search home swapshow it worksjoin todayguardian holidays

Cleaning tips for home swapping during COVID-19

Home exchanging has always helped members step away from the busy tourist trail and enjoy the space, comforts and safety of a home from home. As the world slowly starts to reopen for travel, many of us will be more aware than ever about the cleanliness of our holiday accommodation. To help make sure your home exchange guests are safe while staying in your home, we’ve compiled these cleaning guidelines. 

Tips for cleaning

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces after each home swap stay. We recommend using both regular household cleaners plus an antibacterial spray / wipes.

Examples of frequently touched surfaces:

  • Keys
  • Key lockbox
  • Light switches
  • Door handles
  • Staircase handrails
  • Wardrobe and cabinet handles
  • Kitchen surfaces, appliances, and cupboard handles
  • Bathroom surfaces
  • Toilet flush
  • Thermostats
  • Alarm system
  • Washer / dryer
  • Windowsills and handles

Download our full cleaning checklist (PDF)

 

Other household surfaces:

Use regular household cleaners on floors and other less frequently touched surfaces. We recommend wearing disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry and discard after each use. Wash bedding and towels using the warmest setting. Make sure to empty the vacuum cleaner after each use and then disinfect the surface of the vacuum cleaner.

Tips for disinfecting

Most common household cleaners / disinfectants should be effective. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after cleaning or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol based.

Tips to help your guests 

Think about stocking up on certain items to make sure that your home swap guests feel that you have gone the extra mile to make them safe during their stay.

Items for your guest’s safety:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Handwash / soap
  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Disposable gloves
  • Facemasks (check if your location requires that a facemask be worn on public transport and in shops, cafes and restaurants)
 Leave hand sanitizer for your guests

 

Transport tips for guests

If public transport use in your area is for essential journeys only, make sure that your guests are aware of this prior to their stay. Where possible, provide alternative transport options (bike hire, walking routes and taxi phone numbers).

Need more time? Contact us

If the current travel restrictions have meant you’ve had to delay or cancel your exchange plans, please do contact us and we will add extra time on to your membership free of charge.

Useful links

Disclaimer

These guidelines are based on publicly available information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK Government’s Covid-19 guidelines (GOV.UK) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Guardian Home Exchange make no guarantees of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability of these guidelines. Any reliance a member places on these guidelines is at their own risk. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK Government’s Covid-19 guidelines (GOV.UK), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and your local health authority.