As an Airbnb host, ensuring your property is spotless for every guest is a top priority. A well-maintained vacation rental not only meets guest expectations but also boosts positive reviews, helping your listing thrive.
That’s why we at 10XBNB have crafted this comprehensive Airbnb cleaning checklist to streamline your cleaning process and elevate your hosting game.
Cleaning checklists are essential tools for Airbnb hosts to manage turnover tasks effectively between guest stays, ensuring thorough cleaning and reducing the risk of negative guest reviews.
Whether you manage the cleaning tasks yourself or hire cleaners, this Airbnb Tips guide covers everything you need to keep your short-term rental in pristine condition.
What is an Airbnb Cleaning Checklist?
An Airbnb cleaning checklist is a vital tool for any host or cleaning service. It’s a detailed list of tasks that need to be completed between guest stays to ensure the property remains in top-notch condition.
This checklist serves as a roadmap, guiding cleaners through essential tasks and ensuring nothing is overlooked.
By following a cleaning checklist, hosts can maintain high cleanliness standards, which is crucial for earning positive reviews and enhancing guest experiences.
Whether you’re handling the cleaning yourself or hiring a cleaning service, a well-structured checklist is indispensable for achieving a sparkling clean vacation rental.
Why an Airbnb Cleaning Checklist Matters
A detailed cleaning checklist is the backbone of successful Airbnb cleaning. It ensures consistency, saves time, and keeps your cleaning team—or yourself—on the same page.
Having a variety of cleaning products readily available is crucial for maintaining cleanliness and appealing to guests.
With guests arriving expecting a relaxing getaway, a sparkling clean space sets the tone for their stay. Plus, a thorough cleaning process, including dusting furniture and other surfaces, can prevent maintenance issues and costly damages down the line.
At 10XBNB, we’ve seen firsthand how a solid vacation rental cleaning checklist can transform a good rental into a great one.
Below is our ultimate Airbnb cleaning checklist, designed to cover every detail of your vacation rental. Use it as a free Airbnb cleaning checklist template or customize it to fit your property’s unique needs.
Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
The kitchen is a high-traffic area where guests expect cleanliness. Here’s what cleaners need to do:
- Wipe down countertops and appliances, including the microwave inside.
- Clean the refrigerator, removing leftover food and spills to keep the refrigerator clean.
- Wash dishes or run the dishwasher, ensuring machines are clean.
- Scrub the sink with dish soap and a scrub pad.
- Restock paper towels and hand soap.
- Take out trash bags and replace them.
- Sweep and mop hardwood floors for a sparkling clean finish.
Living Room Cleaning Checklist
The living room is where guests unwind, so it should feel inviting. Include these tasks:
- Dust living room furniture, ceiling fans, and light fixtures.
- Vacuum carpets or sweep floors, using a microfiber mop for hardwood floors.
- Wipe down light switches and the TV screen with microfiber cloths.
- Fluff pillows and organize dust on shelves or decor.
- Check for cleanliness issues like smudges or spills.
Bedroom Cleaning Checklist
A good night’s sleep starts with a clean bedroom. Here’s the cleaning checklist:
- Strip slept-in beds and change sheets, including duvet covers, with fresh ones.
- Wash bed linens and restock laundry baskets with fresh towels.
- Dust nightstands, light fixtures, and ceiling fans.
- Vacuum carpets or sweep floors.
- Wipe down light switches and other germ-prone areas.
- Perform a final scan to ensure everything looks pristine.
Ensuring a good night’s sleep for guests is crucial, so maintaining cleanliness and comfort in the bedroom is essential.
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Bathrooms demand extra attention for hygiene. Cleaners should:
- Scrub the toilet with a pumice stone if needed, restocking toilet paper.
- Clean the shower curtain, sink, and mirrors.
- Replace bath mats and towels from drying racks or the laundry room.
- Wipe down light switches and germ-prone areas.
- Sweep and mop floors with a microfiber mop.
Dining Room Cleaning Checklist
Keep the dining room ready for meals with these steps:
- Wipe down the table and chairs with microfiber cloths.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor.
- Check for leftover food or spills.
- Ensure living spaces nearby flow seamlessly with a clean look.
Outdoor Areas Cleaning Checklist
Don’t neglect outdoor appeal. Add these to your cleaning checklist:
- Sweep patios and clean patio furniture.
- Clean the BBQ grill if available, removing grease buildup.
- Take out trash bags from outdoor bins.
- Double-check for cleanliness issues like dirt or cobwebs.
Deep Cleaning Tasks for Your Vacation Rental
While regular Airbnb cleaning keeps things tidy, a periodic deep clean maintains long-term quality. Schedule these tasks monthly or as needed:
- Vacuum dryer lint from the laundry room.
- Deep clean the refrigerator and ovens.
- Wash windows and scrub hard-to-reach light fixtures.
- Shampoo carpets or polish hardwood floors.
Unique Insights from 10XBNB
At 10XBNB, we’ve learned that efficiency is key to scaling your short-term rental business. Pair this Airbnb cleaning checklist with tools like a channel manager to sync bookings across Airbnb and Vrbo, minimizing downtime between guests.
You can also share your Airbnb calendar with cleaners to coordinate schedules seamlessly. For hosts aiming for hands-off operations, explore automation strategies to let your cleaning team take the reins.
Working with Cleaning Services
If you outsource to a cleaning company, provide them with this free Airbnb cleaning checklist to align expectations.
Aside from using modern platforms to hire professional cleaners, you can opt for a more old-fashioned route by relying on word of mouth or searching for local cleaners online.
Include reference photos of how each room should look post-cleaning—living room furniture arranged, beds made, and outdoor areas tidy.
Instead of using modern platforms, you might consider the old-fashioned route of finding local cleaners through traditional methods. This ensures your cleaners deliver consistent results, even if you’re not there to oversee the dirty work.
Handling Turnover Days
When guests arrive, timing is everything. Use this cleaning checklist to prioritize tasks between check-out and check-in.
Start with slept-in beds, laundry baskets, and trash bags, then move to kitchens and bathrooms. A final scan catches overlooked spots, ensuring the property meets guest expectations every time.
Addressing Maintenance Issues
While cleaning, watch for maintenance issues like flickering light switches or a dirty BBQ grill. Report these to your property manager—check out our guide on questions to ask your property manager for tips on staying proactive.
This keeps your vacation rental in top shape.
Setting a Cleaning Fee
Setting a cleaning fee is an essential aspect of managing an Airbnb property. This fee helps ensure that the property is thoroughly cleaned between guest stays, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness.
The amount of the cleaning fee can vary based on factors such as the location, size, and condition of the property.
It’s important to research the average cleaning fee in your area to set a competitive and fair rate. A transparent cleaning fee policy can help manage guest expectations and cover the costs of cleaning supplies and equipment.
By clearly communicating the cleaning fee, hosts can protect their property and ensure a pleasant experience for future guests.
Customizing Your Cleaning Checklist
Every short-term rental is unique. If your property has wire hangers in closets or a laundry room with drying racks, add those to your cleaning checklist. For power outages or other disruptions, refer to our Airbnb power outage policy guide to keep guests happy.
The Role of Cleanliness in Guest Reviews
Guests expect a spotless stay, and a thorough cleaning process delivers. A clean vacation rental earns positive reviews, boosting your ranking and bookings. Skimp on the cleaning tasks, and you risk complaints about germs or clutter—something no Airbnb host wants.
Free Template Download
Need a ready-to-use version? Download our free Airbnb cleaning checklist from 10XBNB. It’s a customizable tool for short-term rental hosts, complete with reference photos and space to add property-specific notes.
Final Thoughts on Airbnb Cleaning
Mastering Airbnb cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With this ultimate Airbnb cleaning checklist, you’re equipped to keep your vacation rental sparkling clean, whether you handle it yourself or rely on cleaners. At 10XBNB, we believe a solid cleaning checklist is the foundation of a thriving short-term rental—pair it with smart strategies from our blog, like PMS and channel manager tips, and watch your hosting success soar.
