10 Tips to Manage Airbnb Cleaners in Tampa, FL

As a host or co-host managing cleaners for an Airbnb property in Tampa, FL can be a daunting task. These tasks can especially be daunting when cleaners are being managed for multiple properties. Nevertheless, having good cleaning management systems in place is vital for the success of an Airbnb business. 

Good cleaning management systems will make guests feel more comfortable which will lead to five-star reviews, “Sparking Clean” tags, and ultimately more bookings. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 tips for effectively managing Airbnb cleaners in Tampa, FL.  

1. Hire Professional Cleaners       

In order to effectively manage cleaners in Tampa, FL, it is first important to hire qualified cleaners that are trustworthy and capable of the tasks needed. This can be accomplished in four easy steps:

1. Collect a resume. A resume is useful in order to see an applicant’s skills and work history.
2. Verify references. It is recommended to have applicants submit 2-3 references for verification. By asking the right questions, references can give you key information about the applicant. For example, a reference will be able to provide information on the applicant’s work ethic, integrity, and skill set.
3. Perform background checks. Many people skip performing background checks, but it is an essential tool to use when screening a cleaner to verify trustworthiness. Without a doubt, cleaners need to be trusted because of the access they will have to the Airbnb property. Unfortunately, most hosts and co-hosts cannot be at the Airbnb property every time a cleaner is around. Therefore, the cleaners need to be trusted to care for your property and possessions. Cleaners also need to be trusted to respect guests’ and guests’ property. Furthermore, the cleaner must be trusted to only access your home when their services are needed.
4. Meet the applicants in person. Before hiring a cleaner always meet with the applicant in person first. This first meeting can be treated as the applicant’s interview. Ask the applicant questions that are important to the success of the Airbnb business. For instance, ask the applicant, “if you are sick or unable to do the job, is there someone that can work in place of you?”

Related: Conducting Background Investigations and Reference Checks 

2. Provide Clear Guidelines

It is the responsibility of the host or co-host to clearly outline guidelines for the cleaners. One way to provide clear guidelines is by doing a thorough walkthrough of the property with the cleaner when they first start. Go through each room in the property and explain to the cleaner the expectations of how each space should be cleaned. Another way to provide clear guidelines to the cleaner is to actually clean with the cleaner the first time. 

Furthermore, be sure that there are clear guidelines for what the cleaner’s responsibilities are. Do you want the cleaner to wash all of the linens after each guest checks out? Does the cleaner need to take out the trash? Does the cleaner need to restock essential items? It can not be expected that the cleaner will know exactly what will need to be done. For this reason, whoever is managing the property needs to make expectations very clear to the cleaners.  

3. Use Check Lists 

One of the best tools for cleaners is a checklist. A checklist is used to highlight all of the most important areas of the Airbnb property that need to be cleaned. Furthermore, the checklist helps the cleaner not to forget areas that might not be in eyesight. For instance, if guests are expected to take out the trash the cleaner may not think to check the pantry where the trash is stored. The checklist will list the trash pantry so that the cleaner does not forget to clean it. Also, the checklist can be used to reinforce the duties of the cleaner such as restocking and laundry. Most cleaners clean several properties and may forget their different responsibilities at each different location. This why a checklist is important.

If you are looking for examples of checklists, there are hundreds on Pinterest.com. Check out this one by Spot On Maids that is a great checklist to start with.

4. Provide Feedback

Every time a guest leaves a cleaning review, send the review to your cleaners. Cleaners, just like everyone else, want to be recognized for their hard work. In contrast, they will want to hear constructive criticism. These reviews and comments can help the cleaners to improve their performance. Likewise, OMP.gov discusses feedback in an article titled Feedback is Critical to Improving Performance. The article states that it is imperative to provide feedback in a specific and timely way in a manner that will best improve performance. 

5. Used Fixed Rates 

Using fixed rates for cleaning services in Tampa, FL is a controversial topic. This is because most cleaners in this area are paid on an hourly basis. Unfortunately, paying hourly does not work well in the Airbnb business because it is too difficult to track. To solve the discrepancy, there is an easy three-step solution:

1. Work with the cleaner to determine what would be a fair hourly rate.
2. Set a timer to see how long it takes the cleaner to clean the Airbnb property.
3. Multiply the hourly rate by the time it took the cleaner to clean the property and set that as the fixed rate.

For example, if a property owner and cleaner agree on $20 per hour as a fair rate and it takes the cleaner four hours to clean the property, then a fair fixed rate would be $80.

6. Provide a Tip

Providing a monthly tip to your cleaner is a great way to provide a reward for a job well done. In Tampa, FL there are a lot of opportunities for cleaning services. Providing a tip will incentivize the cleaner to work with you and do a good job every time. In order for the cleaner to receive a tip three expectations must be met.

First of all, there must be a sparkling clean tag left on your Airbnb review at the end of each month. Second of all, the property must have a five-star cleaning review at the end of each month. Finally, there cannot be any negative cleaning feedback left in reviews. Do not make any exceptions to these guidelines!

How much should you tip the cleaner? That is completely up to you!  I believe that $20 per property listing is a fair tip rate to start at. Remember, that the more you tip, the harder the cleaner will work which will ultimately earn you more money! If a cleaner meets your cleaning expectations for six to twelve months in a row then I would recommend providing an extra tip. For instance, if you have had five-star cleaning reviews, sparkling clean tags, and no cleaning complaints for one year, then I would provide a $50 tip. Trust me when I say that if you treat your cleaners well, it will pay off.

6. Provide the Necessary Tools

Nothing is more frustrating than when you don’t have the tools to do your job effectively. For this reason, create a communication system with your cleaners so that they can notify you when items need to be replaced. You can also be proactive and have essential items restocked regularly.

Keep in mind, that you may need additional cleaning supplies if your property is in Tampa, FL. When guests vacation in Tampa, it is very likely they will go to the beach. This will create sand all over your property. Ensure the cleaner has a good vacuum, and broom to get all of the sand out.

7. Use Automation Hacks

Automation hacks are used to make your life easier! Thankfully, there are several that can be used for your cleaning systems. One automation hack that has made my life easier is Zapier. Through Zapier, you can link your Google calendar to an SMS app called Twilio. First, you will link your Airbnb calendar to your Google calendar which will pull in all of your bookings. Then, you will create an automatic message that will be sent to your cleaner each time a guest is scheduled to check-in and check out through Twilio. Yes, your cleaner will have to be able to utilize texting, or at least be able to know how to open a text.

This is a great system because it leaves little room for error. As long as your Google calendar is correct, then your cleaner should never miss a cleaning. Furthermore, Zapier is a great automation hack because it decreases work for the property owner. By having the automatic messages in place less communication is needed with the cleaner.

8. Ensure Effective Communication 

Communication is the key to successful cleaning management. As discussed earlier, automation hacks can make communication extremely easy for you. Also, be sure that cleaners feel comfortable calling you anytime they need something. You would never want your cleaner to feel scared or uneasy about approaching you. Be kind and understanding when a cleaner needs something.

10. Have a Back-Up Plan

Having a back-up plan for your property to be cleaned is extremely important! People get sick, hurt, or leave the country! You get the point. We are all human, so ensure that you have a backup plan. One way to protect yourself is to work with a cleaning agency. Agency cleaners have several employees and can quickly replace a cleaner for you if the one assigned to you cannot make it for any reason. Another way to protect yourself is to make sure you know how to clean your own property. This is important because if worse comes to worst then you can do the cleaning. 

As you can see, these 10 cleaning management tips are sure to make your life easier. Not only will they make your life easier, but they will earn you more bookings and ultimately earn you more income.

Don’t have time to implement these tips? Contact our Airbnb and vacation rental property management team at Breeze Co-Host today and see how we can do this work for you!