9 Reasons to Embrace a Cleaning Routine During Your Muskoka Cottage Rental Adventure this Summer!
We are going to discuss why it’s essential to maintain a cleaning routine during your Muskoka cottage rental.
As summer rolls around, you’ve made the exciting decision to rent a cottage in Muskoka. Amidst the anticipation of lazy days by the lake and time spent with family and friends, a cleaning routine may understandably be the furthest thing from your mind. However, particularly if you have little ones in tow, establishing and adhering to a cleaning routine is imperative to ensure a safe and hygienic environment. By establishing and committing to a cleaning routine from the outset, you not only uphold the original condition of your temporary home but ensure that it remains a comfortable and a welcoming space throughout your stay.
Drawing from insights from my parents’ experience of renting out their cottage to families for over two decades. Here’s why prioritizing a cleaning routine during your stay is essential:
1. Hygiene
Maintaining cleanliness is crucial to curb the spread of germs and bacteria, especially in households bustling with young children. This is also especially true when renting a cottage with another couple or family, the presence of multiple individuals can lead to a rapid accumulation of germs and mess. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize regular cleaning to ensure a healthy and hygienic environment for everyone.
When sharing a rental with another family, collaboration is key to ensure cleanliness doesn’t fall by the wayside. Implementing a simple yet effective cleaning plan ensures that both parties equally contribute to the upkeep of the space. This doesn’t necessitate complexity; a straightforward approach that both families can easily follow suffices.
For instance, one family might take charge of tidying up in the morning, while both families join forces to clean after lunch. In the evening, the other family can handle tidying up after dinner. This systematic division of tasks not only ensures a consistently tidy environment but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility, promoting harmony and cleanliness throughout your cottage retreat.
2. Mitigate Losing Items
When staying at a rental, it’s all too easy for belongings to scatter and important items to go missing, especially when young children are in the mix. Kids have a knack for picking up and misplacing things. That’s not to discount adults either lol. Make it essential to establish a system for organization and item tracking for you and for your family.
To mitigate the risk of losing valuables, consider designating a specific spot in your bedroom for storing important items and electronics. This designated area serves as a home base for essentials like your phone charger, keys, gadgets, and other valuables. Each day, make a habit of returning these items to their designated spot to ensure they’re accounted for and readily accessible when needed. This goes for clothing and other items too! At the end of evening make sure to put clothing and anything that was in your suitcase in your room.
Additionally, encourage everyone in your party to promptly put away clothing and any other items of importance in their designated spaces within their bedroom. By instilling a routine of tidying up and returning items to their designated spots, you can minimize the likelihood of items getting misplaced or overlooked amidst the excitement of your cottage stay.
My parents discovered a variety of items left behind at the cottage, ranging from phone chargers, clothing, and baby items. Establishing a system to keep track of belongings not only prevents the frustration of losing items during your stay but also streamlines the packing process when it’s time to depart. By diligently returning items to their designated spots each day, you’ll save valuable time and energy, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition when leaving the rental.
3. Safety
Keeping the cottage clean is crucial for safeguarding young children from potential hazards such as slips on spills or accessing items they shouldn’t. Children’s innate curiosity leads them to explore every corner of their environment, making it imperative to maintain a tidy and clutter-free space. By proactively cleaning up messes, you create a safer environment for everyone, minimizing the risk of accidents.
4. Enjoyment of Stay
From a personal standpoint, I find that a neat and tidy environment significantly enhances the ambiance and comfort of any space. A clutter-free and tidy spot creates a welcoming atmosphere that invites relaxation and enjoyment. By prioritizing cleanliness during your stay, you can create a place where you can fully unwind.
5. Respect for Property
Renting a cottage provides a valuable opportunity to instill in children the importance of respecting other people’s property. By emphasizing the significance of leaving the cottage clean and tidy, you not only uphold your responsibility as a renter but also impart valuable lessons in consideration and accountability to your children.
It’s an act of courtesy to leave the property in the same state—or even better—than you found it. By adhering to this principle, you contribute to fostering a culture of respect and mutual consideration within the rental community.
6. Avoiding Additional Charges
Make sure to look at the fine print on cleaning charges when booking with an agency in the area such as: Cottage Vacations, Muskoka District Rentals, or Muskoka Cottage Management. As well as the fine print with other rental companies such as Airbnb, or Vrbo.
To steer clear of unexpected fees, it’s essential to leave the cottage in the same condition or even better than you found it. Take careful note of any specific cleaning instructions provided by the rental agency or host. In my parents’ experience, they found it beneficial to leave clear instructions for guests to follow before their departure. This streamlined the cleaning process and ensured that everyone was on the same page.
Follow the provided instructions diligently and make sure to return items to their original positions. By adhering to these guidelines before your departure, you not only prevent the inconvenience of extra charges but also demonstrate your respect and consideration as a guest.
7. Maintaining a Good Relationship with Owner/Agency
Building a positive rapport with the owner and rental agency is essential for future rental opportunities and a hassle-free experience. Owners often communicate with agencies about guests’ behavior and the condition in which they left the cottage. If a guest leaves the property in disarray—such as moving furniture, leaving garbage, or leaving a big mess—the owner may relay this feedback to the agency. Consequently, the agency might choose to restrict future rentals for that guest.
To ensure continued access to desirable rental properties and a smooth rental process, it’s crucial to uphold a respectful and responsible demeanor during your stay. By treating the cottage with care, adhering to any rules or guidelines provided, and leaving the property in a tidy condition, you lay the foundation for a positive relationship with the owner or agency. This increases the likelihood of being welcomed back for future rentals and facilitates a mutually beneficial relationship based on trust and respect.
8. Deterrence of Unwanted Animals and Pests
Enjoying meals outdoors on the deck adds to the charm of your cottage experience, but it’s crucial to remain vigilant about potential pest or animal intrusions. To safeguard your family’s safety, put away any leftover food after dining to avoid attracting raccoons, bears, or other wildlife.
The same principle applies when having a bonfire outside. Ensure that all food scraps are cleaned up and properly disposed of to deter animals from being drawn to the area. By maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in your outdoor dining and recreational spaces, you not only minimize the risk of pest infestations but also create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone at the cottage.
9. Simplify Departure
Staying on top of cleaning throughout your cottage rental can significantly ease the final day’s tasks. Avoid leaving everything to the last minute, as it can lead to unnecessary stress on departure day. Ensuring that all your belongings are packed the day before departure is crucial for a smoother exit and packing up the car. Many cottages have an exit time, be sure to confirm that with the agency, it’s important to adhere to their schedule. Owners often need access to the cottage after you leave so they can prepare for the arrival of new guests, and time is limited, especially during the busy summer season when bookings are frequently back to back.
It is essential to have a cleaning routine while renting a cottage whether that be for the weekend or a week. It makes things a lot smoother when leaving your Muskoka rental cottage.
By establishing and faithfully following a cleaning routine from the start, you not only cultivate an inviting atmosphere for you and your family to enjoy but also prioritize their safety and well-being. A clean and organized environment minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries, particularly important when little ones are running around and exploring every corner of the cottage. By regularly tidying up and keeping surfaces clear of clutter, you create a space where everyone can relax and unwind without worry.
So, as you set out on this Muskoka cottage adventure, remember that a little diligence in cleaning can go a long way in the enjoyment and tranquility of your Muskoka getaway.