As Oscar Wilde said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”, and a guest’s first impression of a holiday home happens the moment they open the door and see that everything is clean and immaculate.
Because cleaning in holiday apartments changes everything:
✅ If the space smells good, is tidy and looks spotless, the guest starts on the right foot and is more likely to leave a good review.
❌ If, on the other hand, they find dirt, dust or a neglected bathroom, the battle is practically lost.
That is why we have prepared a short guide so you know what to check, what guests value most when it comes to cleanliness, and what type of companies you should hire if you need help.
Let us look at it.
The Importance of Cleaning and Disinfection in Holiday Flats
To begin with, remember that your accommodation competes with hundreds of listings on every platform. In this context, apartment cleaning is the key difference between a smooth stay and an experience the guest does not want to repeat.
Good cleaning in holiday apartments also reduces health risks: fewer bacteria, less mould, fewer allergens and a lower chance of a guest having a bad reaction or filing a formal complaint.
That is why looking after cleanliness in holiday flats means protecting your reputation, your licence…
And your income.
Benefits of Good Cleaning
Improved Guest Satisfaction
As we mentioned, cleanliness is the guest’s first contact with your property. If the holiday apartment is spotless, the traveller tends to interpret everything else positively: the location, decor, equipment and so on.
When the guest sees, for example, that the bathroom shines, the kitchen is disinfected and the bed linen is perfect, they feel respected and feel that their money has been well spent. That means fewer incidents, fewer “this is not what I expected” calls and more peace of mind for you.
That is why we often say that good apartment cleaning is, quite literally, the foundation for building a good experience. Without that minimum standard, everything else becomes fragile, however good it may be.
More Positive Ratings on Rental Platforms
This is obvious, and you have probably noticed it already: cleanliness is one of the most visible review categories and one of the factors that most helps you earn high scores consistently.
The logic is simple: the more positive comments your property accumulates about cleanliness, the more trust it creates among future guests, building a virtuous circle that can increase occupancy and, in some cases, allow you to raise prices.
So if you are wondering where to invest to improve results, the answer is clear: start with cleaning.
Respecting Hygiene Standards Is Also Essential
Setting Cleaning Protocols
Despite what you may think, “cleaning thoroughly” is not enough, because things will be missed. Without a method, each person will do it their own way and the result will be inconsistent.
For that reason, we recommend having a clear, written cleaning protocol for holiday apartments.
That protocol should:
- Set the order of tasks
- List the products to use
- Identify critical areas
- And include a final review checklist
It is simple: create a document that acts as a guide and keep a few printed copies. Formalising the cleaning process protects you from forgetfulness, improvisation and different standards between different people, whether you do it yourself, a relative helps, or you use an external cleaner.
Recommended Products and Techniques
Now comes the technical part, because not every product is suitable for every surface and not all products disinfect in the same way.
For good apartment cleaning, it is best to combine:
- Detergents to remove visible dirt
- Approved disinfectants for bathrooms and kitchens
- Microfibre cloths for surfaces
- Vacuum cleaners with good filters for dust and mites
Using steam on grout and textiles also helps raise the level of disinfection without saturating the space with chemicals or mixing too many smells, however pleasant they may be.
In reality, the key is simple: clean, disinfect and ventilate, always in that order.
Disinfection of Key Areas
Bathrooms and Kitchens: Critical Areas for Disinfection
If there are two areas where guests forgive nothing, they are the bathroom and the kitchen. That is where cleaning in a holiday apartment has to be meticulous.
These are spaces where moisture and organic residue build up, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and bad odours. So be thorough with toilets, sinks, taps, worktops, the fridge, extractor hood and microwave.
All of this must be cleaned and disinfected at every guest changeover. A quick wipe is not enough here: these areas deserve the highest level of attention.
Common Areas and Bedrooms
But do not forget the rest of the flat, because bedrooms and passage areas cannot be neglected.
In bedrooms, something very important happens: textiles, pillows, mattresses and, to a lesser extent, curtains are in direct contact with the guest’s skin. There is nothing more unpleasant than finding dust, dirt, hair or other organic traces on any of them.
The routine here should be: ventilate, change bed linen and check high-touch surfaces such as handles, switches and remote controls, which often collect dirt and create a poor impression if not cared for.
Cleaning Frequency: When to Do Routine Cleaning and When to Deep Clean
Planning and Organising Tasks
At this point, the question is obvious: how often should you clean?
As a baseline, a holiday let must be cleaned between every guest departure and arrival, without exception.
In addition, it is worth scheduling periodic deep cleans, two, three or even four times a year, including:
- Moving furniture and cleaning behind and underneath it
- Washing curtains
- Treating mattresses
- Cleaning air filters
- Checking seals and joints…
And not only because guests may be arriving, since there can be quieter seasons too, but because that extra layer of cleaning prevents the apartment from gradually deteriorating.
That is why we recommend planning these tasks and keeping a calendar so you can organise your time instead of always working against the clock, which is what tends to happen.
Tips for Keeping the Property Clean During the Stay
If you want to go one step further, you can make guests part of caring for the space. Not to replace professional cleaning or ask guests to “work”, of course, but to keep things in order between arrival and departure.
To do that, you only need simple instructions covering:
- Where to throw rubbish away
- How to use the dishwasher
- What to do if something is spilled
- Or even a recommendation to air the home every day
You would be surprised how many guests follow these instructions without any problem. They see it as being as easy as clearing their tray after breakfast in a cafe.
Hiring Professional Services
Advantages of Hiring Specialist Companies and Associated Costs
And now comes the big question: should I clean it myself or outsource it?
In most cases, if not all, working with a specialist apartment cleaning company is the most efficient option.
Why? Because owners already have enough responsibilities without also having to clean a holiday home.
Think about it: would you rather be cleaning, or enjoying your time?
A professional provider also gives you a trained team that knows what to do and can be available when needed, including Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
Yes, it is an additional cost, but it is a cost that can be covered perfectly by each stay if the operation is managed well.
Beyond that, working with professional cleaning companies helps you maintain a consistent service standard, which is essential when you manage more than one property or do not live near the accommodation.
So if you ask us: yes, do not hesitate. Delegate cleaning and as much of the management as possible to an external company.
You will have less stress and fewer worries.
Need Help with Cleaning and Managing Your Holiday Home?
At Home2Book, we are a company specialised in holiday home management, managing more than 600 properties in Spain.
We have specialists in customer service, revenue management and marketing, and we take care of every task, from cleaning and key handover to fixing damage, so you do not have to worry about a thing.
Contact us through this form and we will be happy to advise you on anything you need.
