore to the United States, and a lot of other countries, as well.
Coronavirus COVID-19 infections can cause mild symptoms like sore throat, cough, runny nose, and fever. If left untreated it could lead to breathing difficulties or pneumonia. In other cases, it could be fatal.
People with pre-existing medical conditions such as immunity diseases, diabetes and heart problems, and older folks, seem to be more vulnerable to being infected with the virus.
Protecting Yourselves
Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them well with soap and water. This kills any viruses that could be on your hands.
Here’s a short video to show the best way to do this
Social Distancing
Maintain at least 4 feet of distance between yourself and anyone who is sneezing or coughing.
If you are too close and someone is sneezing or coughing, they might spray small droplets which could potentially contain the virus.
Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth:
Remember, your hands can pick up the virus, and once contaminated they can transfer the virus to your nose, eyes, or mouth. Then the virus can enter your lungs and make you sick.
Not touching your face is easier said than done but try to make a conscious effort not to do this if you have come into contact with others or objects that may be infected.
The best advice that I came across was to clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub straight after visiting the supermarket. Supermarket baskets and trollies have been handled by a lot of people, so bear this in mind after shopping.
Practice Good Respiratory Hygiene
Dear hosts, if you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue. Immediately throw the used tissue in a covered trash can.
Feeling sick and having trouble breathing? Stay home and seek medical attention.
Airbnb and Coronavirus COVID-19
Given the health risks posed by this COVID-19 virus, all hosts and guests should review their local authorities’ travel guidance and health advisories in relation to this outbreak. Take the necessary precautions to protect yourself when hosting or traveling.
As a property owner or host you might be able to cancel a reservation if the guests are traveling from an affected area. Likewise, a guest can cancel a reservation as well.
This information, called as Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Premises With Transient Exposure to Confirmed Cases(s) of the COVID-19 is from the latest document from the National Environmental Agency of Singapore. Why Singapore, you ask? Because Singapore has the best cleaning document since one of their hotels was infected.
Cleaning for a space where there was a confirmed CO-VID19 case present for a short span of time.Hopefully, you won’t have anyone in your property with COVID-19, but just in case, here are ways to sanitize your place.
Right now, they have discovered that the CO-VID19 virus can survive on surfaces of different materials for up to 3 days. Hence, it is of utmost importance to keep your property clean.
We found this useful video about how to best go about cleaning your property (although the lady in the video is in bare feet, which doesn’t make any sense whatsoever)
Cleaning your Airbnb/Property
Prepare all the necessary cleaning supplies before you even enter the home.
•Disposable gloves
•Disinfectant solution
•Mop
•Trash bags
•Pail
•Disposable rags or wipes
•Change of clothes
Getting Ready
•Before you begin touching anything, put on a pair of gloves.
•Do not touch your face, including your mouth, eyes, and nose.
•Keep the windows wide open for better ventilation.
Cleaning Products
Don’t combine different cleaning agents. Bleach can be used as a disinfectant (1 part bleach in 49 parts water). If bleach isn’t available, then alcohol can be used to sanitize surfaces.
There is a list of common cleaning products that are effective, such as Clorox Disinfectant Wipes, Clean-Up All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach, Mr. Muscle Magic Cleaner, Clorox,and much more.
Products Recommendations from National Environment Agency:
All surfaces should be wiped down and sanitized since you have no idea what was touched and potentially contaminated. Think about everything. Use a different set of cleaning agents and tools for the bathroom. Seek medical attention if you feel ill.
Cleaning Your Airbnb – A Coronavirus Special
Cleaning Your Property for the COVID-19
Mop the floor with the disinfectant or bleach solution from corner to corner. This is your first floor clean up.
Soak wipes or rags with the bleach or disinfectant solution and wipe down everything, from walls, light switches, blinds, door handles, windows. This is a deep and thorough cleaning,my dear hosts.
Clean the bathroom with a separate brush and cloth.
You will also need to wash all fabrics, cushion covers, curtains, etc.
Now it’s time for the second floor clean up.
Throw away all used rags, wipes, and waste into double trash bags. Remove the gloves and wash your hands well with soap and water.
Throw away the gloves as well into the double-lined trash bags.
Shower up, wash your hair, and change your clothes, immediately after the cleanup.
Air out the house.
Dear hosts, we don’t know what is going to be the end result of the COVID-19. Information and preparation instead of worrying and panicking is imperative. Anxiety and fear due to misinformation could lead to discrimination towards people who were in quarantine.
Here at Doinn we provide professional cleaning and linen services in over 80 cities in Europe. If you would like to know more about how we can help your Airbnb/holiday rental business please feel free to get in touch.
Where From Here?
What are you doing to protect yourselves and your businesses?
Do you have any tips that you could share with us and our readers?
