Guidelines for enhanced cleaning and disinfection of holiday rentals

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has created a need to take additional cleaning and disinfection measures to help prevent its spread and help ensure the safety of travellers and partners.

Partners are encouraged to:

• Use accurate, reputable sources of information including the WHO, the CDC and local authorities
• Make sure to follow local regulations, where applicable
• Have a proactive plan to manage and minimise the risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and similar events, such as a plan to prevent the spread of infection
• Implement an enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of the property between stays
• Communicate expectations and plans for cleaning and disinfection standards if using an external or professional cleaning company, and get periodic confirmation that they’re being followed by the contracted company
• Communicate to travellers on the measures implemented, both pre-stay and during stay, via listing content and a property information booklet

• Support good hand hygiene for guests and anyone involved with the property by providing sufficient hand sanitiser, antibacterial soap products at property entry points and key areas, and also encouraging hand washing regularly with water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
• Implement social distancing policies during check-in and check-out, and during any interactions with guests, staff and the local community. When possible, encourage minimising these interactions.
• Recommend removing shoes when entering the property and leaving them at the entrance (if possible, outside).
• Inform guests on how they can contribute in prevention, and actions to take if they identify symptoms (refer to WHO, CDC or local government resources).
• Consider providing cleaning and disinfecting products for guests to use, along with instructions, antibacterial handwash and additional personal hygiene products are also nice to have on hand for guests.
• If guests clean the property themselves, be sure to assess the results and the overall cleanliness of the property and to implement an additional cleaning if necessary. Regardless, implement disinfection as described below.

Cleaning tools and personal protective equipment (PPE):

• Cleaning equipment should be cleaned and disinfected before and after use to minimise the risk of contamination.
• Cleaning products, personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools should be in good condition and supplied appropriately for the size and usage of the property.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) typically includes disposable single-use gloves, masks and shoe covers, as well as reusable eye protection.
• Any single-use equipment should be disposed of safely after use.
• Cleaning equipment typically includes brushes, sponges, microfibre rags and mops with replaceable heads.
• All equipment should be fit for purpose and approved or recommended by the local authorities.

The considerations below apply to professional cleaners or anyone cleaning or maintaining the property:

• Should be trained on how to use, care for and properly dispose of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Should be trained on how to properly use cleaning, disinfecting and chemical products (e.g. germicides) and on safe waste disposal
• Should always use fit-for-purpose PPE during the cleaning process
• Single-use PPE should be safely disposed of to minimise the risk of contamination
• Should avoid touching their face during the cleaning process, as well as any unnecessary contact with surfaces, including personal belongings
• Should implement enhanced hand hygiene (washing both hands and forearms for at least twenty seconds) before and after removing gloves

• Cleaning and disinfecting are two different steps in the overall process, and both are required to lower the risk of contamination. The CDC defines these as follows:
  • Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects, by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs; however, by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
  • Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects.  This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
  • Sanitising lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.
• Prevent cross-contamination by using specific equipment by area (room, bathroom, kitchen)
• Plan the process to start with lowest risk areas (bedroom, living room) to highest risk areas (kitchen, bathroom)
• Define a cleaning checklist to help ensure completion and keep records (these can be useful in case of guest complaints)
• Ventilate the property during and after the process
• If guests clean the property themselves, be ready to assess the results and the overall cleanliness of the property and implement a cleaning step if necessary — and a disinfection step in any case — as described below

• Clean with water and suitable detergent (WHO/CDC)
• Use a detergent or soap and water, and leave to act for enough time, usually three to five minutes (WHO/CDC)
• Rinse, dry and wipe to remove all products
• Clean and disinfect all cleaning equipment

• Disinfect using the appropriate chemical per area. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective for disinfection. A list of EPA-approved products for use against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is available here. Additional resources are also available on the WHO and CDC websites.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products utilised (concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least one minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure that the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

• Door handles
• Controls and switches (e.g. light switches, cooking controls, television controls, fan pull chains)
• Bathroom taps, toilet flush handles, toilet seats
• Utensils, cutlery and crockery
• Furniture such as chairs, tables and parts of the bed frames
• Children facilities such as bunk beds, toys or play equipment (if not removed from property)
• Linen, including those that appear unused
• Refuse, recycling bins and any waste disposal containers
• Cleaning equipment
• Guest information, brochures, menus

•  Minimise handling of used linen to minimise the risk of contamination, particularly shaking it
• Wash linen at the highest temperature, and dry completely before storing
• Clean linen should be stored and handled separately from used linen (and changed between stays)
• Any other solid/bulk waste should be handled separately, and first

For properties, partners, property managers and multi-unit rentals where this is relevant and can be implemented, it is also recommended to consider:

• Seeking third-party certification from an accredited hygiene organisation
• Implementing ways to check in and check out while implementing social distancing:
  • Self-check-in and checkout, not at an office
  • Contactless check-in and check-out (smart lock, keyless, app)
• Implementing standard check-in and check-out times, and avoid early arrivals or late departures to minimise the possibility of disrupting the enhanced cleaning process using a professional cleaning company

• Communicating on minimising non-essential interactions at property:
  • Maintenance teams unless urgent
  • Any other non-guests
• Making PPE available to guests, especially masks, when going outside the property
• Encouraging guests to self-monitor for symptoms, follow advice from local authorities and seek medical assistance where possible/available
• Encourage application of these guidelines to shared/public areas
• For partners offering food/baskets, consider minimising or removing this service, or consider serving individually wrapped items

Partners should display cleaning policies and procedures via: 

• Structured amenities
• Property description
• Property information booklet and/or welcome guide
• Any other means reasonably available — such as door hangers, signs or checklists on display

We’ll monitor this content and reserve the right to remove any information deemed inaccurate based on traveller feedback and other sources of information, including but not limited to direct interaction with the partner.

These guidelines are based on publicly available information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and in consultation with Expedia Group partner expert Cristal International Standards, part of the Intertek Group, and the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA).  

None of these organisations endorse these guidelines or EG/Vrbo. Neither Expedia Group nor Vrbo makes any representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of these guidelines. Any reliance a partner places on these guidelines is at their own risk. These guidelines are subject to change based on new information arising. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and your local health authority.

• US Vacation Rental Management Association cleaning guidelines
• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Cristal International Standards