Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

Irrespective of who does the cleaning, to maintain a certain standard of cleanliness, you need to have an Airbnb cleaning checklist to follow during each changeover.

You can get away with everything else but not cleanliness. It is the single most crucial factor which can make or break your Airbnb business.

You cleaning checking should include what needs to be wiped in each room, how the pillows should be set up, and the kitchen utensils and appliances to be cleaned. 

  1. Setup Cleaning Team
  2. Cleaning Plan
  3. Linen Service
  4. Regular Airbnb Cleaning Checks
  5. Keep Cleaning Supplies Topped Up
  6. Additional points to keep in mind
  7. Optional rules to add

1. Setup Cleaning Team

Whether you hire a professional vacation rental cleaning crew or do it yourself, cleanliness is one of the most important criteria that the Airbnb hosts are required to meet sky-high guest expectations Airbnb sets on the platform. 

Note: You can use Bark to find cleaners in your area easily. It also offers a great way to collaborate with cleaners if you use a few of them at the same time.

2. Airbnb Cleaning Checklist - Cleaning Plan

Broadly, cleaning should include these these essential services:

Airbnb cleaning checklist #1
For each turnover:

  • Change linen and make the beds
  • Clean and put away the dishes, toaster, kettle, stove and other utensils
  • Sweep and mop floors
  • Vacuum carpets and rugs
  • Clean toilets, bathtubs, and showers
  • Take out the trash
  • Wipe countertops, door handles, and light switches
  • Check for damages and report low inventory
  • Keep tabs on toiletries and supplies

Along with this, you should schedule periodic Airbnb cleaning at least once every year. It’s best to keep the same cleaning team to do both regular and deep cleaning because they will already be familiar with your property and its unique requirements.

Airbnb Cleaning Checklist #2
Deep cleaning services can include:

  • Wiping baseboards
  • Cleaning under the oven and refrigerator
  • Shampooing carpets
  • Cleaning cabinets
  • Cleaning closet corners
  • Cleaning kitchen appliances
  • Cleaning fans and light bulbs
  • Cleaning windows and doors (includes external window washing)
  • Sofa, carpet and other upholstery cleanings
  • Cleaning walls
  • Animal waste removal
  • Mould removal
  • Cleaning surfaces above arms reach
  • Wash mattress protectors
It is best to sign a written contract with the cleaning team, clearly stating their responsibilities.

3. Airbnb Cleaning Checklist - Linen Service

During every changeover, dirty laundry has to go for washing, and a fresh one should come for the cleaners to set up. 

It is best if your cleaning team does laundry too, else check with a launderette nearby if they provide laundry services along with pickup and drop.

The cleaning and laundry team need to work very closely. Cleaning cannot finish without fresh laundry, and dirty laundry has to go at the same time a fresh one is delivered.

4. Regular Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

Whether you have contracted a cleaning company, or you do it yourself, periodic checks to look after specific aspects of cleaning in regular changeover is vital before the dust starts to accumulate in those hideous parts of your property.

The most common things to go over in this stage are:

  • Closets:
    • Shelves
    • Hangers
    • Baseboards
  • Living Room:
    • Fan
    • Blinds
    • Windows
    • Display items
    • Bulbs or tube lights
    • Under the sofa cushions (sometimes a pin or a tissue paper finds its way between the cushions)
    • Electric appliances (t.v., heater, etc.)
  • Bedroom:
    • Fan
    • Blinds
    • Windows
    • Under the beds
    • Display items
    • Mattress protector
    • Bedside lamps
    • Electric appliances(air conditioner, heater, etc.)
  • Bathroom:
    • Counters and shelves
    • Faucets
    • Wash basin
    • Mirrors
    • Windows
    • Drains
    • Toilet
    • Bathtub
    • Floor (sometimes hard water leaves stubborn marks)
    • Water heater if you have
  • Kitchen:
    • Counters and shelves
    • Faucets
    • Sink
    • Towels
    • Mats
    • Microwave
    • Toaster
    • Dishwasher
    • Kitchen cloth
    • Refrigerator
  • Entryway:
    • Shelves
    • Table tops
    • Baseboards
    • Storage
    • Displays
  • Dining Room:
    • Table
    • Chairs
    • Bar
    • Baseboards
    • Windows 

5. Keep Cleaning Supplies Topped Up

Do a regular check on supplies and don’t always rely on your cleaning team to tell you about a shortage, as you will be surprised how quickly some items get consumed. 

For my busiest properties, I ask my cleaners to purchase cleaning stuff they need and send me the original receipt. This keeps things simple and convenient for the cleaners and me and this is a crucial part to play along with keep Airbnb cleaning checklist.

Some items I recommend you should keep a tab on at least once every two months are:

  • Window cleaner
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Foaming shower cleaner
  • Wood cleaner
  • Mop
  • Mopping liquid
  • Bucket
  • Broom
  • Duster
  • Paper towels
  • Vacuum bags
  • Scrubbing brush
  • Sponges
  • Laundry basket
  • Washing up liquid
  • Detergent
Here is my list of cleaning products for Airbnb I use in all my properties.

6. Airbnb Cleaning Checklist - Important Points

Whether you are going to use a professional cleaning agency or clean it yourself, keep the following key points in mind:

  • Do not buy substandard furnishings to avoid colour bleeds, shrinkage and pilling. They look very untidy and ragged.
  • Purchase three sets of towels, sheets, covers etc. One is always in use, and the other one goes for washing and third stays in reserve for contingency.
  • You do not need to clean every day. Cleaning is done at the start of each stay. If the guests want cleaning in between they should pay extra for that, and you can request additional servicing fee via ‘request money’ function in the menu.
White towels for Airbnb
  • Preferably provide white bed linen and towels for two reasons:
    • It shows the property is professionally managed.
    • It is easier to take stains off from white fabric by bleaching it.
  • I have always provided white, cotton fabric (thread count >400) linen. 
  • Always use right quality fabric – it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. 
  • Always keep a printed copy of your Airbnb cleaning checklist at an accessible location so your cleaners can refer to it easily when needed.
  • Keep cleaning supplies stocked in the property and accessible to guests when needed, but put a combination lock over the storage to prevent unauthorised use.
Cleaning supplies
  • Keep reminding your cleaning team about the cleaning steps to follow.
  • Plan a monthly inspection if you can, to maintain excellent standards.
  • If you get a review comment about cleanliness, make sure you pass it on to the cleaners. 
  • If different providers do cleaning and laundry, make sure they work together well and communicate.
  • Make sure dirty/wet laundry is never left in the property overnight.
  • For late checkout requests, ask them to leave the luggage behind and let them come back and pick it up before the next guest arrives (i.e. check-in time).

     

Airbnb late checkout
  • This will give you enough time to get the place cleaned up. Strictly ask the guests not to use the facilities in the property when they come back to pick up the luggage. They will try to use the toilet and grab a glass of water before they finally depart, so be aware.

  • NEVER let the previous guest check out late, and next guest checks in early on the same day and always give priority to the incoming guest. 
  • Though some hosts add the rule to ‘do the dishes’, it is an OUT-AND-OUT ‘NO’ for a guest on vacation. Instead, I prefer to add an Airbnb cleaning fee and get the job done.

7. Optional house rules to add

Airbnb rules

No eatables in the bedroom

This Airbnb house rule may save time as well as money, but if you provide a kitchen, this is something you can’t avoid. It’s preferable to ask for compensation if any stain occurs (again I will mention – white bed-linen, that can be bleached, is the safest option to use). 

No shoes inside the property

If you have delicate floor boards or a carpet you just cannot see going black

leave your worries and shoes at the door

Check out this Airbnb Cleaning Checklist Template you can use as a reference.

As a host, do your best every time a new guest arrives, instead of going slack after the first few stays and reviews.

There is no looking back if you provide consistent quality every time. Just keep reminding the team of your Airbnb cleaning checklist regularly.

Good luck and happy hosting :)

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