Whether you’re a first-time short-term rental host or you’ve been doing it for years, having to remove garbage can be a stressful process. You don’t want your guests to act like your cleaners,  but you also don’t want to spend hours cleaning up after them.

In this blog post, we will discuss the ten best practices for how to remove garbage from a short-term rental property. By following these tips, you can have a stress-free experience and make your guests feel welcome!

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today! 

Importance of Keeping Your Short-Term Rental Tidy

As a host, it is your responsibility to keep your rental property clean and tidy for guests. This means regular cleaning as well as occasional deep cleaning. But it also means removing garbage on a regular basis.

If you don’t remove garbage from your rental property, it will start to accumulate and create a chaotic environment. Not only is this unsightly, but it can also be dangerous. Piles of garbage can attract pests and vermin, which can create health and safety hazards for your guests.

In addition, guests will not feel comfortable in a messy environment. They may even leave early if the condition of the property is not up to their standards. Therefore, it is essential to remove garbage from your rental property on a regular basis.

Who Needs to Remove Garbage – Guests or Hosts?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as it ultimately depends on the specific situation and arrangement that is in place between the housecleaner and the vacation rental owner or manager. However, as a general rule of thumb, it is generally the responsibility of the housecleaner to take out the trash from the vacation rental property, especially if they are the ones who are responsible for cleaning up the property on a regular basis. This is often included in the cleaning fee you charge guests.

However, it is not uncommon to request guests to take out their own trash during their stay, primarily if the rental is located in a remote area where trash pickup may be less frequent. In this case, it would be the responsibility of the guest to take out the trash and dispose of it properly.

If you are unsure about who is responsible for taking out the trash at your vacation rental property, you can research what other short-term hosts are doing in your area.

Ten Best Practices for Airbnb Garbage Removal

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of garbage removal, let’s look at ten best practices for doing it. By following these tips, you can make sure that your rental property is always clean and tidy–and that your guests are happy!

#1 Create a designated place for garbage and recycling

The first step is to create a designated place for garbage and recycling. This will help keep your property organized and make it easier to remove waste regularly.

A designated place can be anything from a simple garbage can to a larger storage area – whatever works best for your rental property.

If you have a small property, a garbage can may be sufficient. However, if you have a larger property – or if you receive a lot of guests – you may need to invest in a larger storage area. This could be anything from a shed to a storage unit – again, whatever works best for your property.

#2 Educate your guests on what can be recycled

The second best practice is to educate your guests on what can be recycled. This will help reduce the amount of garbage you have to remove from your property.

There are many ways to do this, such as providing a list of recycling guidelines or placing signs in strategic locations near the garbage and recycling bins. Or include it in your house manual.

By educating your guests on what can be recycled, you can help to make your property more eco-friendly – and save yourself some time and effort in the process!

#3 Provide waste bins throughout the property

Having a thorough amount of waste bins will give guests a place to dispose of their garbage – and make it easier for you to remove it later. Waste bins can be placed in a variety of locations, such as in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area.

If you have a larger property, you may even want to consider placing waste bins outside – such as in the garden or on the patio.

#4 Have extra garbage bags on hand

It’s always a good idea to have extra garbage bags on hand. This way, if guests create more garbage than expected, they won’t have to let things spill onto the floor.

Extra garbage bags can be stored in a variety of locations, such as under the sink, in the closet, or in the garage. Have your cleaning crew add this to their checklist!

#5 Have a plan for dealing with oversized items

You will want to have a plan for dealing with more oversized items. This is important because you don’t want to be left with large items that you can’t dispose of yourself. Ideally, guests won’t be leaving large items at your rental, but it does happen.

There are many ways to deal with more oversized items, such as hiring a professional company to remove them – or asking your guests to dispose of them themselves.

Whatever you do, make sure you have a plan in place before you need it – that way, you won’t be left scrambling when the time comes.

#6 Schedule regular pickups

One way to make sure that garbage is removed from your property on a regular basis is to schedule regular pickups. This could be weekly or bi-weekly – whatever works best for you and your rental property.

There are many ways to do this, such as hiring a professional company or arranging for a friend or family member to do it – again, whatever works best for you.

The important thing is to make sure that garbage is removed regularly. By doing this, you can avoid accumulations of waste – and the problems that come with them!

#7 Be prepared for emergencies

It’s essential to be prepared for emergencies. This means having a plan in place for dealing with unexpected accumulations of garbage. For example, if a secret party takes place on your property.

This could be anything from hiring a professional company to remove the garbage – to having a backup plan for removing the trash yourself.

#8 Know how to remove hazardous materials

It is vital to be familiar with dealing with hazardous materials. This could include anything from oil and gasoline to cleaning products and batteries.

#9 Give your guests clear check-out instructions regarding how to remove garbage

When guests are checking out, be sure to give them clear instructions on how to remove garbage. This will help to ensure that they leave your property in the same condition as when they arrived.

Instructions could include anything from where to find the garbage and recycling bins – to what items need to be disposed of and how. Your house rules are a great place to provide this information and remind them in your automatic check-out message.

#10 Thank your guests for their cooperation!

Last but not least, don’t forget to thank your guests for their cooperation! This is a small gesture – but it can go a long way towards making your guests feel appreciated and ensuring you earn a 5-star review! 

Final Thoughts

Overall, by following these best practices, you can ensure a stress-free experience when it comes to garbage removal at your short-term rental. By being prepared and having a plan in place, you can avoid any unexpected surprises – and keep your property looking its best.

So, what are you waiting for? Put these tips into action today!

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!