In today’s competitive short-term rental market, cleanliness can make or break a guest’s experience—and your reviews. Whether you manage a single Airbnb or multiple properties, vacation rental cleaning needs to be fast, consistent, and detail-oriented.
Here are 9 practical tips to help ensure your property looks spotless and guest-ready every time, along with a cleaning checklist you can follow.
1. Always start with a walkthrough
Before you grab your supplies, do a quick walkthrough. Check for damage, leftover belongings, and maintenance issues. This helps you identify problem areas early and avoid surprises after you’ve started cleaning.
2. Stick to a cleaning schedule
Whether your property turns over weekly or daily, create a standardized cleaning schedule. This ensures consistency and reduces the chance of forgetting a step—especially when you’re managing multiple units.
3. Use hotel-grade products
Opt for high-quality, disinfecting cleaning products that meet hospitality standards. Look for EPA-registered disinfectants that are safe, effective, and eco-friendly, especially for high-touch surfaces.
4. Replace linens every time
Even if a guest only stayed for one night, always replace towels, sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. Use white or light-colored linens to show cleanliness, and keep extras on hand to speed up turnovers.
5. Don’t forget high-touch areas
Focus on disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, including:
- Doorknobs
- Light switches
- Remote controls
- Appliance handles
- Faucets
- Alarm keypads
These areas are often missed but critical for guest safety.
6. Check the fridge and pantry
Leftover food or expired items are not only unprofessional—they’re unsanitary. Always empty the fridge, clean spills, and wipe down shelves. Don’t forget the microwave and coffee maker, too.
7. Stock essentials
Replenish essentials like toilet paper, hand soap, dish soap, trash liners, and paper towels. Bonus: leave a welcome item (like a bottle of water or a handwritten note) to elevate the guest experience.
8. Inspect for hair and dust
After vacuuming and mopping, take a moment to look from the guest’s perspective. Use a flashlight if needed to check for dust, hair, or smudges on floors, mirrors, and bedding.
9. Document your work
Take photos after each clean to document the condition of the unit. This helps resolve any disputes and gives you a visual record to track cleaning quality over time.
Vacation rental cleaning checklist
A structured checklist ensures nothing gets missed during turnover. Here’s what you should cover:
Kitchen cleaning
- Clean sink and faucet
- Wipe countertops and cabinet doors
- Sanitize appliances (microwave, oven, fridge, etc.)
- Mop floors
- Remove trash and replace liners
Dining area cleaning
- Wipe table and chairs
- Dust lighting fixtures
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Check placemats and restock napkins
Bathroom cleaning
- Disinfect toilet, sink, and shower
- Replace towels and toiletries
- Clean mirrors and counters
- Restock toilet paper and hand soap
- Mop floors
Living room cleaning
- Vacuum rugs and upholstery
- Dust all surfaces, lamps, and electronics
- Disinfect remotes and high-touch areas
- Straighten furniture and décor
Bedroom cleaning
- Strip and change all bed linens
- Dust nightstands, lamps, and headboards
- Vacuum carpets or sweep floors
- Check under the bed for items
- Arrange pillows and bedding neatly
Find vacation rental cleaners near you
At Quality Cleaning Service, we specialize in professional vacation rental cleaning tailored for Airbnb, Vrbo, and short-term properties. Our experienced team understands the fast pace and high standards of turnover cleaning and guarantees:
- Spotless results
- On-time service
- Flexible scheduling
- Thorough sanitization and staging
Contact Quality Cleaning Service today to schedule your next vacation rental clean or request a custom cleaning plan.