Deep cleaning schedule for Airbnb: what to clean monthly, quarterly, annually

Category: Operations & Cleaning

By: Ryan Tanaka

Posted: 2026-01-01T13:06:11.232Z

Regular turnover cleaning keeps things surface-level clean. But I know there are things that need deeper cleaning on a regular basis — behind appliances, inside ovens, grout, windows, etc. What's a good deep cleaning schedule for STR? And do you use your regular cleaner or a separate deep cleaning service?

Reply by Brittany Simmons:

Regular turnover cleaning is like brushing teeth. Deep cleaning is the dentist visit. Both are necessary. Here's my schedule: **Monthly (done by regular cleaner, extra $50-75):** - Clean oven interior - Clean behind microwave - Wipe inside cabinets that guests use - Clean window tracks - Dust ceiling fans - Wipe baseboards - Clean under couch cushions (you'll find all sorts of guest treasures) - Deep clean garbage disposal (ice + lemon) - Clean coffee maker with vinegar cycle - Wash all throw blankets and pillow covers - Flip or rotate mattresses - Clean light fixtures and lampshades **Quarterly ($150-250 deep clean service):** - Professional carpet clean (if applicable) - Grout cleaning in bathrooms and kitchen - Clean inside refrigerator (ALL shelves, drawers) - Clean behind and under refrigerator (dust coils!) - Clean washing machine (run cleaning cycle + wipe gasket) - Clean dryer vent (fire safety!) - HVAC filter replacement - Window washing (interior) - Upholstery deep clean (steam clean sofas, chairs) - Mattress steam cleaning - Clean behind washer/dryer **Bi-annually:** - Professional window cleaning (exterior) - Power wash exterior (deck, driveway, siding) - Chimney sweep (if wood-burning fireplace) - Gutter cleaning - Touch-up paint (high-traffic areas: doorframes, walls near light switches) **Annually:** - Full HVAC professional service - Water heater flush - Smoke/CO detector replacement or battery change - Full property condition inspection (photograph everything for insurance) - Deck/fence stain inspection and touch-up - Full appliance inspection (check seals, hoses, connections) - Carpet replacement evaluation (replace every 3-5 years in STR) - Evaluate furniture condition (replace worn items) **I use my regular cleaner for monthly deeps** — I pay them extra ($50-75) and schedule it during a mid-week booking gap. Quarterly and annual maintenance I hire specialists. **Tracking system:** I use a shared Google Sheet with my cleaner(s) and handyman. Columns: Task, Frequency, Last Completed, Next Due, Responsible Person. Color-coded: green (on schedule), yellow (due soon), red (overdue). This system prevents the gradual decline that ruins properties. A clean that's 95% perfect every turnover but slowly deteriorating in deep-clean areas will eventually show up in reviews as "felt tired" or "needs updating." For including deep clean expectations in your operational manual, the house manual generator at https://strspecialist.com/tools/house-manual-generator has a section for property care instructions.