@Debbie-L I was really impressed when my 11 year old son started carefully arranging the pillows/cushions and throws on the sofas at the end of our recent housesit, ready for the owner’s return. I didn’t even need to ask him to do it. I must be training him well!
@Debbie yes indeed. You can never start too early! LOL
Personally I don’t have the time to give Airbnb standards, nor do I expect them. I am comfortable with a family home, it’s not an Airbnb. I do expect cleanliness, and preferably a space in the fridge, and for it to be clean - but I’m fairly relaxed. I once took a day off work to clean, but didn’t find the favour had been returned (i.e. dust in very obvious places suggesting a proper hoovering hadn’t been done, bed not made, some plants dead in the garden etc). I decided just to tone down the cleaning after that! Also, I’m finding that quite a few sitters just don’t water the garden as I request - just got back and found four pots of my trees almost dead/ dead. Ironically we’d done a sit with over an hours watering needed of the garden each evening, which we did as part of the sit. We have a small London garden, it annoys me that people cannot be bothered to water the garden properly. So no - not prepared to do Airbnb standard, people are coming to a nice, clean tidied home but no more days off to prepare for it, and it’s not Airbnb standard!
That’s a good idea - Departure Day. Might do that!
I quite like the idea of doing something extra for the home owner, especially around cleaning. I’d draw the line at re-arranging the clothes cupboard, which one of our sitters did! I thought that was a step too far…
Oh my @nikki that is too far. Since my babysitting days as a teenager, I’ve always respected the homeowners privacy. If it’s behind a closed door, cupboard, closet or even a different level of the home, I’m truly not interested in what’s beyond the threshold. Unless I’m searching for a specific cooking utensil or a spare roll of toilet paper, nothing gets opened. Why would anyone take it upon themselves to rearrange someone’s clothes closet??? When sharing a meal with a homeowner, they mentioned a sitter has rearranged their furniture and knickknacks because it brought better energy into the house 
I thought they were joking!!! We are guests and should all act accordingly. Even in my adult children’s homes, I wouldn’t take it upon myself to move ANYTHING! Our only concern is returning items to their correct location. I’m always pleased when the homeowner has a detailed explanation of the location in the Member Guide (or shows us when we arrive) of where things are kept. As always, everyone approaches their responsibilities from a different perspective. It’s always a pleasure to be on the same page as the homeowner.
My husband has just tidied and organised the gardening storage (but he is on gardening duties) & the spice/can/Tupperware cupboard as it looked like someone has thrown everything in there from 10 feet away. Our HO is over the moon! (She has been through a lot in the last 12 months and is on her own so the “man” duties are helping she says) 
I would be delighted to sit in your spotless home. We only choose to go on sits where we feel the standard is the same as we would live in ourselves. And we leave the house just as spotless when we leave it. In fact, usually more so. Don’t drop your standards. As a house sitter who appreciates it x
I can relate to your statement 100% I would want my house sitters to enjoy themselves and move into a clean and tidy space. My friends dont understand why I start planning months in advance. I was told recently: “all I do is give the keys” haha nope! 
Pleasure.
Now to apply for your house sit in the future 
Ha! So true
I’ve been planning for months for our first house sitter. We have redecorated some of the house and bought new linen for the sitter and the place will be spotless. It gave me a good reason and a focus to clear out excessive belongings and have those little jobs done that we all have. I want the sitter to be very comfortable and to feel safe, with clear expectations and I think that’s easier when the house has been well organised, also, my nature and personality is to look after people well, it makes me happier to know I’ve done my best and I appreciate that ‘best’ looks different for each of us. I like a sitter profile that boasts how clean they leave the house. I feel that I know they have pride in their surroundings and that’s on my page, as far as it goes. Different strokes, some people will appreciate our effort and others will prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.
Hi @LinB - wow it sounds like you have gone ‘above and beyond’ and I hope your efforts will be appreciated by your sitters.
On a personal note I wouldn’t expect you to go to all that extra expense. As long as I have an accurate description and what is expected of me and a selection of well lit photos it enables me to make an informed decision on whether to apply. Hopefully the photos would include the pet(s), exterior of home, kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom).
Hope all goes well
Hi @LinB thank you, any sitter will appreciate all that you are doing to make them comfortable and when it’s in our nature to give, that’s just what we do.
As sitters we choose a pet and housesitting lifestyle for many reasons, we are all different. For me it’s the pets first, then the people and then the places.
One of the privileges we have is the opportunity to step into someone else’s life, I would not want a pet parent/owner to go to any unnecessary expense on my account, it is first and foremost your home, although making an extra effort will always be recognised and hugely appreciated.
As long as homes are clean, tidy and welcoming that is all we expect, we are not walking into a 6 star hotel or an Airbnb, we are being invited to enjoy someone’s precious pets and their personal space … home.
Your home is in a great location and is absolutely lovely. I have looked at your listing and it really will be a wonderful stay for your sitters.
Enjoy you time away.
Couldn’t agree more with your approach as that is what we did for our Housesitters. The result was they felt our house was a 5 star sit and I’m so happy they loved it. I also made sure that the Housesitters reviews boasted about how clean they left their homes. We came back to a clean home and even flowers on the counter and a lovely thank you note from the Housesitters.
Ooh, sounds cute, what’s a dust bunny 
?
Toilets and sinks 
Absolutely spotless please, with all the right cleaning products to maintain them.
Kitchens and bathrooms generally; must be clean but no need for sparkle.
Dust, I can live with that.
Once, in a house I didn’t see as particularly problematic, I stripped the bed at the end of the sit and found the mattress was stained and revolting and the pillows horrified me; I couldn’t believe I had slept there….
@Saltrams It’s just the accumulation of dust and other fine stuff that can often be found under couches and in corners that aren’t cleaned regularly. Most people who have hard-surface floors will find them when they move furniture or large appliances. 
I wish I wasn’t on the house sit I am on now and yours instead lol
I just saw a sit listed where their preference is to have sitters who will clean on arrival as well as departure as it saves them time 