Cleaning airbnb Cottage in Chicago
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As a long-time Airbnb host and local cleaning expert here in Chicago, I know that keeping your Cottage spotless is essential for ensuring a five-star guest experience. Over the years, I've developed this comprehensive cleaning checklist specifically tailored for Airbnb hosts, based on what works best for properties in Chicago.
This checklist covers everything you need to maintain a welcoming and hygienic space:
- Daily Essentials: Take care of the most important tasks every day to keep your Airbnb looking fresh and ready for guests.
- Weekly & Monthly Deep Cleaning: Follow a schedule for deeper cleaning, ensuring that every corner of your Cottage remains in top condition.
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Alternatives: Use sustainable products and methods to maintain high cleaning standards while being mindful of the environment.
- Safety Precautions: Protect yourself and your guests by following important safety guidelines during the cleaning process.
This checklist is designed to help you stay ahead in the competitive Airbnb market by keeping your Cottage spotless and ensuring guests have an exceptional stay in Chicago. Follow these steps, and your property will always be in pristine condition, earning rave reviews from your guests.
1. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Attic
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flooring | Vacuum or sweep the attic floor thoroughly. | Vacuum cleaner or broom | Use a carpet sweeper or natural bristle broom | Weekly | 20 minutes | High | Watch out for any sharp objects on the floor. | Spot clean any stains immediately to prevent them from setting. |
| Windows | Clean windows inside and out to ensure a clear view. | Glass cleaner | DIY cleaner with vinegar and water | Once a month | 1 hour | Medium | Use a sturdy ladder if needed and be cautious with glass edges. | Dry windows with a newspaper for a streak-free finish. |
| Furniture | Dust and wipe down all furniture including chairs, tables, and shelves. | Multi-surface cleaner | Vinegar and water solution | Every 2 weeks | 30 minutes | High | Wear gloves and a mask to avoid dust inhalation. | Use a microfiber cloth for better dust removal. |
| Light Fixtures | Dust and clean light fixtures to ensure proper illumination. | Microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner | Microfiber cloth dampened with water | Every 2 months | 15 minutes | Medium | Turn off electricity before cleaning to avoid accidents. | Replace any burnt-out bulbs during cleaning for optimal lighting. |
| Storage Bins | Organize and clean storage bins, removing any unnecessary items. | All-purpose cleaner | DIY cleaner with baking soda and water | Every 3 months | 45 minutes | Medium | Use gloves when handling potentially dusty or dirty items. | Label bins for easy identification of contents. |
2. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Bathroom
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | Sweep and mop the bathroom floor, paying attention to corners and baseboards. | Floor cleaner suitable for tile or vinyl | Vinegar and water solution | After each guest check-out | 10-15 minutes | Medium | Use caution when mopping to avoid slips. | Start from the farthest corner and work your way towards the door. |
| Shower/tub | Scrub and rinse the shower walls, tub, and fixtures. Remove soap scum and mildew. | Shower cleaner or mildew remover | Vinegar and water solution | After each guest check-out | 15-20 minutes | High | Use gloves and ensure good ventilation. | Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before scrubbing for better results. |
| Mirror | Clean the mirror with a glass cleaner for a streak-free finish. | Glass cleaner | Vinegar and water solution | After each guest check-out | 2-5 minutes | Medium | Avoid spraying cleaner directly on electrical fixtures. | Use a microfiber cloth for a lint-free shine. |
| Trash Can | Empty the trash can, clean it with disinfectant, and replace the liner. | Disinfectant wipes or spray | White vinegar and water solution | After each guest check-out | 2-5 minutes | Low | Dispose of trash properly and wash hands after handling. | Use scented liners to keep the bathroom smelling fresh. |
| Sink | Clean the sink, faucet, and drain. Remove any buildup or stains. | All-purpose cleaner or vinegar solution | Baking soda paste | After each guest check-out | 5-10 minutes | High | Avoid mixing cleaning agents. | Use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas around the faucet. |
| Toilet | Clean and disinfect the toilet bowl, seat, lid, and exterior. | Toilet bowl cleaner with disinfectant | Vinegar and baking soda solution | After each guest check-out | 5-10 minutes | High | Wear gloves and ensure proper ventilation. | Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl thoroughly. |
3. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Bedroom
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | Change bed linens including sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover. | Laundry detergent, fabric softener | Eco-friendly laundry detergent strips | After each guest checkout | 20 minutes | High | Handle soiled linens with gloves | Rotate different sets of linens to extend their lifespan. |
| Floor | Vacuum carpets and rugs, mop hard floors. | Vacuum cleaner, floor cleaner | Baking soda and vinegar for cleaning | Weekly | 30 minutes | Medium | Ensure the floor is dry before allowing guests back in. | Use a microfiber mop for better cleaning results. |
| Furniture | Dust and polish all furniture surfaces. | Furniture polish, microfiber cloth | DIY furniture polish with olive oil and lemon juice | Bi-weekly | 15 minutes | Medium | Use furniture polish in a well-ventilated area. | Use a toothbrush to clean intricate details on furniture. |
| Windows | Clean windows inside and out for a clear view. | Glass cleaner, lint-free cloth | Vinegar solution for cleaning | Monthly | 20 minutes | Low | Use a sturdy ladder if cleaning high windows. | Clean windows on a cloudy day to prevent streaks. |
| Closet | Organize and declutter the closet space. | Storage bins, closet organizer | Use recycled cardboard boxes for storage | Seasonally | 30 minutes | Low | Avoid overloading closet shelves. | Rotate seasonal clothing to keep the closet tidy. |
4. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Kitchen
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appliances | Wipe down the exterior of appliances like the refrigerator, microwave, and stove | Stainless steel cleaner | White vinegar | Weekly | 10-15 minutes | Medium | Unplug appliances before cleaning | Use a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks on stainless steel surfaces |
| Cabinets | Clean cabinet exteriors and handles | Wood cleaner for wooden cabinets, all-purpose cleaner for others | Olive oil and vinegar solution for wooden cabinets | Monthly | 15-20 minutes | Low | Avoid using abrasive cleaners on wooden cabinets | Organize and declutter cabinets while cleaning to maintain order |
| Floor | Sweep and mop the kitchen floor | Floor cleaner suitable for the floor type | Water and vinegar solution | After every guest checkout | 15-20 minutes | High | Use caution when mopping to prevent slipping | Spot clean any spills immediately to prevent stains |
| Countertops | Wipe down countertops with a disinfectant cleaner | Multi-surface cleaner | Vinegar and water solution | After every guest checkout | 5-10 minutes | High | Use gloves when handling disinfectant cleaners | Focus on removing any food crumbs or spills |
| Sink | Clean and sanitize the sink, including the faucet and drain | Baking soda and vinegar | Lemon juice and baking soda | After every guest checkout | 5-10 minutes | High | Avoid mixing baking soda with harsh chemicals | Scrub the sink with a sponge or brush to remove stains |
5. Detailed Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Living Room
| Item Type | Task Description | Product Suggestion | Eco-friendly Alternative | Frequency | Estimated Time | Priority Level | Safety Precautions | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | Vacuum or sweep the floor to remove dirt and debris. | Vacuum cleaner or broom | Cordless vacuum or natural bristle broom | Weekly | 15 minutes | High | Watch out for small objects that could damage the vacuum. | Use a crevice tool to reach corners and under furniture. |
| Furniture | Dust all furniture surfaces including tables, chairs, and shelves. | Microfiber cloth | Reusable cotton cloth | Weekly | 15 minutes | Medium | Avoid using harsh chemicals on wooden surfaces. | Start from the top and work your way down to prevent dust from settling on already cleaned areas. |
| Decor | Dust decorative items such as frames, vases, and figurines. | Feather duster | Microfiber cloth | Bi-weekly | 10 minutes | Low | Handle delicate items with care. | Use a soft brush attachment on a vacuum for delicate items. |
| Electronics | Dust and wipe down electronics like TV, remote controls, and speakers. | Electronics cleaning wipes | Microfiber cloth dampened with water | Monthly | 10 minutes | Medium | Unplug electronics before cleaning. | Use a can of compressed air to remove dust from hard-to-reach areas. |
| Windows | Clean windows and window sills. | Glass cleaner and microfiber cloth | Vinegar solution and reusable cloth | Monthly | 20 minutes | Medium | Be cautious when using a ladder for high windows. | Wipe windows in a zigzag motion to avoid streaks. |
