Community Chat

[LindaSal]

This is why I really don't like renting places on vacations.  Yuck.......we rented a condo in Florida this past April and it was NOT clean by any means.  Thankfully it did provide a washer and dryer and I was able to wash towels before using them and I did go to the store and buy my own sponge for washing dishes, I refused to use the dishwasher as it stunk to high heaven when I opened the door.  I also used lysol spray for the toilets sinks and showers.  But frankly though this is a necessary step I don't go on vacation to clean!

Supposedly they have a cleaning company too but they take advantage as the owners are not there and I guess they don't think the renters will report back?!

[Sunshine Kate]

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@qualitygal wrote:

TAke paper towels, cleaner and cleaner wipes.  I know what I want for us to be comfortable and safe.  I do still check sheets, corners, etc.Never use their bedspreads either.  Folded down and not used. Take our own soaps, I mean, we practically take the house with us.  Creature habits.

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I do all the same, but I'm getting tired of it.  We've decided to not travel as much.

Don't get me started on airline travel.  

We're going to save lots of $$$.  

[catmama]

I've rented vacation homes many times with friends and family and we've never run into an issue where the homes are not clean.  We check out the kitchen, bath and bedrooms before we bring our suitcases in.  

One thing I have noticed, at previous rentals, and it came up again when we recently rented a place in Massachusetts, on the coast , is that several light fixtures had bulbs out.  We had to replace bulbs in the kitchen and dining area ceiling lights. Luckily the home's storage area had bulbs.  None of the night lights worked either.  I imagine it's because the cleaning people don't turn the lights on and none of the previous renters mentioned it to the owners.  Did notify the owner and he was very appreciative.  

[bmorechick]

I forgot to mention a quick story. About 15 years ago, we went to Folly Beach SC and rented one of the 4 bedroom houses a block from the beach. At that time, we had two teenagers, a young adult, and an adolescent.  The house looked great online and nice when we pulled up.  First thing we noticed when we walked in was a nasty musty smell...the couch looked like they picked it up from the county dump.  It and the two chairs were filthy.  Before we unpacked, we went back to rental agency to get something different.  Well it was July, so nothing available.  The rental agent came back to house with us and agreed.  Within 2 hours, new furniture (well, better) was delivered. Cleaning crew spent two hours in there.  We thought all was ok until I went to shower and one of those giant roaches (that they lovingly call palmetto bugs) was hanging out in there. I almost passed out.  To shorten the story, we saw three of those things inside that we had to flatten with a rock they were so big.  I didn't sleep most of the week. Kitchen was dirty and I refused to tackle it.  We ate out all week.  Never went back.  With my cleaning OCD, my dendrites were on edge alllll week ha!

[RollTide2008]

Gracious, some of you should never leave your own houses.

[Lakelife62]

We Airbnb,HomeAway or Vacasa all the time. I've never walked into a filthy or even dirty rental. I don't think I've paid less than a $250 cleaning fee (even for just a 3 day stay) and I would be on the phone IMMEDIATELY with the rental company if the house wasn't immaculate.

Some professionally managed rentals will actually text you on arrival to get your impression of the cleanliness of the unit. 

[bmorechick]

@RollTide2008  and that's why we have a place at the beach...we do not rent, I'm 100 steps from the sand and within 30 miles of 3 other beach towns.  We already had the condo when we took the trip, but my sons friend wanted us all to come visit.  Cured us for life 😫

[Spacrazy]

I bring and use lots of Lysol spray and Clorox and clean and disinfect as much as I can.

[Pezzie]

I use Clorox wipes and wipe down everything - light switches, door handles, faucets, fridge doers etc.  As to the dishes and silver ware, I wash everything before using,  I take my own dish cloths and sponge for wiping down the sink etc.  We also travel with our Nespresso as I read some horror stories of what some people use the in room or vacation rental coffee makers for!  Bonus, I know I will have a great cup of coffee every morning! 

[Greeneyedlady21]

I wouldn't travel if I had to do all that work and be so worried about germs (or Fentanyl oy it even comes up on this thread maybe take a break from that channel) the whole time, takes all the enjoyment out of it.