Airbnb Enhanced Cleaning
To help address the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus, home-sharing platform Airbnb has launched a new enhanced cleaning program. Hosts can enroll in the initiative by taking a quiz, signing an attestation certifying that they follow enhanced cleaning guidelines, and then listing their listings with an “Enhanced Cleaning Protocol” certification.
The Airbnb Advanced Cleaning Initiative includes a five-step cleaning process that hosts should follow to ensure their homes are sanitized and free of disease. The steps include washing hands and using personal protective equipment, scrubbing floors with soap and water, disinfecting high-touch areas like door knobs, and ventilating rooms.
A checklist is also provided, which hosts can use to check off each of the cleaning steps as they complete them. This ensures that they’re completing the process in the right order and will save them time.
Airbnb Enhanced Cleaning FAQs
Hosts should consult local government and health authority guidance when it comes to cleaning properties during a pandemic. This includes social distancing and shelter-in-place rules that might affect their ability to book guests in their homes.
For hosts who aren’t able to commit to the enhanced cleaning program, Airbnb will offer a feature called a “Booking Buffer” that signals to guests that a host’s rental is vacant for a 72-hour period before a guest arrives. This alternative method might result in less bookings from travelers who are looking for a safe stay, but it may be more attractive to guests, as they’ll know the property has been properly cleaned and sanitized prior to their arrival.