Tips for Helping Guests Avoid Spreading Cold & Flu in Your Vacation Rental

It’s cold and flu season and your vacation rental could be harboring the germs.  Let’s take some simple preventive measures to stop the spread of those germs to other guests, or even your own family.

Germ-proofing Amenities at Little Cost

Vacation rental owners can add a few low-cost amenities that guests will certainly appreciate this flu season.  Help guests prevent the spread of flu and other viruses by adding these items into your cleaning routine and guest welcome basket.

• Tissues 10 cubes for $12.59 – Keep your guests’ noses soft with Puffs Plus with Lotion  – Purchase on Amazon in bulk and keep a box in each bedroom and the main areas of your rental.  I’m sure you’d rather have your guests use tissues than to wipe their runny nose with their hand.  For just $.02 each, tissues are a much healthier option!
• Disinfecting Wipes – 4 pk for $11.52 – Lysol Disinfecting Wipes disinfects and helps the spread of viruses and bacteria.  Keep a pack available for guests to use.  Wipe down countertops, stovetops, doorknobs, light switches, sinks, faucets, appliances, TV remotes, toilets, and other fixtures in the home where germs may be lurking.
• Hand Sanitizer – 20 pk for $29.90 – Include a couple personal size bottles of Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitizer in your welcome basket.  Guests will appreciate the gift.
• Kitchen Hand Wash – 4 pk for $14.97 – This Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash provides protection against harmful bacteria and is gentle on the skin. It also helps to eliminate kitchen odors.
• Foaming Hand Soap – 5 pk for $12.49 – Handwashing is one of the main preventions for the spread of cold and flu.  Also keep bacteria from spreading by stocking this Dial Complete Foaming Hand Soap in your bathrooms.  The gentle soap comes in fresh scents of Spring Water and Fresh Pear.  It help eliminate common household bacteria.
• Disinfectant Spray – 2 ct for $7.99 – For those areas that can’t be cleaned with disinfectant wipes, use a disinfecting spray, such as Lysol Disinfecting Spray.  Use on trash cans, shower curtains, and other hard and soft surfaces where germs may be.  This spray also help eliminate mold and mildew.

Preventing the Spread of Flu Viruses in the Laundry

• Laundry Sanitizer Additive – 2 bottles for $19.94 – When chlorine bleach isn’t an option, try Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive.  It even works in cold water.  Add the sanitizer during the rinse cycle.
• Chlorine Bleach – 3 pack for $22.80 – Chlorine bleach has long been a standard for eliminating household germs.  Not only does chlorine bleach work for getting out laundry stains, it can also be used to fight germs during dishwashing and mopping.  The Clorox Bleach Clean Linen Scent makes your home and laundry smell extra fresh.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with letting your guests know about your extra germ-fighting efforts.

During cold and flu season, create a germ-fighting basket of supplies with items from the list above.  Include a laminated card or note encouraging your guests to help prevent the spread of flu viruses.

Snap a photo of your virus-fighting basket and post about it on social media.  

Include the air purifier as part of the amenities in your rental listing.

What are you doing to virus and germ-proof your rental?

Let us know in the comments below what steps you’re taking to fight germs, viruses, and bacteria in your property.  Share any specific products you’ve found that help prevent the spread of flu and cold viruses.