Cleaning Standards: How iHousing Ensures Consistent Quality

Why Clean Properties Make More Money (It's Not Just About Hygiene)

Here's a truth many hosts don't realize:

Cleanliness directly impacts your revenue.

It's not just about hygiene. It's about:

• Guest reviews: Cleanliness rating is the #1 factor guests consider when choosing
• Repeat bookings: Guests return to properties that feel consistently fresh
• Higher rates: You can charge 20-30% more for "sparkling clean" vs "acceptable"
• Fewer complaints: Clean properties have 70% fewer guest issues

At iHousing, we don't leave cleanliness to chance. We've built a comprehensive cleaning system that ensures every guest arrives to a spotless property.

This article explains our cleaning standards, why they matter, and how we maintain consistency across 100+ properties.

The iHousing Cleaning Advantage: In-House Team

Why We Don't Outsource Cleaning

Most Airbnb management companies outsource cleaning to freelance cleaners or third-party agencies. We don't.

Our approach: In-house cleaning team employed directly by iHousing.

Why this matters:

Factor	Outsourced Cleaning	iHousing In-House Team
Quality Control	Inconsistent (different cleaners each time)	Consistent (trained to iHousing standards)
Accountability	Low (contractor can disappear)	High (employed by us, performance tracked)
Cost	Markup added by agency	No markup (direct employment)
Response Time	Subject to contractor availability	We control scheduling (faster turnover)
Emergency Clean	Often unavailable	Team on-call for emergencies

Our Cleaning Team Structure

• Team Size: 12 full-time cleaners
• Coverage: 3-person teams (one team can clean 2-3 properties per day)
• Training: 2-week intensive training before solo assignments
• Supervision: 1 supervisor for every 3 teams
• Quality Assurance: Random spot checks by supervisor

The 50-Point Cleaning Checklist

Every iHousing property goes through the same 50-point cleaning process before every guest arrival. Every single time.

Living Area & Dining (10 points)

1. Floors vacuumed and mopped (including under furniture)
2. All surfaces dusted (shelves, tables, TV console)
3. Windows cleaned (inside and out for ground floor)
4. Carpets vacuumed (and shampooed monthly)
5. Sofa and cushions vacuumed and fluffed
6. Remote controls wiped and disinfected
7. Light switches wiped and disinfected
8. Decor items dusted and arranged neatly
9. Air conditioner filters cleaned
10. Cobwebs removed from ceilings and corners

Kitchen (12 points)

1. All countertops cleaned and disinfected
2. Sink scrubbed and sanitized
3. Cabinets wiped inside and out
4. Appliances cleaned (microwave, toaster, kettle)
5. Refrigerator cleaned inside and out (old food discarded)
6. Stove/oven cleaned (burners removed and cleaned under)
7. Floor swept and mopped (including under refrigerator)
8. Dishes washed and put away (or run through dishwasher)
9. Trash emptied and bin lined with fresh bag
10. Towel replaced (hand towel, dish cloth)
11. Spices and condiments checked (expired items replaced)
12. Pantry items organized (neat arrangement)

Bedrooms (10 points per bedroom)

1. All linens stripped and replaced with fresh
2. Bed made professionally (hotel-style corners)
3. Pillows fluffed and arranged
4. Mattress protector checked (replaced if stained)
5. Nightstands cleared and wiped
6. Lamps and light switches wiped
7. Wardrobe/drawers wiped inside
8. Mirrors cleaned (streak-free)
9. Carpets vacuumed (including under bed)
10. Windows cleaned and curtains dusted

Bathroom (10 points per bathroom)

1. Toilet scrubbed and disinfected (inside and out)
2. Sink and taps cleaned and polished
3. Shower/tub scrubbed (including grout lines)
4. Mirror cleaned (streak-free)
5. Floors mopped with disinfectant
6. Towels replaced (bath towel, hand towel, floor mat)
7. Toilet paper replenished (2+ rolls)
8. Soap and shampoo refilled
9. Ventilation fan cleaned (dust removed)
10. Drains checked and cleared (prevent clogging)

General & Exterior (8 points)

1. Entrance swept and wiped
2. Shoes organized (if storage provided)
3. Keys/access checked (spare key location verified)
4. Light bulbs tested (replaced if blown)
5. Smoke detector tested
6. WiFi password verified
7. Air conditioning tested (and set to 24°C)
8. Final walkthrough (supervisor sign-off)

Quality Control: How We Ensure Consistency

Three-Tier Quality Assurance

Tier 1: Cleaner Self-Check

After cleaning, the cleaner:

• Completes digital checklist via mobile app
• Takes before/after photos (stored in property file)
• Reports any damages or maintenance issues

Tier 2: Supervisor Spot Checks

Our supervisors conduct random spot checks:

• Frequency: 20% of cleans (1 in 5 properties)
• Timing: After cleaner completion, before guest arrival
• Scoring: Properties graded 1-10 (must score 8+ to pass)
• Failure Protocol: Properties failing 8+ score get immediate re-clean

Tier 3: Guest Feedback Loop

We monitor guest reviews for cleanliness mentions:

• Cleanliness Rating 5: Positive feedback to cleaner (performance bonus eligible)
• Cleanliness Rating 4: Review by supervisor (additional training if needed)
• Cleanliness Rating 3 or below: Immediate investigation, re-training plan

Linen & Towel Management

In-House Laundry Facility

We don't depend on external laundries:

• Our Facility: On-site laundry with commercial washers and dryers
• Capacity: Can process 200 sets of linens per day
• Quality Control: We inspect linens after washing (stains = retirement)
• Replacement Schedule: Linens retired after 12 months or 50 washes

Linen Standards

Item	Thread Count	Replacement Schedule
Bed Sheets	300-400 TC (cotton-rich blend)	Every 12 months or 50 washes
Pillowcases	300-400 TC	Every 12 months or 50 washes
Towels	500-600 GSM (thick, absorbent)	Every 9 months or 40 washes
Comforters	Microfiber (hypoallergenic)	Every 18 months

Chemicals & Supplies: What We Use

Cleaning Products

We use hospital-grade disinfectants:

• Floor Cleaner: Antibacterial formula (kills 99.9% of germs)
• Bathroom Cleaner: Heavy-duty (removes soap scum, limescale)
• Glass Cleaner: Streak-free formula
• Multi-Surface: Safe for all surfaces (wood, tile, laminate)
• Disinfectant Spray: EPA-approved (effective against viruses, bacteria)

Supplies Provision

Every guest receives:

• Toilet Paper: 2+ rolls (we never run out mid-stay)
• Hand Soap: Antibacterial liquid soap
• Dish Soap: For washing dishes
• Sponge & Scourer: For dishwashing
• Towel Set: 1 bath towel, 1 hand towel per guest
• Floor Mat: For bathroom

Turnover Efficiency: Fast Clean, Same Quality

Same-Day Turnover Capability

Our system allows same-day checkout and check-in:

Property Size	Clean Time	Team Size
Studio / 1 Bedroom	1.5 - 2 hours	1 cleaner
2 Bedroom	2 - 2.5 hours	1-2 cleaners
3 Bedroom	2.5 - 3 hours	2 cleaners
Entire House (4+ bedrooms)	3 - 4 hours	2-3 cleaners

Result: We can accommodate 10 AM checkout / 3 PM check-in same day.

Emergency Cleaning Protocol

If guest extends stay or last-minute booking:

• Priority Scheduling: Emergency clean jumps queue
• Extended Team: Deploy additional cleaners if needed
• Timeline: 2-hour turnaround for basic refresh (full clean for new guests)

Cost Efficiency: In-House vs Outsourced

Cleaning Cost Comparison

Scenario	Outsourced Agency	iHousing In-House
2-Bedroom Condo	RM 80-120 per clean	RM 50-70 per clean
3-Bedroom Condo	RM 100-150 per clean	RM 60-80 per clean
Entire House	RM 150-200 per clean	RM 80-100 per clean

Annual Savings (15 turnovers/month):

• 2-Bedroom: ~RM 6,000-9,000/year saved
• 3-Bedroom: ~RM 7,200-12,600/year saved
• Entire House: ~RM 8,400-18,000/year saved

Real Results: Cleanliness Impact on Revenue

Case Study: Identical Properties, Different Cleaning Standards

We tested this with 2 identical condos in same building:

Metric	Property A (Basic Clean)	Property B (iHousing Standard)
Cleanliness Rating	4.2 / 5.0	4.9 / 5.0
Nightly Rate	RM 180	RM 220 (+22%)
Occupancy Rate	62%	78% (+26%)
Monthly Revenue	RM 3,356	RM 5,313 (+58%)
Guest Complaints	12 complaints/year	1 complaint/year

Result: Property B earns 58% more revenue purely due to higher cleanliness standards (same location, same furnishing).

Owner Dashboard: Cleaning Transparency

iHousing owners can see:

• Cleaning Schedule: When your property was cleaned last
• Cleaner Assigned: Who cleaned your property
• Quality Score: Supervisor rating (if spot-checked)
• Guest Feedback: Cleanliness rating from last 5 reviews

Comparison: Self-Managed Cleaning vs iHousing

We QC (supervisor spot checks)

Aspect	Self-Managed	With iHousing
Cleaning Quality	Variable (depends on cleaner)	Consistent (trained team, QC checks)
Cleaning Cost	RM 80-150 per clean	Included in management fee
Your Involvement	Find, schedule, supervise cleaners	We handle everything
Quality Control	You inspect (time-consuming)
Emergency Clean	Depends on cleaner availability	Team on-call responsive
Supplies Management	You buy and replace	We stock and replace

Taking Action: Experience the iHousing Clean

For Property Owners

WhatsApp iHousing today:

• Get your property professionally cleaned (trial clean available)
• See the 50-point checklist in action
• Receive before/after photos
• Experience the quality difference

For Guests

Book an iHousing property: Experience the difference that professional cleaning makes.

Cleanliness: The Revenue Multiplier

Many factors affect Airbnb revenue. Cleanliness is the one you can fully control.

With iHousing:

• In-house cleaning team (quality control, cost efficiency)
• 50-point checklist (every surface, every time)
• Three-tier QA (cleaner, supervisor, guest feedback loop)
• Linen management (fresh, high-quality, replaced regularly)

Result: 4.8-5.0 cleanliness ratings, higher occupancy, premium pricing, fewer complaints.

WhatsApp iHousing today: Let us show you how professional cleaning increases your Airbnb revenue.