Cleaning Manual in RV

[Clan_Graham]

Hi! We're new to this, so I have a few questions:

1.) Is it common to include a cleaning manual in your RV (like what you'd find in an Airbnb)? I want to ask our renters to return our unit in the same condition they received it, but am not sure if it's considered weird in an RV rental?

2.) If this is common, what else is common to include on the list?

3.) We didn't address black/grey water dumping expectations in our original ad (totally spaced on that one) and we now have a rental that may not be a full hook-up situation. If they don't empty the tanks, should we just eat the cost of this one? 

Thanks for any advice!

[JordanB · Accepted solution]

Hi there, and welcome!

1. Most rentals you find on Outdoorsy include the cost of cleaning in the "Prep fee" that all renters pay for each reservation. We hire cleaners on TaskRabbit to clean our RV between rentals and roll the cost of it into the prep fee rather than relying on the renters to do it themselves. That doesn't mean you can't go that route, but if you do I would make sure it is typed out very clearly in your listing description, because most renters won't expect it.
2. We made a bulleted list for our TaskRabbit cleaner by going from one end of the rig to the other and listing all the surfaces/appliances and such that need to be cleaned along the way. I can send it to you if you like.
3. Thats up to you. Emptying the waste tanks on return is a very common requirement across all peer-to-peer RV rental platforms, so I don't think it would be out of place to request that even if you forgot to include it in the description initially. 

[Clan_Graham]

Hi Jordan! That list would be awesome, thank you! And thank you for the quick response! 

[JordanB]

Sorry about that. We just got back from a 3 week road trip, and I completely spaced this. I'm having trouble tracking down the actual word document, but will post here if I find it.

[Clan_Graham]

No worries at all! Jealous of your road trip but hope you had a blast!

[JadenRose]

I would love the bulleted task list as well. Thank you!

[Dbank78]

Hi Jordan! We’re new here! We’d like to see that cleaning checklist because it seems like such a daunting task just explaining what we want done. 

[We_Wander]

Hi @JordanB ,

Great advice!  We have had a handful of rentals so far and have had minimal issues with dealing with a dirty RV return.  On our listing, we do have a "prep fee" and specify that we kindly ask that our RV is returned in the manner that it left.  Our last renters returned it with a damaged awning (I will file a claim), a big scratch on the other side of the rig (which they did not mention...my husband noticed it), it was a mess and they left food in the fridge, freezer and the cooler we lent them.   I want to withhold an additional fee for cleaning, but not still not sure.  I don't mean to be nit-picky, but it is really disappointing that someone would not treat our rig with care.

Do you have any other advice?  And could you share your bulleted task list?

Thank you in advance.

[JordanB]

Hi @We_Wander, thats definitely a bummer. We've been renting for a few years now, and have had a few renters like that as well. Fortunately, most renters have been wonderful and treat our RV with care, but it only takes a few bad experiences to leave you feeling fed up.

I don't think there is anything wrong with charging an excess cleaning fee (someone from Outdoorsy please correct me if I'm wrong). Make sure the return condition is well documented and photographed before you start cleaning, and clearly explain what the charge is for when you pull the money from their security deposit. I was too nervous to charge the few bad renters we had early on, because I didn't want a negative review. Now that we have a good number of positive reviews however, I'm tempted to hold my ground a bit more when it comes up. If anyone else has experience around that I would love to know.

@Clan_Graham @JadenRose @Dbank78, here is the cleaning task list we use (sorry it took me forever to post haha). Keep in mind that it was written for a TaskRabbit cleaner (someone who cleans stuff like this all the time) rather than a renter, so you may want to add more details if you plan on having renters do some of it:

1. Clean front cab area:
   • Clean all windows
   • Wipe all hard surfaces down
   • Clean seats/arm rests with leather cleaner
   • Vacuum rugs and outside steps as needed
2. Clean bunk area:
   • Remove mattress cover for washing
   • Vacuum mattress and underneath mattress, check for stains and other spills
   • Clean hard surfaces
   • Dust TV
   • Clean window
3. Clean Back Bedroom area
   • Remove mattress cover for washing
   • Vacuum mattress and underneath mattress, check for stains and other spills
   • Wipe out inside of all cabinets and wardrobes
   • Clean all hard surfaces
   • Clean windows
4. Clean bathroom
   • Scrub shower, including inside of shower curtain (steam clean if needed)
   • Clean toilet with special toilet cleaner
   • Clean window
5. Clean vanity area
   • Clean mirror
   • Wipe out inside of medicine cabinet, and lower cabinet
   • Clean sink and countertop
   • Wipe all hard surfaces/handles
6. Clean out refrigerator
   • Disinfect and clean all surfaces in fridge/freezer
   • Wipe down outside of fridge including handles
   • Leave open to air out
7. Clean kitchen area
   • Wipe out upper cabinets
   • Clean sink and countertop
   • Clean stove (take apart if needed)
   • Wipe out lower cabinets
   • Clean all hard surfaces
8. Clean Dinnet area
   • Wipe out upper cabinets
   • Clean / vacuum out storage areas under bench seats
   • Wipe down table surface and cupholders
   • Wipe down bench seat cushions with leather cleaner
   • Vacuum / wipe out floor under table
9. Vacuum and mop all floors
10. Wash all dishes and cookware, replace in their various cabinets/drawers
11. Refill hand and dish soap dispensers
12. Replace sponge in kitchen sink
13. Check to make sure there is enough toilet paper, paper towels, cleaner sprays, trash bags, shampoo and body wash, replace as needed

[We_Wander]

Thank you so much for your advice and the excellent checklist!  I feel it is clear what our expectations are and I have put together a binder, but I definitely want to add a "clean up" checklist page.  It was a bummer that they brought it back in the manner it was and didn't seem to care.  On top of it, after I stripped it down to get ready for the cleaning it smelled like someone was smoking in the rig.  We have a no-smoking policy, but I now have added a small sign in the cab that says "No Smoking".  Hopefully, the next renters take note.  Fortunately, the other renters we have had were great.  They seemed to treat it as if it was their own.  

Thanks again for your feedback!  🙂

[Dherteux]

We ask our renters to sweep the unit out and wipe down all surfaces.  No matter how much cleaning they do, we still have to go over it again anyway.  We tell them not to worry about the outside.  Regarding the tanks, if you did not set any expectations, then it is up to you.  Going forward, let them know the tanks must be returned empty, or there will be a service charge.

[Clan_Graham]

Thanks for the response, Dherteux! I think we'll just ask that they sweep, wipe down surfaces, and empty trash & recycling. My mom owned a cleaning business and I worked for her for a few years, so I'm going to clean it like crazy no matter what they do, but it's nice to have a nice starting point, for sure!