If you're a homeowner, you know how expensive it can be to maintain your home. On average, homeowners can be expected to sink up to $6,000 into repairs and maintenance per year.
Thankfully, it's often taking care of small things, like regular cleaning, that prevent the most expensive future repairs. Letting bathroom cleanliness get away from you could lead to costly black mold removal -- or worse.
So how exactly do you maintain guest-ready bathrooms that don't require expensive future repairs?
Look no further. Today, we cover the top five bathroom cleaning tips for vacation rentals in Galveston, TX.
1. Get the Right Supplies
Fortunately, the bathroom is a fairly predictable place with the same stains and smells. The best and most accessible cleaner is baking soda and vinegar. This will remove stains, sanitize surfaces, and kill even the worst odors.
Aside from that, get some bleach for the tiles and scale remover for the tap and shower walls. Invest in a pair of rubber gloves, a scrub brush, and some sponges. Grab a few old toothbrushes to clean grout and tight corners.
2. Make a Cleaning Checklist
A cleaning checklist is a must to streamline the process and standardize it across properties. Start by scrubbing the floors and the tub. Then move up to the toilet, the sink, and the mirror.
3. Get Some Ventilation
A bathroom does a good job of retaining bad smells -- or strong cleaning chemicals. You are going to hurt your eyes and lungs unless you get some airflow. Turn on the bathroom fan, or crack a window or door when you clean.
4. Unclog Drains When Possible
Clogged drains aren't just inconvenient; they are going to create more mess. They overflow and then stain the sink or toilet bowl, and leave a horrid smell.
Don't just mark them down on your next inspection for vacation rental maintenance. Take care of them immediately.
There are a handful of easy ways to remove just about any blockage. First, you can use a zip tool for hairs, or a plunger to suck out thicker blockages. For the toughest blockages, pour drain cleaner down the hatch and let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing.
5. Tackle Mold and Mildew at the Source
Mold and mildew are both types of fungus that spread through spores. You can't prevent them from ever coming back, but you can reduce their spread. One of several cleaning hacks for rentals is to thoroughly clean every last speck of them out of the bathroom.
Then, use a fan to forcefully ventilate it out. This clears airborne spores and dries out places where they grow. Soon, you'll have only small colonies that are easy to wipe up.
Find More Bathroom Cleaning Tips for Vacation Rentals
Bathroom cleaning tips for vacation rentals will make your Galveston property management that much easier. Use the right supplies and draft a cleaning checklist. Ventilate the space, especially for mold and mildew, and clear blockages.
PMI Galveston Bay in Galveston, TX, provides comprehensive service to short-term rental owners. Our specialty in these vacation properties ensures you can run them smoothly and maximize profits. But first, find out if you want to rent or sell with our handy calculator.