101 Tips for B&B Brilliance!

  1. Set up a Green policy and promote this to guests on site as well as on your website
  2. Attend at Green Training Event or join a Green Business Network
  3. Monitoring: Energy- read your gas and electricity meters monthly and analyse figures. “You can’t manage what you don’t measure”
  4. Towel and linen policy- wash towels only if indicated by guests that they want new ones
  5. Green information for customers- let them know what you are doing to be green and what they could do to help
  6. Use of low energy lighting indoors and outdoors
  7. High Efficiency Boiler- have your boiler maintained regularly and consider switching to an A rated boiler
  8. Increase your Roof Insulation- current recommendations are for around 10” or more
  9. Low flush toilets- ideally install dual flush or put a sava- flush in the cistern
  10. Use Phosphate-free and Chlorine-free soaps and detergent
  11. Have Water Butts in the garden
  12. Use Recycled Paper products in housekeeping
  13. Use and promote local meat and vegetables
  14. Use Fair Trade Food & Drink- like tea/coffee/sugar/hot chocolate for breakfast and in the rooms
  15. Switch to a Green Energy Tariff or even consider having your own renewable energy on site
  16. Reduce and Recycle as much waste as possible (Glass, Paper, Card, Metal), encourage guests to help out
  17. Provide Information on Public Transport on how to get there and how to get around when on site, have ideas for ‘Car- free’ days out
  18. Provide information on Walking and Cycling in the area
  19. Provide information about nature-related attractions in the area
  20. Create Wildlife Habitats in your garden- through ponds, wildflower areas, nesting boxes
  21. And of course…. Join the Green Tourism Business Scheme! www.green-business.co.uk
  22. To remove coffee and tea stains soak fabric in full strength white vinegar
  23. To dissolve chewing gum soak the area with vinegar
  24. To clean windows add vinegar to warm water and use dry newspaper to polish
  25. To remove tea stains from china cups and mugs mix equal parts salt and  vinegar and rub over surface, then rinse well
  26. To disinfect and clean chopping boards rub with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. (boards may be left to soak for several minutes if surface is deeply grooved)
  27. To prevent mildew forming rub affected areas  i.e. shower cubicles, with a cloth dampened with a mixture of vinegar and water
  28. Alternatively ensure that bathrooms are well ventilated and shower cubicles are aired
  29. To remove stains from carpets soak area as soon as possible with soda water and blot area till stain removed
  30. To remove marks on wallpaper rub lightly with  a piece of rolled white bread
  31. Bicarbonate of soda is a good all round cleaner
  32. White vinegar is a disinfectant and removes lime scale
  33. Lemons – bleach
  34.  Olive oil polishes furniture and cleans stainless steel
  35.  Extractor fans need to be cleaned regularly to maximise efficiency
  36.  If an item of fabric states dry clean only, contact “ The Dry cleaning Information Bureau” on 020 8863 8658 for details of a reputable dry cleaner in your area
  37. Don’t put salt on a stain as salt sets
  38.  To clean a scaled up shower head steep it in a solution of half white vinegar and half water and leave for a couple of hours. Rinse thoroughly
  39. To clean tea stained china fill with warm water, stir in 2tea spoon full of Bicarbonate of soda and leave overnight to steep, rinse well the following morning
  40. Newspapers rolled into a pad will remove all smears from windows and shine the surface
  41. To clean frosted glass use warm water and vinegar polish with newspaper
  42. To remove a ball point pen stain from a carpet rub carefully with methylated spirit and then sponge with warm water several times before blotting dry
  43. To remove a dried on coffee stain from a carpet mix 1 part glycerin to 1 part warm water and gently sponge area
  44. To remove small grease stains form a carpet – pour baking soda over spots, brush lightly through carpet pile. Leave overnight and vacuum
  45. To remove jam/ jelly stains rub a small amount of vinegar onto the stain and wash as normal
  46. To clean copper pans sprinkle the surface with coarse salt, rub the salt into the stains with the cut half of a lemon and rinse well
  47.  Vinegar is a disinfectant, and you can use either white or cider to clean
  48. To freshen shower curtains wash in your washing machine with approx. 1 cup each of vinegar and bleach add your normal soap powder, fabric softener and run cycle.  Allow shower curtains to drip dry- the wrinkles will fall out over a 24hr period
  49. To remove mildew from shower curtains soak the curtain in water containing 20% chlorine bleach, the rinse
  50. To remove a scuff mark on vinyl use a rubber soled shoe and wipe across mark
  51. Another method of obtaining sparkling windows is as follows – Add 1 Tbs. of corn starch to approx a third of a gallon of warm water, and using a dampened cloth clean glass.  Use newspaper to polish
  52. To rejuvenate a stainless steel sink after cleaning, wipe with a cloth impregnated with either pledge or lemon oil and coat area.  The oil will disappear leaving a very shiny surface
  53. To remove crayon marks use WD-40, and hot soapy water to wash off any greasy residue
  54. Another method of dealing with  crayon marks is as follows, - Heat area with a hair dryer and then wipe off
  55. If neither of the above works try using a rag impregnated with white spirit, this works best on vinyl or gloss.  Try another method on emulsion walls
  56. To remove blood from fabric use hydrogen peroxide ( which diluted this also makes a good mouth wash )Apply it directly to the stain and then wash in normal cycle
  57. Alternatively to remove blood stains soak the affected area in a salt solution overnight then machine wash
  58. Check out carbolicsoap.com, and under the laundry section you will find some amazing old fashioned cleaning products
  59. To ensure wool blankets remain soft and fluffy add 1 pint of white vinegar to the rinse water
  60. To prolong the life of cut flowers add 2 Tbs. of vinegar and 1Tbs. of sugar to the water
  61.  If a wool carpet has become dented with heavy furniture put an ice cube in each dent and when dissolved and dry vacuum thoroughly. The pile should spring up
  62. To remove chewing gum from a carpet place an ice cube over the gum to harden it the when brittle pick off. If any gum remains sponge area carefully with white spirit and rinse well with cool water and blot dry
  63. If you are in any doubt about using a product on your carpet contact the retailer for advice
  64. Furniture has a better shine if rubbed over with vinegar prior to polishing
  65. Cold tea when used to clean varnished woodwork and buffed with a soft duster enhances wood colour
  66. To separate 2 glasses stuck together, pour cold water into the top glass and stand the bottom glass in hot water
  67. To separate 2 glasses stuck together, pour cold water into the top glass and stand the bottom glass in hot water
  68. Wet cotton wool will pick up all fragments of broken glass or china
  69. Keep all spare bedding wrapped or stored in a sealed contained, this keeps dust out
  70. To protect your mattresses and pillows use protectors
  71. Before using a new frying pan, brush with a small amount of vegetable oil then add 2 Tbsp. of salt and heat gently. Rub the salt around the pan and wipe off. The pan is now seasoned and food should not stick
  72. To clear a blocked sink use half a cup of baking soda pushed down the plug hole followed by a cup of vinegar. Leave for about one hour the pour down lots of boiling water
  73. To disguise scratches on wooden surfaces rub the area with a walnut kernel and polish
  74. Visit energysavingtrust.org.uk to see if you qualify for any grants for home improvements such as cavity wall insulation or solar panels
  75. The easiest way to clean candle wax from a candle stand – especially a glass one is to place in the deep freeze for an hour or so.  The wax will chip off easily
  76. Squeaky floorboards can be eased by using French chalk or talcum powder
  77. When putting curtains onto a metal pole, slip a freezer bah over the metal end to ensure curtains don’t snag
  78. If a drawer is beginning to stick rub the runner with a candle, this will ensure that drawers run freely
  79. Light scratches on furniture can be disguised by applying either a wax crayon or rubbing with a Brazil nut
  80. When washing towels use fabric softener sparingly as this can coat the fabric of the towels and make them unpleasant to use
  81. Candle wax – to remove wax cover with a brown paper bag and iron over the stain, the wax should transfer to the paper
  82. Don’t put Daffodils in a vase with other flowers as the daffodils produce a toxin which kills off other flowers
  83.  If using lilies in your floral displays cut out the stamen to avoid the powder staining clothes
  84. To clean stainless steel appliances use baby oil to remove fingerprints and marks
  85. The best way to store cheese is to wrap it in greaseproof paper and keep it in an airtight container in the vegetable box in the fridge
  86. To whiten grout mix a wee bit bicarbonate of soda with a little distilled malt vinegar (white) to a smooth paste. Press into the grouting and leave for approx. One hour then scrub the paste out with a small toothbrush.
  87. To clean a microwave put a dish with half a lemon and a little water inside and cook on hi for approx. 10 sacs. This will soften any grease which can now be wiped off.
  88. To remove Lily pollen from material either gently pat area with sticky tape or vacuum up.
  89. For easy care showers, bleach the tiles and grouting then apply a coat of clear car polish. Leave to dry.
  90. If you decide to apply for a grading from either visit Scotland or the AA, read the requirement booklet carefully and comply with the information given.
  91. Once up and running ensure that your reservation procedures are professional and efficient.
  92.  Confirm reservations and ensure that you have a clear cancellation policy and any guests are aware of it.
  93. Before starting up your B&B get as much advise as possible. Check –
    • legal requirements
    • fire regulations
    • speak to the council
    • ask your preferred grading agency for a copy of their requirements
  94. Stay overnight in other establishments of the grade or standard you aspire to
  95. Always ascertain if your guest have any food preferences at the time of booking.
  96. All guests must be registered on arrival.  Registration cards can be bought by mail order.
  97. Offering guests a cup of tea on arrival makes a big impression for very little effort. If your bedrooms are on the ground floor there should be either net curtains or blinds to ensure guests privacy.
  98. It is helpful if selections of menus from local eateries are available for guests’ perusal.
  99. When guests are arriving after dark, closing the curtains and switching on the bedside lights makes the bedroom more inviting
  100. Nothing beats a “freshly cooked to order” breakfast.
  101. Bills and receipts prepared in advance streamline a guest’s departure.