Taken from the Quality Standard booklet for Self-Catering Accommodation.
A quality assessment will consider the cleanliness of a property and grade each of the following areas from 1 to 5 as part of the overall score.
Public areas (corridors/stairways/dining room/lounge areas)
Windows, flooring and skirtings, stair treads, dado/picture rails and pictures, under seat cushions, inside and outside of furniture, power points and light switches, light fittings ceiling edges and electrical goods.
Advice
It is anticipated that any metalware is polished and tarnish free. Where pets are accepted, particular attention should be paid to removing pet smells and stale smoke smells where smoking is permitted, but beware overpowering perfumed air fresheners, which can be equally offensive.
Particular attention should be paid to room corners, under sofa/chair cushions, light fittings, curtain valances and electrical equipment, where static attracts dust. Check curtain linings for staining.
Bedrooms
Inside and outside of furniture(tops and inside of wardrobes), light fittings and ceiling edges, flooring and skirtings, under beds, windows, bed heads, frames and mattresses.
Advice
Special attention should be given to tops and insides of wardrobes, insides of drawers, bedheads, underneath beds and mattresses, underneath furniture, curtain valances etc.
By moving hangers to one end of the wardrobe, it indicates to guests that attention has been given in this area.
Bathrooms
This includes wall finishes, flooring, equipment, shower curtains, light fittings, extractor fans, plug holes, taps and toilet brushes.
Advice
Consider when guests are seated in the bath, they can see everything at a lower level, therefore do not forget areas not normally seen at standing height e.g. behind washbasin pedestals, and behind WC and soil pipe.
Areas above head height often mistakenly get missed in the normal cleaning routine, so tops of shower rails or cubicles, venetian blinds and extractor fans should be added to that routine. Showerheads and taps may need more regular de-scaling in hard water areas during periods of constant use.
Plugholes need to be checked at every change over and baths/shower drainage pipes should be regularly checked also to ensure they drain freely. A change of shower curtains will allow laundering on a regular basis and prevent mildew build up, as most can be machinewashed at low temperatures.
Old toiletries or bars of soap should be removed. Toilet brushes and holders require thorough and regular cleaning and replacement.
Kitchen
This includes wall finishes, flooring, equipment and light fittings.
Advice
Areas which require regular attention include:
Cookers: Cooker hoods, inside of ovens, grillpans, area around controls, underneath of hobs, inside and especially upper surface of microwaves and splashbacks.
Freezers: Seals, defrost ice boxes, door trays. Best to leave doors open when turned off and not in use, to avoid and Fridges mould and odours.
Dishwashers: Clean filter and seals.
Washing Machines and Tumble Dryers: Fluff and powder residue.
Other Food storage cupboards including removal of left over food, strip light diffusers, (dead flies and grime) extractor fans and inside of drawers.
Find out more at the Quality in Tourism website or read our articles about Quality Assessments.
