Spring is quite something …

… in the coming days we’ll be reporting on the outdoor work around the farm. Some of it is surely familiar, some new to many. So you simply know what work goes into it all. Since the big seasonal clean is starting up again now, I’d like to publish an article that was already online once but is well worth reading. Written by a very energetic intern who keeps in touch and is making her way.

…but cleaning at the Zittrauerhof isn’t quite that simple! Today I would like to tell you about a part of the work here at the farm from the perspective of an intern.

“After your internship, you could start at any 5-star hotel,” Katharina said with a smile right at the beginning. At first, I didn’t really believe her. I thought: anyone can clean a room. Okay, the bathroom might be a thing of its own, but the rest – no problem! I thought wrong!!! I was amazed at how much there is to consider. Every corner, every drawer, and every tiny lamp has to be cleaned. And above all, making the beds is a science in itself. Because a bed is not just a bed. I learned the most varied techniques for creating atmosphere in the rooms. Whether it’s a heart or a roll, I can now work magic with beautiful beds that anyone would love to lie in. And finally, a hay pillow is added so you can drift off to dreamland with the scent of fresh herbs.

And now we are in the middle of the big autumn clean. That means a deep clean. I thought it was hardly possible to clean more than we already do. But I was taught otherwise. In addition to the normal cleaning work, the toppers, mattresses, and pillows are now deep-cleaned, and the bed linen is chased through the washing machine with a hygiene cleaner. Lamps are opened, and every tiny glass from the cupboards is inspected in the daylight and polished. And the bathroom isn’t neglected either! With a special high-pressure cleaner, every single joint is cleaned and shines like new afterwards.

But cleaning the rooms is far from everything. Every day, the entire house and the farmyard are swept so that the first impression already triggers a feeling of well-being.

And setting the breakfast table is also a matter of order and cleanliness. The cutlery must be polished, the napkin neatly folded, and the dishes placed tidily. The most important tool here is a slightly damp polishing cloth. With it, you catch every tiny fingerprint.

But how does Katharina actually know everything about cleaning? No housewife can just have such a huge store of knowledge about cleaning details in her head! But gradually, this phenomenon was explained:

Katharina successfully graduated from hotel management school, and the farm is a member of the “Urlaub am Bauernhof” association. They organize their own seminars on cleaning and preparing rooms and farms. And it’s not just about the cleanliness of the house, but also the stable. This also explains why the entire children’s barn has to be cleaned from floor to ceiling every week. And only those who meet the association’s criteria are allowed to display the flower award at the farm. And I am very proud to be able to work at the highest level – namely four flowers!

Unfortunately, many people have the prejudice that it is dirty and messy on a farm. But these are exactly the stereotypes that need to be broken, because whether it’s a luxury hotel or a farm: it has to be clean to make you feel comfortable!

I may not want to start out in a 5-star hotel once I’ve finished my internship, but I can still say: I’ve been through a tough but good school!