The ultimate Airbnb cleaning checklist

Creating an effective cleaning checklist is an essential component to any successful Airbnb business. Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, a comprehensive and organised cleaning checklist ensures consistency, efficiency, and guest satisfaction. A well-structured checklist not only streamlines the cleaning process but also guarantees that no detail is overlooked.

• What is an Airbnb cleaning checklist?
• Airbnb cleaning checklist
• 4 tips on improving your Airbnb cleaning checklist
• 3 things that should be on every Airbnb cleaning checklist
• Download your FREE Airbnb cleaning checklist

• Essential Cleaning Supplies for Your Airbnb Turnover

• The most efficient cleaning workflow

• Damage inspection and reporting

• How you'll benefit from an Airbnb cleaning checklist

What is an Airbnb cleaning checklist?

An Airbnb cleaning checklist serves as a roadmap, guiding cleaners through the essential tasks required to prepare a property for new guests. It’s more than just a list; it’s a tool that helps maintain cleanliness standards, enhance guest experiences, and contribute to positive reviews and ratings.

Airbnb cleaning checklist

room names. Here's the restructured version with proper H3s and expanded bullet points:

Pre-cleaning preparation

• Open all windows to ventilate the property and let in fresh air.
• Gather your full set of cleaning supplies and equipment before starting: all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, glass cleaner, mop, vacuum, microfiber cloths, trash bags, and restocking items.

General cleaning

• Dust all surfaces thoroughly, including shelves, tables, lamps, decor, light fixtures, ceiling fans, blinds, and window ledges.
• Sweep and vacuum all floors, paying attention to areas under furniture and along baseboards. Mop all hard floors and vacuum carpets and rugs.
• Clean all windows and mirrors using glass cleaner for a streak-free finish.
• Disinfect every high-touch surface: doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, cabinet handles, and thermostats.

Kitchen

• Wipe down the exterior of all appliances including the stove, microwave, fridge, and dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on an empty clean cycle if needed. Set the oven to self-clean mode if available.
• Sanitise all countertops and remove any stains or dried spills.
• Clean and disinfect the sink basin and drain. Check the disposal for odours.
• Wash, dry, and put away all dishes, utensils, and cookware.
• Restock dish soap, paper towels, dishwasher detergent, a fresh sponge, and trash bags.
• Empty all bins and replace with clean bags.
• Wipe down the inside of the fridge, remove any expired or leftover food, and confirm the temperature setting.
• Clean the inside of the microwave including the turntable.
• Check the inside of the oven and ensure it is free of grease and spills.

Bathrooms

• Scrub and sanitise the sink, toilet (including base, lid, and behind the seat), shower or tub, and all taps. Polish any chrome fixtures.
• Clean mirrors with a streak-free cleaner.
• Check all drains for hair or blockages and clear them.
• Clean tile surfaces and scrub grout lines where needed.
• Replace all used towels and bath mats with fresh, laundered ones.
• Restock toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and any other toiletries your property provides.

Bedrooms

• Strip all used linens and replace with freshly laundered sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers. Check pillows, comforters, and blankets for stains and rotate or launder as needed.
• Dust all surfaces including nightstands, dressers, headboards, and window sills.
• Vacuum or clean under the bed to remove dust and debris.
• Tidy the closet: remove any wire hangers left behind, dust shelves, and ensure there are enough hangers for the next guest.
• Disinfect remote controls, light switches, and any alarm clocks or charging stations.

Living areas

• Dust and polish all furniture and arrange per reference photos.
• Vacuum sofas, chairs, and under furniture. Check between and under cushions for debris, coins, or forgotten items.
• Dust the TV screen with a dry microfiber cloth and sanitise all remote controls.

Additional areas (if applicable)

• Dining room: dust the table, chairs, and any decor. Sweep or vacuum the floor.
• Laundry room: wipe down the washer and dryer exteriors. Clean the lint trap. Restock laundry detergent if provided.
• Outdoor areas: sweep patios and decks, wipe down outdoor furniture, clean the BBQ grill, and clear any debris or leaves.
• Entryway: sweep the front walkway and wipe down the door handle.

Final inspection

• Do a full walkthrough of every room to confirm all tasks are complete.
• Sense check: does the property look, feel, and smell guest-ready? Would you want to check in right now?

4 tips to improve your Airbnb cleaning checklist

1. Customise your Airbnb cleaning checklist

Don’t forget the point earlier in this article that every vacation rental property has its quirks and unique features that demand specialised attention. Remember the example of sand and salt in a beach home versus mud and rain in a hiking home!

Tailor your checklist to accommodate any specific needs that serve both the guest AND your ability to lessen the clean up job on turnover day. For instance, if it’s the beach home, how do you help the guest leave their sand outside? If it’s the hiking home, how do you make it easy for the guest to transition from muddy mess to ‘shower-ready’? 

2. Document your Airbnb cleaning checklist

Creating and maintaining a documented checklist will help to keep you and your cleaners on the same page. Clear documentation ensures there is no misunderstanding. 

Using a service like Touch Stay to create a cleaning guidebook will allow you to document everything. It'll also allow you to add videos and photos that can be helpful for those who might not always like to read.

Need the sofas and cushions staged a specific way? Use a photo to show them.

Need the hot tub to be set before the guests arrive? Use a video to show the cleaners how.

The Touch Stay cleaning guide has a template that will ensure you don't need to create it from scratch, but it will also allow you to tailor for your own specific needs. You can then share it with your cleaners as a simple web link.

Want to see how easy it is? 

3. Communicate with your cleaners

A checklist is great, but we all know that poor communication ruins so much in life. If your cleaner isn’t aligned with your list AND your style, the relationship will deteriorate and end quickly! Here’s what we suggest for effective communication with your cleaners:

• Walk them through the home with the list

Give them context by explaining the list as you walk through the rooms. If you are a remote host, record a short video explaining things. And next time you visit your rental, why not film a walkthrough. Hey, you could even add the video to your Touch Stay cleaning guide so that it’s easily accessible for your cleaner. 

• Fill in the unsaid stuff that’s important to you

This is so important, in life as in cleaning, don’t assume people will understand your unique style. Do you prefer the green cushion to be behind the grey one? If it’s important, say it. In fact, if it’s that important, then add it to your list and include a photo of it too! 

You might also have a home with delicate décor or requiring special care for certain surfaces. Standard cleaning products that your cleaners use may not be appropriate, so make sure these instructions are clearly outlined in your checklist.

• Consider bonusing the clean

It’s not directly related to communication, but it is directly related to incentivising good listening. The latter is part of the cleaner’s obligations in your relationship. If you feel that incentivising them to listen and remember important details is necessary, then why not provide a bonus payment if those important details are delivered. Perhaps even provide a bonus payment linked to every 5-star first impression rating left by the guest (remember you can add the First Impressions widget to your Touch Stay guest guide).

4. Streamline the process

To optimise efficiency, consider the following tips:

• Colour-code or categorise tasks: use different colours or categories to organise tasks, making it easier to follow and execute.
• Provide time estimates for each task: helps in planning and managing the cleaning process efficiently.
• Include photographic references: add images for clarity on how certain areas should look after cleaning.
• Consistency is key: ensure that the checklist is consistently followed by all cleaning staff to maintain uniform standards.
  
  Host Tip: While maintaining a clean property is essential as a host, it is also important to let guests know about your cleaning standards and check-out expectations in your Airbnb welcome book.

3 things that should be on EVERY Airbnb cleaning checklist

You know how sometimes you walk into a home and it smells like it’s been cleaned? The whiff of detergent might be comforting to some, but it’s not particularly pleasant. Nor is seeing the floor slightly wet, suggesting the cleaners were scrambling 2 minutes before you walked in! First impressions are HUGE and, whilst those examples will mean the home is clean, it doesn’t feel much like the start of a vacation.

Here are our 3 most important things besides having a clean property:

1. Tidy property

This sounds like a clean property, right? Yes, but being clean versus being tidy are very different things when it comes to first impressions. Is everything where it should be? Are all the cupboards closed? Are the lamps plugged in? Does it look like a home that feels relaxed and at ease, or one that just got hastily cleaned? We know from our own work here at Touch Stay that first impressions are critical. So much so that, as part of our guidebook, you can add a First Impressions widget for your guests to complete shortly after arrival, giving you a chance to fix any problem before it becomes one. 

2. Well made beds

Possibly THE most important part of any stay is getting a good night's sleep. Sleep is a very psychological affair, beginning with the ambience of the room. And part of that ambience is a well made bed. I recently stayed in a Disney resort hotel and found that the sheets weren’t properly tucked in because one side was tucked in more than the other. I knew at 2am the sheets would get all ruffled so I had to remake the bed. Ambience destroyed.

3. Fresh scent when you walk in

No, I don’t mean the fresh scent of bleach 😉 I get it, I know how tough it is to ensure the cleaning schedule finishes well before the guest arrives, but there are ways to ensure the sanitised odour isn’t the first thing to grab my senses.

For example, our very own Tyann Marcink, a vacation rental host and manager in Branson, Missouri, has this to say about appealing to the senses:

For our Branson brand, our cleaners have a seasonal spritz they like to put in the houses on arrival day. Pumpkin spice for fall, Christmas cinnamon for the holidays, fresh linen other times of the year. A simple touch that makes our guests feel welcomed the moment they step into the home!

- Tyann Marcink, Branson Family Retreats

Because presentation, attention to details, and first impressions are so important, we felt it was worth highlighting before diving into the ‘nuts and bolts’ of a well thought out cleaning checklist. 

Looking for ways to stand out as a short term rental property? After a thorough clean, top it off with a welcome basket to make the arrival experience truly special.

Essential Cleaning Supplies for Your Airbnb Turnover

Before starting any turnover clean, make sure you or your cleaning team have everything on hand. Running out of supplies mid-clean wastes time and risks a sloppy finish.

Cleaning products: All-purpose cleaner, disinfectant spray or wipes, glass and mirror cleaner, bathroom tile and grout cleaner, stainless steel cleaner (if applicable), toilet bowl cleaner, and a descaling agent for taps and showerheads.

Tools and equipment: Vacuum cleaner (with attachments for upholstery and corners), mop and bucket, broom and dustpan, microfiber cloths (keep separate sets for kitchen, bathroom, and general surfaces), scrub brushes, a squeegee for glass shower doors, rubber gloves, and a caddy or bucket to carry everything room to room.

Restocking items: Fresh bed linens and towels, toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, sponges, trash bags, shampoo, conditioner, and any toiletries your property provides. Keep a dedicated storage area at the property with backup supplies so your cleaners never run short.

The most efficient cleaning workflow

Having a checklist is one thing. Knowing the smartest order to tackle it is what separates a 3-hour turnover from a 90-minute one.

Start with laundry. The moment you walk in, strip all beds and collect used towels. Get the first load running immediately. Laundry is your bottleneck, so starting it first means everything else runs in parallel.

Work top to bottom, back to front. In every room, start with the highest surfaces (ceiling fans, shelves, light fixtures) and work down. Dust and debris fall, so cleaning the floors last means you only do it once. Move from the back of the property toward the front door so you are not tracking through rooms you have already cleaned.

Tackle wet rooms early. Spray bathroom surfaces with cleaner and let them soak while you work on bedrooms and living areas. When you come back, the product has done half the work and everything wipes down faster.

Kitchens come next. Work through appliances, countertops, and sink, then restock. If the oven or dishwasher needs a cycle, start it before moving on.

Bedrooms and living areas. Make beds with fresh linens, dust, vacuum, and arrange furniture per your reference photos.

Final pass. Floors throughout the property (vacuum then mop), a walkthrough check of every room, restock any remaining items, and set the thermostat and lighting for arrival.

Damage inspection and reporting

Place this after the Final Inspection subsection or as a standalone H2 near the end before the tips section.

Damage inspection and reporting

Every turnover clean is also your first line of defence against unreported damage. Train your cleaners to look beyond dirt.

What to check: Walls and paint for scuffs, holes, or marks. Furniture for scratches, stains, or broken parts. Appliances for new dents or malfunctions. Fixtures like towel rails, curtain rods, and door handles that may have been loosened or pulled off. Linens and mattresses for burns, tears, or stains that will not wash out.

How to report it: Have your cleaners photograph any damage immediately with a timestamp. Use a shared album, a group chat, or a simple form so nothing gets lost. Note the specific location and a brief description (e.g., "6-inch scratch on dining table surface, north side").

Why it matters: Timely documentation protects your ability to file a claim through Airbnb's AirCover or your own insurance. If you wait until the next guest checks in, it becomes much harder to attribute the damage to the right reservation. Making this a standard part of every turnover ensures nothing slips through.

How you’ll benefit from an Airbnb cleaning checklist

A meticulously crafted cleaning checklist is an invaluable asset for any Airbnb host. It not only ensures a sparkling clean space but also contributes significantly to guest satisfaction, positive reviews, and repeat bookings. In fact, cleanliness is the most-cited factor in reviews. Prepare your responses with these guest review templates.
By tailoring the Airbnb cleaning checklist to your property's specific needs and optimising the cleaning process, you can guarantee a welcoming and pristine environment for your guests, setting the stage for memorable experiences. By communicating your expectations clearly to your cleaner you’ll also make their job easier and hopefully more satisfying.

Empower your cleaning team to get the best job done with a Touch Stay cleaning guide. Start your 14-day free trial today