CLEAN UP YOUR ACT: Tips for Recruiting the Most Efficient Cleaners for Your STR Business

CLEAN UP YOUR ACT: Tips for Recruiting the Most Efficient and Reliable Cleaners for Your Short-Term Rental Business?

It’s time to “clean up your act”. But what does this actually look like in a short-term rental and Airbnb business? Usually trivialised by business owners - the task of recruiting the right cleaning professionals for your properties is the difference between repeat business and an empty calendar.

I can vouch from personal experience how absolutely integral this responsibility is (and no, it’s not just about running your finger across a once-dusty window sill to confirm certain standards of cleanliness). Stick with me over the next few tips, while I talk you through what really matters when recruiting professional cleaners.?

Dishing up the Dirt: (This is Super Important to Your Short-Term Rental Business)

Before I dive into my top tips, it’s worth highlighting exactly why cleaning standards and professional cleaning professionals make the foundations of any STR business.

This will be the case for you, whether you have one property or ten.

Numerous reports suggest that cleanliness is the second most important thing guests look for when booking a short-term rental property (following trust and security). Not only is an unclean property unpleasant to live in - and impossible to relax in - the potential reputational damage for your brand is HUGE. In fact, I can 100% guarantee that if a guest isn’t happy with the levels of cleanliness in your property, then they’ll write about it very honestly on a public review.

Just imagine how much this could negatively impact future bookings and guests who were at the cusp of staying with you; but changed their minds last minute - because of your poor cleanliness ratings. No amount of marketing or flashy PR can fix that for you.?

There’s also the widely known “C-word” to think about. In the age of a global pandemic, travellers are hyper-sensitive about the hygiene and cleanliness standards of short-term rental properties. In fact, now is the time to triple-down on this area of your business and invest good money and resources into getting it right. Failure to do so will only put you miles behind the competition - who are busy boasting about their immaculate rooms, shiny kitchen worktops and laundry and linen changing facilities.?

Right, have I inspired you to take this cleaning malarkey seriously? Let’s get started with the tips and uncover why cleaning professionals are the undercover superheroes of our short-term rental businesses.?

Balance Attention-to-Detail with Speed?

You’re more than likely going to find a professional cleaner or cleaning agency who “can clean”. They’ll have a good understanding of what cleaning products to use and what kind of a “standard” to work towards, for all your properties.

However, this doesn’t guarantee that your designated cleaner will “sweat the small stuff” - and ideally, this is what you need them to do.

Simply wiping over visible surfaces (and expecting to get away with it) isn’t enough. Your designated cleaners need to have meticulous attention to detail, to ensure that the cleanliness of your property is easier to maintain in the long run; and above all, that it remains a safe and hygienic environment.?

While attention to detail is key, this doesn’t justify a cleaner spending long-drawn hours tending to just one room. You want them to be efficient, yes - but you also need them to turnaround your properties quickly, as speed and efficiency is a big deal in our world.

Once you’ve identified the perfect balance in your cleaners - then you’re onto a winner.?

Ensure Communication is Clear, Kind, and Constructive?

Communication is a two-way street, so you have an important part to play in this as well.

We’re in the business of hospitality (the business of people), so communication is one of the top skills you need to master, in order to successfully build a short-term rental empire. Naturally, at some point of the professional relationship between you and a cleaner, there are going to be comments, feedback and maybe even guest complaints.

First of all, ensure that you communicate any concerns - external or internal - clearly. Every business relationship needs clarity of expectations in order to work; and this is no different.

It’s equally integral to see how a professional cleaner communicates with you. Are they comfortable with handling feedback? Do they take constructive criticism on board? Or do they simply become complacent once they’ve figured out a working pattern with you?

I should also mention at this point, that if complaints start cropping up early on into the working relationship, then this is usually a big red flag. So, be sure to address it ASAP; otherwise it will escalate and ultimately create bigger problems in your business.?

When You Find a High Quality Cleaner, Make Sure You Can Keep Them

Reliable and efficient cleaners are like gold dust in a short-term rental business. They ensure the smooth running of operations, protect your brand’s reputation and boost guest satisfaction. Believe me when I say, when you find the right person/ team - the benefits for you are copious!

So, as well as learning how to recruit the right cleaners, it’s paramount to know how to keep them and develop a good, long-term relationship with them.

Numerous things come into play here; and a lot of it will come down to your leadership qualities - which ought to be a blend of soft and hard skills.?

> If you’ve found a high quality cleaner who can ensure a quick turnaround of your properties, be sure to pay them their worth. Think of it as a business investment (because you will reap the rewards). Remember, cleaners are allowed to give their time to another short-term rental business, if that business is giving them a better offer.?

> Acknowledge and appreciate your cleaners. Everybody likes to be appreciated; and this is especially the case for people who work hard behind-the-scenes at a job that is often laborious (and can seem thankless). If your cleaners know how much they’re helping you, the rest of your team and your brand - and how they’re contributing towards the growth of your business, they’ll feel more motivated to do a good job for you. They’ll also form an unspoken loyalty towards you; and be far less likely to leave you for a competitor.?

> Streamline and simplify the working relationship. As you know, I’m big on systems and processes - and there are tools you can use to monitor the working hours, rotas, and special requests. Trello is a great platform to get started on, as it creates a work-flow system that keeps everyone in the loop. Best of all, it’s free and easy to use.

> Provide ongoing training and support. You can aid the professional development of your cleaning staff by offering training and ongoing feedback and support. Not only will this up-skill your team members (and thus, benefit your business), it’ll make them feel more valued - which will really boost team morale.?

There’s a lot to sink your fingers into, right? I hope this hasn’t given you some deep-seated insights as to why it’s so important to prioritise the effective recruitment of cleaners for your serviced accommodation company.?

If you’d like more tips and advice, or simply want to check out how we run things at Luke Stays - then do continue to follow me on all socials and check out my brand new property coaching club, “Room 22 ”, where we’re always helping STR business owners like you.?

In the meantime, keep building and bettering -

Ryan.