Dusting and Disinfecting: Method and Contact Points

Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing, and confusing the two is the most common mistake in short-term rental cleaning. Spraying disinfectant onto a dusty surface does not disinfect anything: it just sticks the dust down. Wiping a handle with a dry cloth does not remove any germs. The order matters, the dwell time matters, and above all, the list of surfaces to treat is not what you might expect. This guide gives you the method and the points that guests actually notice.

The two actions, and what they involve

The order never changes: dust first, then disinfect, then do the floors. Each step will undo the previous one if you mix them up.

Dusting: dry or damp, never in between

Dust is not removed, it is captured. A traditional feather duster just puts it back into the air, and it settles again twenty minutes later on what you just cleaned.

A slightly damp microfibre cloth is the best tool for almost all surfaces: it traps dust instead of moving it around. Damp, not wet: fold it in four for eight clean sides, and change side as soon as one is dirty.

Three exceptions to treat dry:

• Screens, including TVs, with a dry or barely damp microfibre and plain water. Never use products, alcohol or ammonia, as these damage the anti-glare coating.
• Untreated or oiled wood, which absorbs water.
• Fabric lampshades, to be vacuumed with a brush attachment.

The order in the room follows the same logic as the whole property: top to bottom. Light fittings, high shelves, tops of furniture, worktops, and only then the floors.

Contact points: the real list

This is where the difference lies between a clean property and a healthy one. The surfaces we look at are not the ones we touch, and it is the latter that spread germs.

The list to treat with disinfectant at every guest changeover:

A remote control should be cleaned with a disinfectant wipe or a microfibre dampened with disinfectant, never sprayed directly: liquid seeps between the buttons and ruins it.

Dwell time: the step everyone skips

A disinfectant does not work instantly. It works for the time stated on the label, usually between thirty seconds and five minutes depending on the product. Spraying and wiping immediately is just cleaning, not disinfecting.

The method that saves time instead of wasting it: spray all the surfaces in one area first, do something else, then come back to wipe. In a bathroom, spray the sink, taps, toilet and shower screen, go and do the bedroom, then come back to wipe. The dwell time runs while you work elsewhere.

Two safety rules that are non-negotiable:

• Never mix two products, especially bleach and descaler or vinegar: the reaction releases chlorine gas, which is toxic in enclosed spaces.
• Ventilate while using disinfectant products, which you should already be doing by opening windows at the start of cleaning.

General recommendations for using cleaning products and ventilation are detailed by ADEME and ANSES.

Cloth colour coding

Using a single cloth for the whole property spreads germs from the toilet to the kitchen worktop. Colour coding is the simplest solution, used in all professional cleaning:

• Red: toilets and surrounding area.
• Blue: sink, shower, bathroom surfaces.
• Green: kitchen and worktops.
• Yellow: furniture, general surfaces.

The exact convention does not matter as long as it is consistent from one property to another and between cleaners. Make sure you have enough microfibres, and wash them with tea towels, never with bath linen.

Delicate surfaces

Three materials are damaged by common products, and guests will only notice once the mark is permanent:

• Brushed stainless steel: always wipe in the direction of the grain, with a dedicated product or a damp microfibre, then buff dry. Circular motions leave visible swirls in side lighting.
• Marble, travertine and limestone: never use acidic products, vinegar or descaler. Acid etches the stone permanently.
• Oiled wood: use very little water, never alkaline detergent, and oil once a month.