AIRBNB TIPS & INSIGHTS
Cleaning is an art. Doing it with your heart.
If you own a cottage rental, you already know: cleaning can make or break your guest experience. Guests will forgive a squeaky screen door or an old couch, but they won’t forgive dirty sheets, missed garbage, or the smell of last weekend’s fire pit drifting inside.
On the Beyond the Listing podcast, we sat down with Alina Lapteva, founder of Your Lifestyle Cleaning. She started as an Airbnb co-host, scaled to 25 units in downtown Toronto, then pivoted into running a 30-person cleaning company. Her journey is packed with lessons cottage owners can use to avoid bad reviews, protect their investment, and keep their rentals five-star ready.
Why Cottage Cleaning Is Different (and Harder)
City condos are one thing. Cottages are another beast entirely:
Bigger footprint: More rooms, more beds, more bathrooms, more outdoor space.
Nature factor: Sand, bugs, pollen, and campfire smoke sneak into every corner.
Seasonal rush: Summer means back-to-back turnovers with no buffer days.
Septic systems: Guests flushing wipes or overusing shampoo can cause real damage.
Weather wear: Mud, snow, and wet gear create messes that condos never see.
As Alina put it:
“Turnovers are stressful because the time window is so small. But at cottages, you’re dealing with even more — laundry, outdoor furniture, BBQs, docks, fire pits. It’s back-to-back and there’s no margin for error.”
5 Cleaning Lessons Cottage Owners Can Steal
1. Hire Slow, Fire Fast
Alina’s team doesn’t just hire cleaners off a job board. They test them with:
A home clean test (before/after photos of their own home).
Training videos and detailed checklists.
Shadowing experienced cleaners for multiple turnovers.
For cottage owners, this matters: don’t let just anyone handle your property. Seasonal staff may seem convenient, but the wrong cleaner can cost you thousands in refunds or damage.
2. Train for the “Detail Eye”
Most people don’t notice sand in the entryway or a hair on white bedding. Guests do.
Alina trains her staff to see what owners (and guests) see:
Stamped toilet paper
Aligned shampoo bottles with labels facing forward
Pillows placed with hotel precision
“Cleaning is an art. Doing it with your heart.”
In a cottage, it’s the same: the small details make guests feel like they’re in a luxury retreat, not someone else’s old family cabin.
3. Systems Protect Your Investment
At 50+ properties, you can’t physically check every clean. Systems do the heavy lifting:
Checklists for every room (yes, even the Muskoka Room).
Timestamped photo proof for before/after documentation (critical for Airbnb’s AirCover).
Tech tools to assign, schedule, and confirm turnover tasks.
For cottage rentals, where guest issues often involve garbage, firewood, BBQs, and septic, systems are the difference between chaos and smooth operations.
4. Respect the Turnover Window
Most cottages run on 10 a.m. check-out / 4 p.m. check-in. That’s not much time for:
Travel time in cottage country.
Full laundry loads (often 5+ beds plus towels).
BBQ scrubbing.
Restocking firewood, propane, or lake gear.
Deep cleaning kitchens after a week of heavy cooking.
This is why cleaning fees are higher at cottages — they’re not “just a quick sweep.”
5. Prepare for the Unexpected (Parties, Floods, Fires)
Cottages attract groups. Groups throw parties. And sometimes, guests treat bathrooms like wet rooms (yes, floods happen).
That’s why Alina stresses:
Noise monitoring devices
Guest vetting
Clear house rules
Cottage owners who ignore this risk end up with ruined carpets, smoke-damaged furniture, or even septic overflows. Prevention is cheaper than repair.
Why This Matters for Cottage Owners
Cottages aren’t condos. They’re bigger, messier, and harder to maintain. But they’re also where the highest rental revenues are made — families and groups paying premium rates expect hotel-level cleanliness in a rustic setting.
Alina’s story proves one thing: the hosts who scale are the ones who treat cleaning as a system, not an afterthought.
Final Takeaway
If you want to maximize your cottage rental revenue, you need:
A reliable, trained cleaning team
Detailed checklists and photo proof
Systems that make sure every turnover is consistent
At Homeseeker Vacation Homes, this is exactly what we build into our management service. Because your guests aren’t just booking a cottage — they’re booking a 5-star experience.
👉 Want to learn how to get your cottage rental ready for back-to-back summer bookings?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What homeowner support services do you provide for short-term rentals?
We provide homeowners with tools, strategies, and vendor connections to optimize their short-term rental’s performance and minimize hassle, including:
✅ Listing Optimization – We assist property owners in optimizing their Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia listings by providing expert recommendations and marketing strategies.
✅ Dynamic Pricing – We maximize your revenue by adjusting prices based on demand, local events, and seasonality.
✅ Guest Communication – We provide property owners with best practices for guest communication, including templated responses and automation tools to enhance their booking experience.
✅ Cleaning & Maintenance – We connect property owners with trusted cleaning and maintenance professionals to help maintain a high-quality rental experience.
✅ Check-In & Check-Out Management – We help property owners implement secure and efficient check-in solutions, including keyless entry recommendations, to streamline guest access.
✅ Review Management – We provide review response strategies and guidance to help property owners maintain a strong online reputation.
✅ Revenue Reporting – Monthly performance reports and insights to help you scale your earnings.
How do you charge for your services?
Commission-Based – We offer a revenue-based pricing for our homeowner support and marketing services.
How do I know my property is in good hands?
We have a proven track record of helping property owners maximize their short-term rental success. We support you with:
✅ Guest screening recommendations – We provide property owners with best practices and third-party tools to help them screen guests effectively.
✅ Professional cleaners & maintenance referrals – We connect property owners with trusted service providers to help maintain their property in top condition.
✅ Performance insights – We provide owners with occupancy trends, revenue reports, and guest feedback analysis to optimize their listing.
Your property’s success is our success. The better it performs, the more value we create together! 🚀
How do you ensure my property stays protected?
We provide multiple safeguards to help property owners protect their investment:
✔️ Guest screening recommendations – We provide property owners with best practices and third-party tools to help them screen guests effectively.
✔️ Security deposits & insurance guidance – We assist property owners in setting up Airbnb’s Host Guarantee, Vrbo’s Property Protection, and other coverage options.
✔️ Smart locks & monitoring – We recommend and guide property owners in implementing keyless entry and noise monitoring solutions for added security.
✔️ House rules communication – We help property owners establish clear house rules and provide strategies for reinforcing them with guests.
Additionally, we encourage all property owners to carry short-term rental insurance for added protection.
Can I still use my property when I want?
Absolutely! You have full control over your calendar. If you want to use your property for personal stays, just block off the dates in your booking platform.
Do you provide furniture & interior design services?
Yes! We offer optional setup services to help property owners enhance their rental’s appeal:
🛋️ Furniture & Décor Selection – We help create a stylish and inviting space that stands out in listing photos.
📸 Professional Photography – High-quality images to showcase your property and improve listing visibility.
📍 Amenity Recommendations – We suggest high-value amenities like hot tubs, smart TVs, coffee makers, and workspaces to help attract more guests and improve guest satisfaction.
How long does it take to get my property listed and earning?
💼 Step 1: Onboarding (1-2 days) – We gather property details, provide recommendations, and customize our approach.
📝 Step 2: Listing Creation (3-5 days) – We optimize your Airbnb/Vrbo listing with professional photos, descriptions, and strategic pricing recommendations.
🚀 Step 3: Go Live! (5-7 days) – Your listing is fully optimized and ready for property owners to manage reservations and maximize their earnings.
Most property owners see increased listing visibility and guest inquiries within the first two weeks.
What if a guest damages my property?
We provide multiple layers of guidance to help property owners protect their investment:
1️⃣ Airbnb/Vrbo Host Protection – Airbnb offers a $3M host guarantee for damages, and Vrbo provides property protection options.
2️⃣ Security Deposits – We help property owners set appropriate deposit policies for added protection.
3️⃣ Short-Term Rental Insurance (Recommended) – We encourage property owners to obtain an STR insurance policy for full coverage.
4️⃣ Guest Screening Best Practices – We provide property owners with tools and strategies to help them screen guests effectively and minimize risks.
If damages occur, we guide property owners on how to handle claims and navigate Airbnb/Vrbo’s protection programs.
Do you guarantee bookings or income?
While we cannot guarantee a specific number of bookings (as market demand fluctuates), we provide property owners with strategies to enhance listing performance:
✅ Dynamic pricing guidance – We provide recommendations to help you adjust rates based on market trends, local events, and seasonality.
✅ Optimized listings – We help improve listing appeal with high-quality photos, engaging descriptions, and strategic keyword placement.
✅ Multi-platform visibility – We guide property owners on listing their rentals across platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia to expand their reach.
Our goal is to help property owners increase their property’s visibility and appeal to attract more potential guests.
What’s the next step to get started?
Ready to optimize your short-term rental? Here’s how to begin:
1️⃣ Schedule a Free Consultation – We discuss your goals and property details.
2️⃣ Property Onboarding – We assist with listing optimization, pricing recommendations, and marketing strategies.
3️⃣ Go Live & Take Control – Your listing is fully set up, and you manage reservations while we support you with expert insights.
📞 Call/Text: 705-996-6799
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.homeseekervacation.com
We empower property owners with the tools and strategies to maximize their rental’s potential—stress-free! 🚀
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