Worried about how cleaning works with home exchanges? Here is CasaVersa’s complete guide! By the CasaVersa communications guru (and clean-freak) Jo Savill.
The first question that comes to mind when I think of home exchange is “What about cleaning?”. Now I might be a neat-freak to be thinking about all this, but cleanliness has a major impact on how home exchangers enjoy their holiday.
The CasaVersa team has come up with the ultimate tips on how to clean your place before a home exchange to ensure it’s ready for visitors, and also to make sure the place you are going to will be as clean as you would expect.
Arriving at a home to find that it’s not as clean as you thought it would be can be a major downside of home exchange. But we have a few tried and tested ways to make sure you will have no nasty (or should I say dirty) surprises when you walk into your home exchange house.
Good communication
The solution to all your cleaning worries is to make sure you communicate well with your exchange partner about your standards and expectations for cleanliness. Talk about it, write about it, take photos, ask questions, and write guidelines in your CasaVersa home exchange agreement (launching soon).
Communicate how often you clean. If you are a real neat-freak, say so. If you are a bit messy, or gave up the battle with dust, be honest with your home exchange partner.
Cleaning for your home exchange: CasaVersa’s checklist
Here’s CasaVersa’s simple checklist for preparing your home for your house swap:
1 month before
- fix anything that is in need of repair. Toaster doesn’t work very well? Fix it or buy a new one. Drawer handle fell off? Put it back on
- set up a guest account on your computer if you are going to make it available
- prepare a house manual with all the important information about your house included for your guests.
1 week before
- clean your oven
- clean the windows and window sills
- tidy up your garden
- make sure you have clean sheets and towels ready for your guests
- buy a small gift to leave your home exchange partners - a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates will make them feel really welcome!
1 day before
- dust
- tidy your clutter
- give the kitchen and bathroom a good clean
- vacuum/mop the floors
- put away your valuables in a safe place
- put your fragile possessions somewhere safe. If you’re worried about the crystal vase being knocked over, put it away in a cupboard.
The day you leave
- change your sheets
- put fresh towels out
- wipe kitchen benches and put away dishes from the drying rack
- wipe down the sink
- make room in your closet for your guest
- clean out the fridge and remove all perishables
- empty the trash bins
- leave a copy of your house instructions in a prominent place.
If you really hate cleaning…
Get a professional cleaner. The cost of a cleaner will be way less than paying for any kind of accommodation so you will still be saving a lot of money by going on a home exchange!
You can arrange with your home exchange partners for them to also get professional cleaners, so you all won’t need to worry about cleaning at all on your holiday.
Find tips and tools for safety (and cleanliness) on the CasaVersa Safety Center (launching soon!) - we explain all the ways we’re making your home exchange as comfortable and safe as possible!
Remember: home exchange guests have a track record of looking after homes beautifully! This infographic gives you the statistics!
How well do guests look after their hosts home? And infographic from CasaVersa.
Travel more with CasaVersa home exchange - list your home and search for a swap now!
