systemizing ordering and distributing supplies for STR

[Leon Lee]

Hi, fellow STR investors

I have a question on systemizing the ordering, distributing and monitoring cleaning and kitchen supplies for STR operation and would love to hear your inputs:

As my portfolio increases, I start to have issues on providing and restocking supplies for cleaners. Several of my properties have about 45 minutes to drive and I don't live close to any of them. So I wonder: 

1. What is the best way to order the supplies (i.e., Airwick, toilet bowl cleaner, k-cups and toilet paper)? I am thinking to create a Google form. Every time when we need something, cleaners need to order them via the form, so that I could make the order and keep track of the consumption of these items per property. 

2. What is the best way to distribute them to different houses? I have a primary cleaner who cleans the majority of the house. One way is to ship these items to her house and let her to distribute to different properties. But I always have the gut feeling that this is not the best way to go. 

3. What is the best way to monitor the consumption of these supplies ? Let's be honest: most of these stuff are needed in every household and I am pretty sure that some of my cleaners occasionally used some items purchased for the properties (I used to have a 3be/2ba house to consume 12 rolls of paper towels within 5 days). I wonder how more experienced STR operators keep track of these supplies?

Any experience and feedbacks will be appreciated!

Lee