Hiring and managing cleaners

[Ashley W.]

Hi, I have been struggling with finding adequate cleaners. Right now I have one that is asking I send a spreadsheet of every cleaning task for the year but resend it every week. She refuses to use my hospitable app emails. I self manage this property and am adding another property this year. I also work a full-time job. Is this a reasonable request from a cleaning company? How do you operate cleaners while self managing? 

[Kenneth Garrett]

@Ashley W.

Even with self managing you still have to manage your cleaners. There are many apps you can use, but I prefer the old school way. I send my cleaners an updated schedule as it changes. This is done through text messages. Its not an app, but its simple and never a hiccup on the schedule. They always show up. I operate and self-manage multiple STR's.

The second part is you need to check up on the quality of the work.  If you live close enough check after its cleaned occasionally.  If you can't do it or you live to far away or live out of state, you need have a manager or someone who can check.  If the property is not cleaned properly, you don't want the guest to complain about cleanliness.  Cleanliness is critical to good reviews and the guests perspective of your property.  

Self managing still requires managing of your cleaners.  It doesn't have to be you.  

Sending the same spreadsheet to your cleaner every cleaning is ridiculous.  Not every cleaner or for that matter owners are technically savvy with apps or other digital sources.  Either change cleaners or find something that works.  Sometimes we have to go through multiple cleaners to find the one that matches our expectations.