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What are the cleaning protocols for short-term rentals?

Question: I have an apartment that I rent to folks via Airbnb. I’m trying to follow all of the coronavirus cleaning protocols, but it’s not clear to me whether Airbnb is really following protocols or using this as an opportunity to push their *new line of cleaning products*! Is there a codified set of protocols I can reference from some ideally non-biased group, like CDC or WHO or something? For example, in addition to the standard cleaning protocols like sterilizing and frequently wiping down every surface, Airbnb is asking us to leave 24 hours between each rental and follow a long list of cleansing routines, such as washing curtains and sanitizing every dish and pot and pan each rental. Am I really supposed to take the curtains down and wash them between every rental? What about the carpets then?

Answer: When profit and health collide, it’s hard to disentangle what is necessary vs. nice. CDC does offer a set of guidelines for hotels, resorts, and lodges, which I think would apply to short-term rentals as well. CDC also offers these guidelines for “cleaning and disinfecting your facility”, which would also likely be applicable to your situation. In reading through these guidelines a few things leap out:

  • The guideline re: 24 hours in between rentals seems only to apply in the case of a sick renter. IF someone has been sick in the space, wait at least 24 hours or as long as possible to enter in order to clean and disinfect after the person has checked out. And IF you had a sick renter, then more complex cleaning protocols should be followed, like cleaning the carpets with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter (note: there are many vacuums that have HEPA filters and they aren’t all that expensive). There are no other guidelines (to my knowledge) about other wait times in between rentals (e.g. when the person who checked out was well).
  • For disinfectant, you can use any typical household cleaner on EPA’s List N, which includes bleach (which you can dilute as an effective disinfectant, per CDC guidelines). You can look up the products you have and see if they are on the list.
  • For soft surfaces, like curtains, CDC suggests that you either clean and launder them OR use a household disinfectant (see “soft surfaces” here).

Please take a read through and hopefully the guidance provided will answer your questions. Good luck!