Short-term rentals: keeping carpet, sofas and mattresses guest-ready

Short-term rental guests notice soft goods. A stained sofa, a mattress that smells like the last guest, a carpet with a dog spot — these show up in reviews even when the rest of the place is spotless. And guests bring pets whether or not the listing allows them.

What we do for hosts

Carpet, sofa and mattress cleaning on a schedule (quarterly for busy listings, twice a year for slower ones), and on-call same-day cleaning when a guest leaves a mess between bookings. One host called us after a guest's dog had an accident on the carpet and sofa; we were in and out before the next check-in.

Mattress rotation

Guest mattresses take more abuse than a family mattress because every guest is a stranger. A waterproof protector on every bed, washed between guests, plus a professional cleaning twice a year, keeps them presentable. We clean and sanitize mattresses as a quick add-on to any visit.

Ducts and dryer vents

A short-term rental's dryer runs constantly and the vent clogs faster than a family home's. Annual cleaning is a must. Ducts in a rental full of strangers' pets and cooking should be cleaned every few years.