Post by High Priestess on May 28, 2016 23:01:21 GMT
Mig shared on Hosting 911 NOv 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-92336
Tact & diplomacy
My listings have a spare set of bedding in a storage drawer under the bed. Long termers are made aware on check in day. They have unrestricted access to washer and dryer. I have had a guest for the last 6 weeks, his bedding has not been changed once & is starting to smell. Can someone give me a few tips on how to deal with this diplomatically please,
12 comments
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Gordon
Gordon2 years ago
Can't you change it?
Surely a long term let means you have lower running/changeover costs and a weekly change of bedding would be the least you could do?
Reply Like 1 like
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Perhaps you could say something like, "I just thought of something I would like to offer -- if you are really busy and having a hard time doing your room cleaning and linen changes I would be willing to do that for you. WHen is a convenient time for you?"
This issue can be a problem with longer term guests, as they basically will keep the room at the same cleanliness level they are used to, which in some cases, is not very clean at all. Some hosts will for this reason indicate that they themselves will be cleaning the room on a regular basis. I think it is awkward to insist that a guest clean their own room or do their own laundry and linen changes, so rather than do that, I would offer to do their cleaning, but I would phrase it in such a way as to gently make it obvious that I have noticed that they have not done any cleaning or linen changes. Then they might pick up on this...or not...
Reply Like 5 likes
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Also....I have at times had something to this effect in my house rules, "Please open your windows from time to time to help avoid a stale smell emanating from rooms." Something like this can help suggest to the unaware guest, that smells from rooms/unwashed beds are indeed, evident to others in the house.
I am a lover of fresh air, and I tend to have windows open in my own room at least part of the week all year round, even in temperatures down to 40F, as I find both cool and fresh air so invigorating, so it is particularly hard for me to understand guests who smother themselves by never opening windows and keeping the place stuffy. Of course, I wouldn't want them turning up the heat full blast and leaving windows open all day, but just to have the window open a few minutes to an hour a day can do a lot to air a place out.
Reply Like 1 like
Carrie
Carrie2 years ago
I'm thinking along the lines of Deborah: maybe just say "I'm doing a load of wash tomorrow and would like to change your sheets. Would 2pm (or whatever time) be OK for me to go in your room to change your sheets?"
Reply Liked 3 likes
Mig
Mig2 years ago
Thanks for your suggestions, I like the idea of giving a specific time when I will be doing a wash and saying that I will do his.
We have a weekly cleaner, and the offer of a room clean is made and refused.
Reply Like 2 likes
Carrie
Carrie2 years ago
For future longer term guests, you could, at the beginning of their stay, say something like: I'd like to launder/change your sheets weekly. I'll plan on being in your room each Friday morning to do that. Will that work for you?"
Reply Like 1 like
Mig
Mig2 years ago
I guess my thinking was that he would take up the offer of a room clean and bed change when the cleaner comes or change his bed himself. That'll teach me for being so presumptuous.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Right -- one can't assume anything about guests having similar standards to yourself. From what I have seen about many, in room rentals as in other areas of life, many just want the least expensive arrangement possible. So the reason to decline the room cleaner is to save money, not because they prefer to do their own cleaning.
Carrie
Carrie2 years ago
Well, you might be right, or you will be right in some cases... everyone is so different about this kind of thing, and your comfort level with guests' dirtiness might be different from mine.
Reply Like 1 like
Stan & Maggie
Stan & Maggie2 years ago
It's in my house rules . Weekly no exceptions..... I have leant that lesson!
Reply Like 1 like
KRIS & RODGER
KRIS & RODGER2 years ago
I change my guests sheets once a week, and I open the windows. They know this in advance. My housecleaner then comes in alternate weeks and clean the room
Reply Like 1 like
Mig
Mig2 years ago
I will be changing the rules after this experience
Reply Like 1 like
Salvia
Salvia2 years ago
Yes, don't leave cleaning to guests (alone or for more than 3 days or so ) without a check!!!!! I would NOT / NEVER make that an option but a rule to accept! Phrasing it nicely as a benefit to guests and Overall maintainace of listing helps to avoid Irritation.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-92336
Tact & diplomacy
My listings have a spare set of bedding in a storage drawer under the bed. Long termers are made aware on check in day. They have unrestricted access to washer and dryer. I have had a guest for the last 6 weeks, his bedding has not been changed once & is starting to smell. Can someone give me a few tips on how to deal with this diplomatically please,
12 comments
Following
Like
Gordon
Gordon2 years ago
Can't you change it?
Surely a long term let means you have lower running/changeover costs and a weekly change of bedding would be the least you could do?
Reply Like 1 like
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Perhaps you could say something like, "I just thought of something I would like to offer -- if you are really busy and having a hard time doing your room cleaning and linen changes I would be willing to do that for you. WHen is a convenient time for you?"
This issue can be a problem with longer term guests, as they basically will keep the room at the same cleanliness level they are used to, which in some cases, is not very clean at all. Some hosts will for this reason indicate that they themselves will be cleaning the room on a regular basis. I think it is awkward to insist that a guest clean their own room or do their own laundry and linen changes, so rather than do that, I would offer to do their cleaning, but I would phrase it in such a way as to gently make it obvious that I have noticed that they have not done any cleaning or linen changes. Then they might pick up on this...or not...
Reply Like 5 likes
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Also....I have at times had something to this effect in my house rules, "Please open your windows from time to time to help avoid a stale smell emanating from rooms." Something like this can help suggest to the unaware guest, that smells from rooms/unwashed beds are indeed, evident to others in the house.
I am a lover of fresh air, and I tend to have windows open in my own room at least part of the week all year round, even in temperatures down to 40F, as I find both cool and fresh air so invigorating, so it is particularly hard for me to understand guests who smother themselves by never opening windows and keeping the place stuffy. Of course, I wouldn't want them turning up the heat full blast and leaving windows open all day, but just to have the window open a few minutes to an hour a day can do a lot to air a place out.
Reply Like 1 like
Carrie
Carrie2 years ago
I'm thinking along the lines of Deborah: maybe just say "I'm doing a load of wash tomorrow and would like to change your sheets. Would 2pm (or whatever time) be OK for me to go in your room to change your sheets?"
Reply Liked 3 likes
Mig
Mig2 years ago
Thanks for your suggestions, I like the idea of giving a specific time when I will be doing a wash and saying that I will do his.
We have a weekly cleaner, and the offer of a room clean is made and refused.
Reply Like 2 likes
Carrie
Carrie2 years ago
For future longer term guests, you could, at the beginning of their stay, say something like: I'd like to launder/change your sheets weekly. I'll plan on being in your room each Friday morning to do that. Will that work for you?"
Reply Like 1 like
Mig
Mig2 years ago
I guess my thinking was that he would take up the offer of a room clean and bed change when the cleaner comes or change his bed himself. That'll teach me for being so presumptuous.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Right -- one can't assume anything about guests having similar standards to yourself. From what I have seen about many, in room rentals as in other areas of life, many just want the least expensive arrangement possible. So the reason to decline the room cleaner is to save money, not because they prefer to do their own cleaning.
Carrie
Carrie2 years ago
Well, you might be right, or you will be right in some cases... everyone is so different about this kind of thing, and your comfort level with guests' dirtiness might be different from mine.
Reply Like 1 like
Stan & Maggie
Stan & Maggie2 years ago
It's in my house rules . Weekly no exceptions..... I have leant that lesson!
Reply Like 1 like
KRIS & RODGER
KRIS & RODGER2 years ago
I change my guests sheets once a week, and I open the windows. They know this in advance. My housecleaner then comes in alternate weeks and clean the room
Reply Like 1 like
Mig
Mig2 years ago
I will be changing the rules after this experience
Reply Like 1 like
Salvia
Salvia2 years ago
Yes, don't leave cleaning to guests (alone or for more than 3 days or so ) without a check!!!!! I would NOT / NEVER make that an option but a rule to accept! Phrasing it nicely as a benefit to guests and Overall maintainace of listing helps to avoid Irritation.