Why you shouldn't stress about getting the coronavirus from a stay in an Airbnb

• Experts say the risk of catching COVID-19 during an Airbnb stay is low if the space properly cleaned.
• Viral particles can survive for a time on high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, remote controls, and cloth fabric, but the coronavirus does not spread easily from surfaces.
• Some Airbnb rentals may be safer than a hotel, since guests don't share areas like lobbies or concierge counters.
• Airbnb has banned parties at all Airbnb listings worldwide.

As Labor Day approaches, many people are likely looking to get away, perhaps by renting a spot on Airbnb.

The idea of staying in a home recently visited by other guests can be scary, but experts say the risk of catching COVID-19 during an Airbnb stay is low, as long as the property is properly cleaned.

That's because the coronavirus doesn't typically spread via surfaces.

"Right now the data are indicating that direct person-to-person spread via droplets is the main transmission route, followed by aerosols. Spread via surfaces, although still possible, seems to be less of a major driver of spread," Caitlin Howell, a chemical and biomedical engineer at the University of Maine, told Business Insider.

"If the AirBnB is properly cleaned and disinfected — and perhaps more importantly, properly aired out — then the data are suggesting that the risk is likely to be low," she added.

Virus particles on surfaces are unlikely to cause infections

A person can theoretically get the coronavirus if they touch a surface or object that has viral particles on it then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes. The lifespan of the virus on objects depends on the type of material: One study found that it took three days for the virus to leave plastic and stainless steel, while other research suggests viral particles can live up to two days on cloth fabric and four days on glass.

But according to Howell, the viral RNA on those surfaces probably "can't infect people — you need to have active virus present for that to happen."

Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the virus "does not spread easily" from contaminated surfaces, though it recommends that people "routinely clean and disinfect" high-touch surfaces just in case.

Rachel Graham, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, told Business Insider that it's unlikely enough of the virus would remain in a hotel room or Airbnb after it's been cleaned to sicken the next guest. That's true "even if someone previously stayed there while sick," she said.

In June, Airbnb released enhanced cleaning protocols for hosts to follow during the pandemic, which include washing all dishes, cleaning all hard surfaces with soap and water, and laundering all linens at the highest heat setting.

"This virus is pretty efficiently inactivated by disinfectants and soap and water, so as long as it's been properly cleaned, the risk there is likely to be low," Howell said.

Airbnb also recommends that cleaners wear disposable gloves, aprons or gowns, and masks or cloth facial coverings while disinfecting the property. Rooms should also be well ventilated before getting cleaned. As an added precaution, Airbnb recently banned parties at all of its properties worldwide and capped every property's guest capacity at 16 people.

Best practices to minimize your risk during an Airbnb stay

According to Howell, some Airbnbs that are stand-alone homes may be safer than hotels.

"Anything that we do that exposes us to other people is potentially risky," she said, adding, "therefore, aspects of hotel stays that put people close together, such as talking with other patrons or exercising in a small space with others, are more likely to be risky than sleeping in a room."

Rental homes wouldn't have "any sharing of elevators or accidentally ending up in a small crowd at the check-out counter," Howell said.

Graham suggested that to minimize COVID-19 risk, Airbnb guests should wipe down high-touch surfaces like TV remotes and door knobs and check the linens: "The sheets should be spotless, and smell fresh."

"Personally, I would wash the cutlery too," Graham added.

She also recommends potential travelers be choosy about which rental properties they reserve.

"Right now it's all about looking through customer ratings to see what comments other stayers have said about how clean it is," Graham said, adding, "it's not the time to stay in neglected Airbnbs."