Cleaning Guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and Travel Information
As you look forward to your “Mountain Social Distancing” Vacation getaway, we want to tell you what we are doing to eliminate the spread of the Covid-19/Coronavirus. Additionally, we will provide Information about shopping, etc…
Please bring your own hand sanitizer and disinfectant products.
As much as we would like to provide those items for Guest use, Inventory just does not allow for it at this time. (We do provide dish soap, hand soap, and a starter supply of laundry detergent, dishwasher tablets, toilet paper, paper towel, & trash bags).
When you arrive to the cabin, you should bring with you everything you will need. We do have an IGA and an Ingles Grocery store in Bryson City, but there is no guarantee the items you are looking for will be in stock (even in the early morning hours, you are likely to encounter quite a few people).
Our area Walmarts do offer curb-side pick up, and we recommend that if you take advantage of this service, reserve your pick up time in advance. Once you set up your pick up time/date, you will have a period of time to add or remove items in your cart. (Last time we did curb side pick up, we set up a pick up time of between 10:00AM-11:00AM, and we had until 2:00am that morning to make changes). Depending on which direction you are traveling, there are Walmarts in Murphy, NC to the west, Sylva, NC to the east/exit 85, and a little farther to the east/exit 98, is Walmart in Waynesville, which is right off the Highway.
We’ve created the following cleaning list and a checklist based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Our Housekeepers keep a copy with them to refer to during the Cleaning Process, and the Housekeeping Inspector reviews the completed Check Lists at the conclusion of each cleaning.
Thankfully, our Housekeepers have been with us for many years. Their performance is consistent and proven. Our Hot Tubs are Maintained and kept Sanitary by Trained and Licensed Professionals.
Our Family is dedicated to making sure your “Mountain Social Distancing” Vacation is Safe and is everything you hoped it would be and more!
These Guidelines do not replace our current Cleaning Policies and Procedures. They are in addition to our already Strict Guidelines.
Due to the additional Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures we have implemented, and the recommended amount of time to allow the property to Ventilate, we are unable to approve any Late Check Out requests.
If you would like to check in earlier than 4:00 PM, You are still Welcome to text our Housekeeping Manager (no sooner than the day before your arrival please), to request a text notification when your Cabin is ready. Contact Information is provided within your Check In Instructions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to properly “Air” the property before and during the Cleaning Process, we clean with the windows open and the ceiling fans on. As a result and depending on the time of the season, You may notice the occasional “Lady Bug” and/or “Stink Bugs” inside the Cabin. (Detailed Information about these harmless, albeit annoying insects, in the Welcome Book).
Additionally, there may be a light layer of Dust or Pollen (which looks like dust). – We always do everything we can to keep Insects/Critters in the forest, where they belong. You can do your part by being mindful of the fact that insects are drawn to light. If the lights are on, they will fly in. — Every Property we manage does maintain Preventative and on Demand Pest Control with “Orkin”. —
Please read below to learn more about our Cleaning Guidelines, Policies, and Procedures:
Cleaning and Disinfectant Process — Begins with Ventillation, Cleaning, then Disinfecting
A. General principles
- Cleaning and disinfecting are two different steps in the overall process, and both are required to lower the risk of contamination. The CDC defines these as follows:
- Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects, by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
- Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection. - Prevent cross contamination by using specific equipment by area (room, bathroom, kitchen)
- Plan the process to start with lowest risk areas (bedroom, living room) to highest risk areas (kitchen, bathroom)
- Define a cleaning checklist to help ensure completion and keep records (these can be useful in case of guest complaints)
- Ventilate the property during and after the process
B. Cleaning process
- Clean with water and suitable detergent (suitable products/detergents list available on the EPA website)
- Use a detergent or soap and water, and leave to act for enough time, usually 3 to 5 minutes (Per CDC and WHO Guidelines)
- Rinse, dry, and wipe to remove all products
- Clean and disinfect all cleaning equipment
C. Disinfection process
- Disinfect using the appropriate chemical per area. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective for disinfection. A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is available here. Additional resources are also available on the WHO and the CDC websites.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products utilized (concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
D. Prioritize high-touch surfaces such as
- Door handles
- Controls and switches (e.g. light switches, cooking controls, television controls, fan pull chains)
- Bathroom taps, toilet flush handles, toilet seats
- Utensils, cutlery and crockery
- Furniture such as chairs, tables, and parts of the bed frames
- Children facilities such as bunk beds, toys, or play equipment (if not removed from property)
- Linen, including those that appear unused
- Disinfecting Pillows and Mattresses/Mattress Covers
- Refuse, recycling bins, and any waste disposal containers
- Cleaning equipment
- Guest information, brochures, Guest Welcome Book
E. Linens, Towels, and Laundry in General
- Minimize handling of used linen to minimize risk of contamination, particularly shaking it
- Wash linen at highest temperature, and dry completely before storing
- Clean linen should be stored and handled separately from used linen (and changed between stays)
- Any other solid/bulk waste should be handled separately, and first
Disclaimer
These guidelines are based on publicly available information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and in consultation with the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA).
Last but certainly not least:
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, please DO NOT TRAVEL, and follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.
Stay home except to get medical care
- Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
- Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
- Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
- Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.