The Ultimate Airbnb Cleaning Checklist: Keep Your Space Guest-Ready

Maintaining a spotless Airbnb is essential for delivering a five-star guest experience. Whether it’s a fast turnover between bookings or a deep seasonal clean, keeping your space clean, welcoming, and well-maintained is key to guest satisfaction—and those all-important positive reviews!

This Airbnb cleaning checklist will guide you through everything you need to do to get your property ready for each guest, covering daily turnover cleaning, seasonal deep cleaning, and even maintenance checks. Plus, we’ve included tips on how to speed up your turnover time and keep things organized, along with a printable checklist PDF.

Download the Airbnb Cleaning Checklist PDF Here

Why You Need an Vacation Rental Cleaning Checklist

1. Improve Guest Experience

A clean space leads to better reviews and repeat bookings. Using a detailed checklist ensures that no area is overlooked and your space is ready for each guest to enjoy. Cleanliness is consistently one of the top factors in Airbnb guest ratings, making it crucial for success.

2. Stay Organized

Keeping track of daily cleaning tasks, weekly maintenance, and seasonal deep cleans is easy when you have everything written down in one place. This also helps cleaners stay consistent, especially if you rely on backup cleaning staff or have multiple properties.

3. Meet Airbnb’s Cleaning Standards

Airbnb has specific cleanliness standards hosts must follow to ensure safety and comfort for guests. A checklist makes it easy to meet these standards, whether you’re tackling a quick turnover or a deep seasonal clean.

Airbnb Cleaning Checklist: Room-by-Room Tasks

1. Entryway & Common Areas

Sweep and mop floors: High-traffic areas like the entryway and living room should be spotless.
Wipe down surfaces: Clean tables, shelves, and other surfaces, ensuring they’re dust-free.
Dust decorations and electronics: TV stands, picture frames, and light fixtures can easily collect dust.
Vacuum rugs and carpets: Ensure floors are free from crumbs, pet hair, and dirt.
Sanitize high-touch areas: Disinfect door handles, light switches, and remotes.

2. Living Room

Vacuum sofas and cushions: Remove crumbs and dust from upholstery.
Fluff pillows and straighten furniture: Make the room inviting and well-arranged.
Clean coffee tables and shelves: Ensure surfaces are wiped down.
Check for lost items: Inspect under furniture for guest belongings.
Test electronics: Make sure remotes and entertainment systems are functional.

3. Kitchen

Clean countertops and appliances: Wipe down all kitchen surfaces, including the stove, refrigerator, and microwave.
Empty trash: Take out the trash and replace liners.
Wash dishes and utensils: Clean and put away dishes, ensuring everything is spotless for the next guest.
Sanitize high-touch areas: Disinfect cabinet handles, faucets, and other high-touch areas.
Check pantry and fridge: Discard expired food and ensure the kitchen is properly stocked.

4. Bedrooms

Change bed linens: Replace sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers for each new guest.
Dust furniture: Wipe down surfaces like dressers, nightstands, and windowsills.
Vacuum floors: Clean carpets and rugs, ensuring the bedroom feels fresh.
Sanitize high-touch areas: Disinfect light switches, doorknobs, and remotes.
Organize closet: Ensure hangers are available and remove any clutter.

5. Bathrooms

Clean and disinfect toilet: Scrub the bowl, seat, and handle.
Wipe mirrors and countertops: Ensure mirrors are streak-free and counters are wiped clean.
Clean shower and tub: Remove soap scum and disinfect tiles.
Replace towels and restock toiletries: Provide clean towels and replenish soap, shampoo, and toilet paper.
Mop the floor: Ensure the bathroom floor is clean and dry.

6. Outdoor Areas

Sweep patios and balconies: Remove dirt and debris from outdoor spaces.
Wipe down outdoor furniture: Ensure tables and chairs are clean and well-organized.
Water plants (if applicable): Ensure plants are fresh and healthy for an inviting outdoor space.
Check for outdoor trash: Empty any outdoor bins or ashtrays.

Seasonal Deep Cleaning Tasks

At least once a quarter, it’s important to deep clean your Airbnb to maintain high standards. Here are some tasks to focus on:

Clean behind and under furniture: Move couches, beds, and tables to clean hidden areas.
Shampoo carpets and rugs: Remove any stains or odors that may have accumulated over time.
Wipe walls and baseboards: Dust and grime can build up over time, so make sure these areas are cleaned periodically.
Deep clean appliances: Defrost and clean the freezer, wipe down the oven, and sanitize the microwave.
Inspect and clean outdoor spaces: Pay extra attention to outdoor areas, especially after winter, to ensure they’re ready for guests.

Maintenance and Safety Checks

Regular maintenance checks are crucial for a safe and well-functioning property. Include these tasks:

Test smoke detectors: Ensure they’re working properly and replace batteries as needed.
Inspect HVAC filters: Replace filters regularly to maintain air quality.
Check for plumbing issues: Inspect sinks, showers, and toilets for leaks or drainage issues.
Test electronics: Ensure TVs, lights, and other electronics are in working order.

Photo Checklist Option

Using a photo checklist can help ensure that each area is cleaned and staged consistently, even if you have different cleaners. Take photos of how rooms should look when fully cleaned and provide these images to your cleaning team.

Hiring a Team of Professional Cleaners

While using a thorough cleaning checklist is essential for keeping your Airbnb guest-ready, sometimes handling all the tasks on your own can be time-consuming and overwhelming—especially during busy seasons or after longer stays. That’s where hiring a team of professional cleaners can make all the difference.

Professional Airbnb cleaning services offer several advantages:

Expertise and Efficiency: Experienced cleaners know how to deep clean each area quickly and effectively, ensuring every room is spotless.
Consistent Turnovers: For back-to-back bookings, a professional team ensures your property is cleaned, staged, and ready for the next guest without delays.
Attention to Detail: Professional cleaners focus on often-overlooked areas, such as grout lines, behind appliances, and high-touch surfaces.
Maintenance Support: Many services offer additional maintenance checks, like inspecting smoke detectors, HVAC systems, and plumbing issues, to keep your property in top condition.

By hiring a professional cleaning service, you can focus on growing your Airbnb business and enhancing guest satisfaction while leaving the cleaning in capable hands. For busy hosts, this can be the perfect way to ensure your Airbnb consistently meets cleanliness standards and secures those 5-star reviews.

Interested in hiring professional cleaners for your Airbnb? Contact us to schedule a cleaning and keep your property in tip-top shape without the hassle.

Download the Airbnb Cleaning Checklist PDF

Keep your Airbnb cleaning process organized and efficient with this printable checklist. Whether it’s a quick turnover or a deep seasonal clean, our Cleaning Checklist PDF makes sure your property is guest-ready every time.

FAQs: Short Term Rental Cleaning Checklist

How often should I clean my Airbnb?

You should clean your Airbnb thoroughly after each guest leaves. For longer stays, it’s a good idea to offer mid-stay cleanings to ensure everything stays fresh.

What’s included in an Airbnb cleaning checklist?

The checklist covers everything from cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens to wiping down high-touch surfaces like door handles and light switches.

How can I ensure my Airbnb meets cleanliness standards?

Follow this checklist closely and do a final walkthrough before each guest arrives. Consider hiring a professional cleaner for seasonal deep cleans.

Should I provide cleaning supplies for guests?

Yes! Stock the property with basic cleaning supplies such as dish soap, trash bags, and paper towels, so guests can tidy up during their stay if needed.

Conclusion

Keeping your Airbnb clean and well-maintained is essential for creating a positive guest experience and securing those all-important 5-star reviews. By following this Short-term rental cleaning checklist, you’ll ensure your property is always guest-ready, from quick turnovers between bookings to deep seasonal cleans. Regular cleaning not only enhances guest satisfaction but also helps protect your property and keep everything in top shape.

Remember, a well-organized cleaning routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re a host or using professional cleaners, this checklist makes the process efficient and thorough, covering all areas of your property.

If you’re ready to streamline your cleaning process, download our Printable Vacation Rental Cleaning Checklist PDF and take the hassle out of maintaining your space. A clean Airbnb means happy guests and glowing reviews!