Airbnb Cleaning Checklist: The 2025 Short Term Rental Guide
Are you struggling with the quick turnaround times between guest stays at your Airbnb?
First impressions are everything. Cleanliness in short term rentals is a non-negotiable factor, directly impacting guest satisfaction — and failing to meet expectations can significantly affect your property’s appeal.
The introduction of Airbnb’s Enhanced Clean program has raised the bar for cleanliness, elevating guest expectations. This initiative emphasizes the importance of thorough cleaning practices and has become a benchmark for cleanliness and safety.
Fortunately, having a thorough cleaning checklist (and streamlined implementation) ensures that your team is well-equipped to maintain the cleanliness standards you’ve set, and your guests expect.
This article will explore creating a routine that speeds up turnovers, selecting tools that save time, and stocking essential supplies to avoid last-minute scrambles. By addressing these key strategies, you’ll learn how to tackle maintenance issues swiftly and provide crystal-clear instructions for any cleaning staff you might hire.
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General Cleaning Ideas for 2025
- Prioritize High-Touch Areas
These are the areas most frequently touched by guests and, therefore, more likely to harbor germs. Regularly disinfect surfaces like door handles, light switches, remotes, faucets, and appliance handles. Use EPA-approved disinfectants for the best results.
2. Break Cleaning Into Zones
Divide the property into manageable zones (kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living spaces) and tackle one zone at a time. This ensures thoroughness and reduces the chances of missing a spot. Assigning zones to individual cleaners can also improve efficiency in larger properties.
3. Set Up a Cleaning Schedule
Use tools like Google Calendar or property management software to align cleaning tasks with your booking calendar. This automation helps streamline operations and ensures consistent turnaround times, even during peak seasons.
4. Use Eco-Friendly Products
Incorporate biodegradable cleaning agents, reusable cleaning cloths, and refillable bottles into your cleaning routine. Highlight this in your listing to attract eco-conscious guests and stand out in a competitive market.
5. Integrate Smart Sensors
Install sensors for motion detection, air quality monitoring, and temperature control. These can alert you to issues like excessive humidity (which may require dehumidification) or stale air, signaling when additional cleaning or maintenance is needed.
6. Automate Cleaning Reminders
Use software like Operto Connect to send automated reminders to cleaners based on check-out times. This ensures quick turnaround and minimizes scheduling conflicts.
7. Invest in Smart Vacuums/Mops
Robotic vacuums like Roomba or Ecovacs can clean floors autonomously, saving time for your cleaning crew. Program them to operate between guest stays or at night to keep properties spotless with minimal effort.
8. Focus on Fragrance-Free Cleanliness
Many guests have sensitivities to strong scents. Use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free cleaning products to provide guests with a neutral and safe environment. This can also reduce the risk of negative reviews related to overpowering smells.
9. Prepare Guest Amenities
Include a small starter pack of essentials like dish soap, sponges, laundry detergent, and cleaning wipes. Guests will appreciate the thoughtful touch, which may reduce minor maintenance requests during their stay.
10. Standardize Cleaning Kits
Pre-assemble kits for each property with all necessary cleaning supplies (e.g., gloves, sponges, disinfectants, microfiber cloths). This eliminates time gathering supplies and ensures cleaners always have what they need.
11. Track Inventory Digitally
Inventory management tools monitor the availability of consumables like toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning products. This helps avoid last-minute shopping and replenishes all supplies before the next guest arrives.
12. Leverage AI for Feedback
Analyze guest reviews with AI-driven tools to identify patterns and trends related to cleanliness. For example, if guests frequently mention dusty areas, adjust your checklist to address this feedback proactively.
Pre-Cleaning Preparation
Before diving into the cleaning process, setting the stage for an effective cleaning session is crucial. Proper preparation makes the cleaning process smoother and ensures safety and efficiency. Consider the following:
- Inventory Check: Verify your cleaning arsenal is fully stocked with necessary supplies, including detergents, disinfectants, sponges, and mops. Missing supplies can disrupt the cleaning flow and affect the overall quality.
- Safety Measures: Prioritize health and safety by equipping yourself with protective gear such as gloves and masks, and ensuring the area is well-ventilated during the cleaning process to prevent inhalation of chemicals.
- Check Equipment: Make sure all cleaning equipment is in good working order including vacuums, mops, and dusters.
- Plan Your Approach: Strategize the cleaning sequence to maximize efficiency, usually starting from the back of the property to the front, or from the top floor to the bottom. This approach prevents re-contamination of cleaned areas.
Room-by-Room Airbnb Cleaning Checklist
To ensure no area is overlooked, we’ve broken down the cleaning process by room to ensure no area is overlooked.
Entrance and Living Areas:
- Ensure the entrance is free of debris
- Dust all surfaces, including furniture, lamps, shelves, ceiling fans, windowsills, ledges, and décor
- Vacuum the couch and chairs, including under the couch and cushions
- Fluff any decorative throw pillows
- Launder throw blankets, and ensure they are replaced and neatly folded
- Check for carpet stains, and try to remove
- Wipe down walls to remove scuff marks
- Ensure the fireplace turns on and the pilot light works
- Sweep and mop hard floors, paying extra attention to high-traffic areas
- Clean windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces to a streak-free shine
- Disinfect light switches, doorknobs, and remote controls
- Organize books, magazines, and décor items for an inviting atmosphere
- Ensure the arrangement of furniture matches the reference photo provided
Kitchen:
- Clean and sanitize countertops, sinks, and backsplashes
- Wash all dishes, utensils, and cookware
- Empty the dishwasher and wipe the front
- Clean both the inside and outside of the refrigerator and freezer, removing any food and checking the set temperature
- Clean the inside and outside of the oven, ensuring there are no spills or burnt food remaining
- Clean the stovetop, including elements, control knobs, and range hood
- Clean the inside and outside of the microwave, removing and wiping the turntable.
- Wipe down all smaller appliances, paying special attention to the inside of the handles
- Remove any filters from the coffee pot, wipe down the appliance and wash the pot
- Wipe cabinet exteriors
- Empty the trash can, disinfect, and replace the trash bag
- Empty any recycling bins and compost
- Sweep and mop the floor thoroughly
- Restock essential supplies like coffee, tea
- Restock dish soap, dishwasher pods and sponges, and paper towels
Bathroom:
- Collect all dirty towels and bathmats and launder
- Clean and sanitize the toilet, including the base, inside, seat, lid, and behind
- Scrub the bathtub, shower, shower door or curtain, and faucets
- Check to ensure the shower head and drain are clear
- Clean and disinfect the sink, faucet, and backsplash
- Clean the mirror to streak-free shine
- Empty the trash can, disinfect, and replace the trash bag
- Dust any windowsills, fans, and vents
- Sweep and mop the floor thoroughly
- Replace towels and bathmats
- Restock amenities like toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo, and conditioner
- Neatly arrange bathroom accessories, including hairdryers
- Conduct a final scan to ensure no hair is left behind in the sink, shower, bathtub, or on the floor
Bedrooms:
- Remove and launder bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers, and blankets
- Sanitize frequently touched objects such as light switches and remote controls
- Check around the room — in drawers, closets, and under the bed — for any personal items or trash
- Dust the tops of dressers, nightstands, windowsills, ceiling fans, and décor
- Open and wipe down blinds
- Inspect bedding, furniture, and other room items for signs of wear or damage
- Empty the trash can, disinfect, and replace the trash bag
- Sweep and/or vacuum the floors, making sure to clean under the bed and inside closets
- Remake the bed with fresh linens
- Tidy and arrange any decorative items and artwork
- Ensure the arrangement of furniture and bedding matches the reference photo provided
Dining Room:
- Dust and wipe down the table and chairs, including the edges and under the table
- Dust window sills, ceiling fans, and ledges
- Wash the tablecloth
- Dust any candle holders or centerpieces
- Sweep and vacuum the floors
Laundry Room:
- Restock laundry detergent
- Clean out the lint trap
- Wipe down the front of the washer and dryer
Exterior:
- Sweep any patios, decks, or walkways of leaves and debris
- Wipe off the patio furniture, and rearrange it according to the reference photo provided
- Sweep debris from entry areas
- Clean the outside of the barbeque and scrape the inside grates
- Check and restock the propane tank
- Ensure outdoor lighting is working properly
Safety and Maintenance Checks:
- Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries as needed
- Check for any maintenance issues, such as leaky faucets or burnt-out lightbulbs, and address them immediately
- Ensure the internet signal is working and strong
- Check that all appliance clocks display the correct time
- Ensure all safety equipment, including fire extinguishers and first aid kits, is accessible and in good condition
- Confirm the property is secure, locking windows, doors, and storage
- Keep an inventory of linens, toiletries, and other essential supplies to ensure you’re always prepared for incoming guests
Implementing your Airbnb Cleaning Checklist
Ensuring your Airbnb cleaning checklist is current and effectively communicated is crucial to avoid misalignment and frustration. Establishing straightforward processes is key.
This includes:
- Segmenting routine tasks into actionable steps aligned with your checklists
- Implementing ongoing training
- Periodically reassess your checklists to incorporate new amenities or enhancements
- Leveraging property care, maintenance, and operations software tailored to your specific business needs
A comprehensive property care solution should offer features like:
- Ready-to-use checklist templates to guarantee no details are overlooked
- Easy customization by region, property, task, and room
- Visual reference aids such as photos and videos to ensure consistency and accuracy in cleaning and staging
- The ability for cleaners to upload photos for task verification and quality comparison
- Tools tracking cleaning times to ensure efficiency, and automate payroll reports
- A mobile application that makes it easy for staff to stay updated on checklists, tasks, and schedule changes
The Bottom Line
Airbnb cleaning checklists are invaluable for saving time and maintaining excellence across your short term rental properties. Implementing property care automation software like Operto Teams can significantly support these efforts, offering a seamless, straightforward solution for maintaining the highest standards of property care and team coordination.
With Operto Teams, you can ensure that every aspect of your property management — from checklist distribution to quality assurance — is handled with precision, delivering the exceptional cleanliness standards your guests expect and a streamlined process for your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Airbnb Enhanced Clean program?
The Airbnb Enhanced Clean program is a set of cleaning guidelines developed in collaboration with health and hospitality experts. It’s designed to help hosts prepare their spaces for guests by following a detailed cleaning and sanitization process. Hosts who commit to this program must adhere to a comprehensive checklist that covers room-by-room cleaning tasks, ensuring that every area of the rental meets high standards for hygiene and safety.
This initiative aims to enhance guest confidence and safety by promoting a higher standard of cleanliness across Airbnb listings.
What are the most commonly missed cleaning spots in short term rentals?
Commonly overlooked cleaning areas in short term rentals include remote controls, light switches, door handles, appliance handles, and faucet handles. These high-touch areas can harbor germs and should be thoroughly disinfected between guest stays. Paying attention to these details can significantly improve guest satisfaction and cleanliness ratings.
What should I do if a guest complains about cleanliness?
If a guest complains about cleanliness, respond promptly and professionally. Offer to rectify the issue as quickly as possible, such as arranging for an immediate cleaning service. Use the feedback to review and adjust your cleaning procedures, ensuring that future guests do not encounter similar issues. Transparent communication and a commitment to resolution can help maintain positive guest relations and protect your property’s reputation.
How can hosts encourage guests to maintain cleanliness during their stay?
Hosts can encourage guests to maintain cleanliness by clearly communicating house rules related to cleanliness and providing the necessary supplies, such as cleaning products, trash bags, and instructions for appliance use. Consider including polite reminders or tips in the welcome guide about keeping the space clean. Offering incentives, such as a discount on future stays for leaving the property in good condition, can also motivate guests to adhere to cleanliness guidelines.
Can technology help in linen and laundry forecasting for Airbnb cleaning?
Yes, technology can significantly aid in linen packing for Airbnb cleaning by providing forecasting of upcoming linen needs for all reservations. With software that provides accurate and automated forecasting for these requirements, it’s easy for managers and staff to understand what’s needed. As a result, all reservations are stocked with the required amount of linens, and managers and staff are less stressed and have saved time knowing that they have the right amounts of clean laundry and linens in the right places at the right times, avoiding disruptions and maintaining high standards.
Is it worth investing in professional cleaning services for my Airbnb?
Investing in professional cleaning services can be worth it for Airbnb hosts, especially for those with high guest turnover, larger properties, or limited time to manage cleaning personally. Professional cleaners can ensure that cleaning standards are consistently met, potentially improving guest reviews and ratings. However, it’s important to consider the cost and ensure that the service provider understands the specific requirements of short term rental properties.
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