A Clean Stay Starts with You: What Every Host Must Provide

If you’re hosting a short-term rental, it’s not just about offering a pretty space — it’s about maintaining one. A clean stay doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the host made sure everything was in place for it to stay that way.

At Murray’s Cleaning Service, we’ve seen the difference between well-equipped stays and the ones that leave guests and cleaners frustrated. If you want better reviews, fewer problems, and a more successful rental, here’s what needs to be in every single unit.

1. A Working Washer and Dryer

This should be basic, but too many hosts overlook it. If your stay includes towels, sheets, blankets, or washable items, you need:

• A washer and dryer that complete full cycles
• No flooding, no broken knobs, no surprises
• Easy access, not locked up or unclear

Guests often want to freshen linens or do a load mid-stay. Cleaners rely on these machines during turnover. If the washer or dryer doesn’t work properly, the whole stay suffers.

2. Visible and Safe Cleaning Supplies

If the supplies are locked away or missing, you’re making it harder for both guests and cleaners to protect your investment.

Every stay should be stocked with:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Bathroom cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Bleach or disinfectant
• Furniture polish
• Cleaning rags, gloves, sponges
• Trash bags and extra toilet bowl brushes
• A mop and broom
• An electric broom or stick vacuum (to keep down pet and human hair)

Hair is one of the top complaints from guests and one of the fastest ways to lose a good review. Give your space a fighting chance between turnovers.

3. Let Guests Help

Some guests don’t want to sit in someone else’s mess. Others appreciate having a way to wipe down a counter or clean up a spill without searching through cabinets.

Make it easy:

• Create a clean-up station in plain sight
• Leave a short note: “We’ve provided cleaning supplies for your comfort. Please feel free to use them during your stay.”

When you make cleaning part of the experience, it shows you care, and guests do too.

Set the Stay Up to Stay Clean

Clean isn’t just for check-in. It’s part of the whole experience. If the tools are there, the supplies are visible, and the machines work, everything runs smoother — for guests, for cleaners, and for you.

At Murray’s Cleaning Service, we deliver high-quality results, but we can’t do it alone. The best stays are a partnership between the cleaner, the guest, and the host who takes their role seriously.

If you want clean, make sure the stay is ready for it.