Requirement to wash towels?

[duffy]

I've rented condos before, but we never had to wash the towels before we left for the next renter. Can someone explain what exactly would be required of me?

I've heard that I should strip all the beds, and wash all the towels. I do this anyway. The last condo we stayed in had 3 bathrooms, and they were STUFFED with towels. I would have needed 3 loads of laundry to do them all.

Or is it as I suspect, that I would be asked to place a load in the washer and that's it?

I have read that it's "required". Does that mean that I would forfeit any deposit if I don't do load after load of towels before leaving?

I've been hotly debating this issue on a thread about Windsor Hills, and a family who stayed there felt that it was dirty enough to have to wash every item of linen before using, and then having to wash the towels before leaving, so she ended up washing 32 loads of laundry that week. I can't believe that I'd need to wash that much laundry!!

I've also read that we need to bring our own toiletries, dish soap and toilet paper, and that this is a common practice with condo rentals??

Thanks.

Editing to add, I strip all the beds anyway, but don't wash all the towels. I just start a load. I should have been more clear!

 

[mbb]

Yes, in most rentals you will need to provide your own "provisions", toilet paper, laundry soap, dishwasher, dish soap, shampoo, coffee, tea, salt/pepper, sugar/splenda, and the like.

Before you sign any agreements with owners or MCs, just ask what the requirements are for departure.
Ask everything and anything you need to to reassure yourself.
Do your due diligence

Again, most require that you strip the beds, start a load of laundry, and run the DW, before you leave.


HTH

 

[proud_canadian]

We rented a condo last month, and I don't recall exactly what we were supposed to do with the towels. However, we just did a load of laundry every day or two. Mostly it was our clothes, but we also washed anything we used. So, for example, in the closet we had stacks of extra towels, but we never touched them, so we never washed them. I don't believe we were expected to wash what we didn't use. The morning we left, I washed the towels/washcloths/tea towels we used that morning. Then we finished packing up, and I think I threw them in the towel before we left. We also had to strip the beds, and I think I started a load of sheets.

As long as you keep on top of the laundry, it shouldn't be a big deal. And we are not the type of people at home or on vacation to use a towel/washcloth/tea towel once and then wash it. We usually use a towel for a few days before washing it. The laundry we HAD to do was never an inconvenience.

As for supplies, we did have to supply toilet paper (one roll was in each bathroom already, and one we never even had to change as it was a huge super roll, and we were at the parks for long days), paper towels (brought one roll, more than enough even for using as napkins), dishsoap (brought a small container), laundry soap (bought while down there), hand soap (there was one almost done bottle left by previous owners, but we had brought our own anyways), etc. But I knew this from reading the DIS and we were prepared so no biggie

 

[duffy]

As long as you keep on top of the laundry, it shouldn't be a big deal. And we are not the type of people at home or on vacation to use a towel/washcloth/tea towel once and then wash it. We usually use a towel for a few days before washing it. The laundry we HAD to do was never an inconvenience.

Yeah, I agree. We also use them a few times.

As for supplies, we did have to supply toilet paper (one roll was in each bathroom already, and one we never even had to change as it was a huge super roll, and we were at the parks for long days), paper towels (brought one roll, more than enough even for using as napkins), dishsoap (brought a small container), laundry soap (bought while down there), hand soap (there was one almost done bottle left by previous owners, but we had brought our own anyways), etc. But I knew this from reading the DIS and we were prepared so no biggie

I'm not too thrilled with this, but it's a good thing to know ahead. Thanks.

 

[duffy]

Yes, in most rentals you will need to provide your own "provisions", toilet paper, laundry soap, dishwasher, dish soap, shampoo, coffee, tea, salt/pepper, sugar/splenda, and the like.

Before you sign any agreements with owners or MCs, just ask what the requirements are for departure.
Ask everything and anything you need to to reassure yourself.
Do your due diligence

Again, most require that you strip the beds, start a load of laundry, and run the DW, before you leave.


HTH

Do I HAVE to strip beds and start a load? Is there a fine if we don't?

And it is just "start a load", right? As opposed to "wash, dry and stock every single towel in the bathrooms", right?

Thanks.

 

[mbb]

Do I HAVE to strip beds and start a load? Is there a fine if we don't?

And it is just "start a load", right? As opposed to "wash, dry and stock every single towel in the bathrooms", right?

Thanks.

It depends on the owner and/or the individual property management company.

Some homeowners completely supply laundry soap, tp, little packets of salt/pepper, little shampoos, coffee/tea packets, etc, etc - everything you may *reasonably* need for your stay. In all our rentals, we've only had 2 properties like this. And they've been more $$$ than others. I call them my "Concierge Villas"

Then there are properties, what I call "One Day Basics" with a few rolls of TP/bathroom, some packets of coffee, one little shampoo/bathroom, no soaps for DW or laundry.

Some supply what I call "Grocery Before Pool/Hot Tub"

There's a roll of TP in the bathroom.
And that's it.

Will you be "fined" (meaning lose part or all of your deposit) if you don't strip the beds, and start a laundry/DW...???

It depends on the owner and the property management company.
If it's their stated policy, and you rented the property....

Welcome to the Wild West of Vacation Rentals!!

Which is why, as a consumer, due diligence is always advised.
Ask, ask, ask.

And if you don't know what questions to ask, ask the owner what you should know about the property before you rent.
And if the owner/mc doesn't get back to you - red flag.
If the owner/mc doesn't answer your question to your satisfaction, ask again...or move on.

There are literally THOUSANDS of properties, and a good percentage of those have good owners/mcs.
And a smaller percentage of those have GREAT owners.

And those good/great owners/pmcs, all want you to have a great vacation in their property.

Listen to your instincts.
Do your due diligence.
Have a great vacation.

HTH!!

 

[kidshop]

You have to ask exactly what is required and what is supplied before you sign anything or send money!

For example, I was reading over the contract on the house I was wanting to rent for a trip this Dec. It said something like I would have to leave the house in a reasonably clean condition. So I emailed to ask if that meant I had to vaccuum and sweep and do laundry etc. (this is a 4 bed 4 bath house!!!). I wanted to know exactly what this entailed. I was reassured by the answer, so I went ahead and rented.

Nearly every place requires you to bring personal use items. Our last townhome (through vacationcentralflorida) did have Sams size containers of trash bags and dishwasher soap and one load size box of laundry soap. but only one roll of tp per bathroom and no hand soap for the sink.

ASK! Know before you agree to anything.

 

[JANNYANS]

I know several owners all of whom have different requirements but generally speaking they all ask if it is possible before you leave the home to strip the beds you have used -this is so the cleaners know which have been used -and try to leave as few towel as possible to wash -this is because they take a while to dry.What this means in effect is that hopefully the only towels left are the ones you use the morning of your departure.
Renting a home is self catering vacation so there will be starter supply of items -dishwasher tablets -toilet paper, trash bags maybe but everythng else you need to supply.
Always ask questions of the owner as to what you have to do and if there are penalties for not doing them-I have not heard of any owner who has this clause in their rental agreement.

 

[ClanHarrison]

My Lord...!

 

[twooley2]

12 of us stayed in a 5 bedroom house and plenty of towels were provided throughout the week and we all brought a beach towel of our own we did not do 32 load of laundry although if everything is washed that is in the house this does add up quite quickly. I would never have been able to do that we were just too busy and did not spend enough time at the house. When we left we started a load of towels and put them in the laundry area and stripped all the beds. A lot of bedding in a 5 bedroom house. The people with us who needed what they needed throughout the week just did their own laundry and I don't think they did a lot because we were only at the house a couple of hours per day and to sleep. All 12 of us were over 11 yrs old too. I think the only way to have it clean for the next guest is if the management or cleaning company has a fresh supply of bedspreads, towels etc and takes the old away to be cleaned in bigger type washers kind of replacements for each home to take them to another location and clean elsewhere.

 

[isla bonita]

You have some geat advice. I think if you plan on renting the best way is to ask the owner.man co you rent from. The homes are all individually owned and place different items in each home and different terms and conditions.

 

[duffy]

Thanks for all the tips.

I've never rented a condo in Florida, and was really surprised that so many places ask you to do their work! I guess I'm spoiled by my previous rentals.

I worked as a maid, years ago, at Hidden Valley ski resort in western Pa., and we did it all! Every day, all new towels, made beds, etc. I even called them to ask what the requirements were, and was told that renters are asked to just gather all the garbage in one location. That's pretty much what I remembered. I love this: they said, "just bring your food and your clothes! If you need something, call us!"

But that was years ago. We also rented condos at SeaMist resort in Mashpee, MA and at Mt. Snow ski resort in Vermont this summer. I even called them, because I didn't remember any rules about doing load after load of laundry, or having to supply so much. And, no, we didn't have to do that. They supplied all kinds of things like aluminum foil, coffee filters, salt and pepper, dish soap, etc. Sea Mist has laundry facilities, and they even give you the quarters and the soap!

So, it's been interesting learning what all is provided by the different places. Orlando rentals really are the "wild wild west" of condo rentals!! I thought they basically were all like hotels, the way the condos we've rented have been.

I'm considering a big family gathering, maybe 10-14 people, and just getting started trying to wade through all this stuff. I took it for granted that there would be all the supplies I needed, and doing the laundry for the next renter? That's not for us!!

mbb, can I get the names of the "concierge villa" places???

 

[happylittlefamily]

Thanks for all the tips.

I've never rented a condo in Florida, and was really surprised that so many places ask you to do their work! I guess I'm spoiled by my previous rentals.

I worked as a maid, years ago, at Hidden Valley ski resort in western Pa., and we did it all! Every day, all new towels, made beds, etc. I even called them to ask what the requirements were, and was told that renters are asked to just gather all the garbage in one location. That's pretty much what I remembered. I love this: they said, "just bring your food and your clothes! If you need something, call us!"

But that was years ago. We also rented condos at SeaMist resort in Mashpee, MA and at Mt. Snow ski resort in Vermont this summer. I even called them, because I didn't remember any rules about doing load after load of laundry, or having to supply so much. And, no, we didn't have to do that. They supplied all kinds of things like aluminum foil, coffee filters, salt and pepper, dish soap, etc. Sea Mist has laundry facilities, and they even give you the quarters and the soap!

So, it's been interesting learning what all is provided by the different places. Orlando rentals really are the "wild wild west" of condo rentals!! I thought they basically were all like hotels, the way the condos we've rented have been.

I'm considering a big family gathering, maybe 10-14 people, and just getting started trying to wade through all this stuff. I took it for granted that there would be all the supplies I needed, and doing the laundry for the next renter? That's not for us!!

mbb, can I get the names of the "concierge villa" places???

Duffy,
This was the first place we've ever rented that was supplied with almost nothing. It's also the first one that ever requested we wash and dry all the towels before leaving. I don't think any of them have ever asked us to even wash them, for sanitary reasons. They always take them to the boiler room and do them in higher temperature water with commercial washers/dryers. Some have been more supplied than others, but we always had the entire week worth of tp supplied, at least 2 rolls of paper towels, brand new dishwasher tabs, brand new trial sized bottle of dish detergent, a couple single load size boxes of laundry detergent, salt, pepper, etc.
Just make sure, as you look around for a rental that you find out what you will need to supply and/or bring with you on your trip. Factor in the cost of having to buy all those supplies into what it would cost you to stay somewhere that already provides them for you. In the end, it might end up cheaper going with the one that has everything already there for you. It's a whole lot more convenient not having to worry about having to go shopping right away too!
Oh, and one thing to ask as you are putting together a list of questions...
Ask what kind of washer they have in their unit/home. If it's an HE machine, you'll know to bring HE detergent with you or if that's what you will need to buy when staying there. I brought our detergent from our house to cut down on the expense of buying a bottle of laundry detergent out of town, but our detergent was not compatible with the washing machine in the rental. In turn, I had to buy detergent to work with their washer.

 

[duffy]

Duffy,
This was the first place we've ever rented that was supplied with almost nothing. It's also the first one that ever requested we wash and dry all the towels before leaving. I don't think any of them have ever asked us to even wash them, for sanitary reasons. They always take them to the boiler room and do them in higher temperature water with commercial washers/dryers. Some have been more supplied than others, but we always had the entire week worth of tp supplied, at least 2 rolls of paper towels, brand new dishwasher tabs, brand new trial sized bottle of dish detergent, a couple single load size boxes of laundry detergent, salt, pepper, etc.
Just make sure, as you look around for a rental that you find out what you will need to supply and/or bring with you on your trip. Factor in the cost of having to buy all those supplies into what it would cost you to stay somewhere that already provides them for you. In the end, it might end up cheaper going with the one that has everything already there for you. It's a whole lot more convenient not having to worry about having to go shopping right away too!
Oh, and one thing to ask as you are putting together a list of questions...
Ask what kind of washer they have in their unit/home. If it's an HE machine, you'll know to bring HE detergent with you or if that's what you will need to buy when staying there. I brought our detergent from our house to cut down on the expense of buying a bottle of laundry detergent out of town, but our detergent was not compatible with the washing machine in the rental. In turn, I had to buy detergent to work with their washer.

Thanks!

 

[JANNYANS]

Duffy
Don't give up on a private rental simply ask the owner if they can arrange extra cleans for you or if they provide a welcome basket with the main things in it .Many will organiser a shopping basket to eb at the home for you -one that will be made to your requirements .This may invove a cost but it may not depends on the owner .

 

[duffy]

Duffy
Don't give up on a private rental simply ask the owner if they can arrange extra cleans for you or if they provide a welcome basket with the main things in it .Many will organiser a shopping basket to eb at the home for you -one that will be made to your requirements .This may invove a cost but it may not depends on the owner .

I think my most important request will be to have lots and lots and lots of nice, thick and fluffy towels! I don't want to HAVE to wash them.

Is there a "standard" amount of towels that there should be? For example, so many bath towels, so many wash cloths etc., per person, per week?

 

[JANNYANS]

The problem is there are no set rules and regulations as to what should be in a home -a guideline is 2 towels of each size per person the home sleeps -so 2 washcloths 2 hand and 2 bath each -but in reality most caring owners will supply far more than this so the need to wash everyday is removed -unless you want to of course .
When I stay in a home I usually put a wash on every couple of days only because I don't want damp towels hanging about in the dirty linen baskets.
From speaking to owners -I have yet to hear anyone of them say there is an obligation to wash eveything in the home if there was then the cleaners are not doing the job they are paid to do and they would want to know.

 

[dtum]

We're actually not planning on bringing anything except food that we know we can't buy in FL. There is a super walmart and super target extremely close to WH so we will go buy anything we need after we take inventory. We'll need to buy food anyway so picking up a few sundries is not a big deal. GS has already volunteered to grill steaks so I know he'll be making a trip (plus we'll need fresh veg and fruit).

 

[judi514]

The property that your renting should have a Hotel/Restaurant license from the state of FL. You should ask the owner or man/co if they are licensed before booking. Requirements for towels are 2 bath, 2 hand & 2 washcloths per person. So in a 5 bed villa that sleeps 12 including a sofa bed there must be 24 of each. Some villas supply pool towels as well. Usual check-out time is 10 am, check-in time is 4 pm. 6 hours for a maid to fully clean a 5 bed, 5 bath villa & wash the bed linens & towels. Most owners & man/*** usually ask that you keep up with the laundering of the towels & not leave excessive amounts dirty. 6 hours would probably not be enough time to wash all those towels & bedding in addition to cleaning the whole villa. Judi

 

[duffy]

The property that your renting should have a Hotel/Restaurant license from the state of FL. You should ask the owner or man/co if they are licensed before booking. Requirements for towels are 2 bath, 2 hand & 2 washcloths per person. So in a 5 bed villa that sleeps 12 including a sofa bed there must be 24 of each. Some villas supply pool towels as well. Usual check-out time is 10 am, check-in time is 4 pm. 6 hours for a maid to fully clean a 5 bed, 5 bath villa & wash the bed linens & towels. Most owners & man/*** usually ask that you keep up with the laundering of the towels & not leave excessive amounts dirty. 6 hours would probably not be enough time to wash all those towels & bedding in addition to cleaning the whole villa. Judi

I would have expected the owner to bring a supply of freshly laundered towels to the unit, instead of having to stay there and wash them all.

As a maid at a ski resort, we drove all around with a van filled with towels. We'd go in, strip the beds, take out all the dirty linen, and stock the bathrooms with the ones we'd brought.