Bed & Breakfast Cleaning Amid COVID-19

As the travel industry begins to reintroduce itself into the new normal, stringent cleaning measures will not only be vital to the health and safety of your guests but will also be a key factor in your inn’s success. A fundamental component is ensuring guests’ trust that the property has been properly disinfected and cleaned.

Here’s a deeper look into the new cleaning protocols and initiatives designed as a guide to ensure guest safety and peace of mind during their stay.   

AHLA Safe Stay

With most hotels upholding a strong commitment to safety and cleanliness, the American Hotels & Lodging Association (AHLA) created a downloadable safety guideline for COVID-19. According to AHLA, “Safe Stay^® is an industry-wide initiative focused on enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19.” Topics such as social distancing, disinfecting protocols, employee health, and signage are covered in the document. Visit their website for access to the download and a plethora of cleaning resources.

Airbnb Enhanced Cleaning Initiative

The enhanced Airbnb host cleaning protocol includes specific COVID-19 prevention, such as the use of PPE, masks and gloves for hosts and/or their cleaners, as well as disinfectants that are approved by regulatory authorities. The CDC also recommended a 24-hour wait period before entering as a precaution to address the possibility that particles remain airborne for a few hours. If hosts are unable to commit to the new protocol, they are being asked to opt into a new feature called Booking Buffer. Airbnb states that this feature, “… creates a vacancy period between stays. Hosts can commit to keeping their home empty for a set period in between stays, with no activity other than cleaning. Reservations will be automatically blocked during that time frame, currently set at 72 hours.”

VRBO New Cleaning Guidelines & Program

In an effort to help travelers find clean and sanitized bed and breakfasts, VRBO has introduced a new program that guides guests to trusted clean properties. Innkeepers will be able to indicate in their listing if their property is cleaned with disinfectant, if they offer a contactless check-in, and if the rooms are unavailable between guests.

This program was developed with government and medical experts to provide new search filters for enhancing travelers’ confidence they will be safe while traveling.

Tips for Cleaning & Disinfecting Your Inn

Cleaning is never a small task but one of the most important things you can do for yourself, your bed and breakfast, and your guests. Disinfecting your property helps prevent the spread of disease, including the coronavirus. If a person coughs or sneezes on a surface or rubs their eyes and then touches a doorknob, light switch, or any common household item, those often used items are infected with germs. Long story short … it’s possible for a guest to check out and leave the space contaminated for the next visitor. This is why strong cleaning protocols are vital.

Your “new normal” cleaning process you employ will help sanitize many surfaces, particularly paying attention to the high-touch areas of your space. Adding extra steps for sterilization will help ensure the safety and cleanliness of your property. 

• For high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, sink fixtures, TV remotes, and light switches, use a two-step approach. Begin by using a detergent and hot water, then following with a disinfectant to kill germs. 
• For low-touch surfaces such as walls and blinds, clean by using hot water and soap. 
• For items that need to be laundered, make sure to wear disposable gloves when handling and wash using the hottest water setting. 
• Avoid touching your face while cleaning and wear gloves. 
• During and after cleaning, make sure to open up the windows and ventilate the property. 
• Verify that every kitchen item has been thoroughly cleaned. Having a cleaning checklist will help. You can download our Simply Spotless Cleaning Checklist at the end of this post.
• Rearrange spaces that were once used as common areas for guests. Lessen the amount of people for meals such as breakfast or bring to their individual rooms. For common areas, depending on city laws, masks may be encouraged between guests and employees.
• Offer hand sanitizer and masks throughout your bed and breakfast.

Cleaning your bed and breakfast doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Make sure to use proper PPE and follow the guidelines of the CDC. We also compiled a cleaning checklist along with a COVID-19 printout for your guests to show the efforts you are making to ensure their safety.

Stay safe and keep your property clean and insured. Speak with one of our CBIZ Innkeepers Insurance experts today! 

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