An Airbnb cleaning checklist is a detailed, room-by-room instruction for a host or cleaner to make their property clean and ready to welcome new guests. A good checklist should include key tasks such as deep cleaning the bathroom/kitchen, wiping down high-touch areas (doorknobs and remotes), changing linens, dusting, vacuuming, and restocking supplies.
By using this well-structured checklist, hosts can always meet their guests’ high standards of expectations. Also, this list helps prevent task mistakes; for this reason, every time they provide a guest a 5-star experience.
As you know, cleanliness directly affects guests’ experience and how Airbnb evaluates your listing. Missed details can lead to lower cleanliness scores, more complaints, and fewer repeat bookings. Without a clear checklist, even experienced cleaners can overlook small details that quickly lead to negative reviews.
Remember, a spotless property isn’t just nice to have; it can directly affect your bookings. That’s not a sudden issue that could be ignored. That’s why we’ve compiled a worthy list for you. Here, you will get everything from smooth turnovers to deep cleans, inspections, and coordinated teamwork, all working together to build a seamless guest experience. By following this system, your property stays guest-ready, reviews stay strong, and bookings flow steadily. We’ve also included ready-to-use PDF checklists to make it effortless to apply in your own Airbnb.
When Should You Use An Airbnb Cleaning List?
Use the Airbnb cleaning checklist when every guest checks out. It could be turnover cleaning or else deep cleaning. This cleaning checklist helps you keep your property spotless and consistent, deliver a 5-star guest experience, and prevent issues during turnovers. When to use your cleaning list:
- Between Every Guest Stay: Clean all rooms, replace linens, restock essentials, disinfect surfaces, remove trash, and take photos.
- During Long Stays: Mid-stay or weekly clean; refresh linens, clean bathrooms/kitchens, restock supplies.
- After Pet Stays: Remove hair, stains, odours, check for damage; document if needed.
- After Parties/Rule-Breaking Stays: Inspect property, deep clean, remove odors, document damage.
- Periodic Deep Cleaning (Quarterly): Clean baseboards, cabinets, vents, appliances, and other overlooked areas.
Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Checklist (Between Every Guest)
Turnover Cleaning (1-2 hours) іs quick and involves cleaning іn visible guest areas. On the other hand, Deep Cleaning (4-8 hours) is for hidden maintenance areas. Below is a structured Airbnb turnover checklist used by experienced hosts and cleaning teams.
Entryway & Living Area Cleaning Checklist
The living room and entryway are the first places guests see, so keeping them clean and well-organized is important. Do these things to make sure that every floor, surface, and piece of furniture is ready for guests.
- Wipe doors, handles, and switches
- Dust surfaces, shelves, and decor
- Clean remotes and electronics
- Vacuum cleaner and mop floors
- Spot-clean upholstery and throws
- Clean mirrors and glass
- Empty trash and replace liners
- Reset furniture tо the listing layout
- Fluff pillows, straighten blankets, and arrange furniture as shown in the listing photos.
Bedroom Cleaning Checklist
The bedroom іs where guests rest, recharge, and form their first impression оf comfort and hygiene. A clean, well-organised bedroom not only helps guests sleep well, but іt also gets better reviews and more repeat bookings. Use the checklist tо clean the surfaces and linens, making sure the room іs spotless and ready for every guests.
- Strip and replace all linens
- Inspect the mattress and protector
- Dust headboard, lamps, surfaces
- Disinfected Wipe high-touch areas
- Vacuum floors and under the bed
- Empty trash and check drawers
- Make a bed to the listing standard
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Airbnb listings with bathrooms receive the most reviews, and cleanliness has a significant impact on ratings. This list makes sure that every fixture, floor, and amenity is thoroughly cleaned and restocked.
- Disinfect the toilet completely
- Clean sink, counters, fixtures
- Scrub shower, tub, glass
- Clear hair from drains
- Mop floors and wipe baseboards
- Replace towels and bath mats
- Refill toiletries and paper items
- Empty trash
Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
A clean kitchen shows your guests that you care about their health and comfort. By doing these things, you can clean floors, surfaces, and appliances and ensure that trash and dishes are properly handled.
- Wash, dry, and store dishes
- Disinfect counters and backsplash
- Clean appliances inside and out
- Check and wipe the fridge interior
- Empty trash and recycling
- Clean cabinet fronts and handles
- Mop floors and spot-clean spills
Balcony / Outdoor Area
Outdoor areas make the experience better for guests, but they can get dirty and junky very quickly. Follow this Airbnb cleaning checklist to clean floors, furniture, and decorations, while also inspecting for damage or items that need repair.
- Remove trash and debris
- Sweep or wash floors
- Clean furniture and railings
- Clean glass doors/windows
- Straighten cushions and decor
- Inspect and report damage
- HVAC filter
Airbnb Deep Cleaning Checklist (Weekly / Monthly)
Deep cleaning іs more thorough than regular cleaning because іt removes hidden dirt, buildup, and other issues that regular cleanings often overlook. It focuses on areas that don’t get attention during day-to-day or turnover cleaning.
On the other hand, deep cleaning restores mattresses, furniture, appliances, vents, cabinets, and other items, keeping the property in good condition and earning a 5-star rating for cleanliness.
Deep cleaning, typically performed once a week, once a month, or every three months, helps ensure the furniture lasts longer and keeps guests satisfied.
Deep Cleaning Tasks by Area
If you don’t want to miss anything, deep cleaning is the solution that covers everything rather than turnover. Following these tasks helps effectively clean hidden dirt, grime, and buildup.
- Mattress Vacuuming: When vacuuming a mattress, clean stains and seams, deodorise, turn or flip the mattress, and inspect the frame and under-bed areas.
- Sofa and Curtain Cleaning: vacuum the cushions and crevices, treat stains with spot treatments, steam or wash the covers, wipe down leather and vinyl, and straighten the cushions and curtains.
- Appliance Deep Clean: Clean the inside and outside of your fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher, stovetop, washing machine, and dryer. Also, check for leaks or damage.
- Wall Mark Removal: Tо remove marks оn the wall, wipe down switch plates, door frames, baseboards, light fixtures, and ceiling fans, and touch up paint as needed.
- Fan and Vent Cleaning: Wipe down and dust fans, vents, and exhausts, vacuum or wash covers, replace air filters, and ensure everything functions properly.
- Inside Cabinets And Drawers: Empty, vacuum, and wipe the interiors, clean the fronts and handles, replace the liners, sort the contents, and discard anything no longer usable.
Airbnb Cleaning Supplies Checklist
When you have the right supplies, you can get more work done, keep things cleaner, and make guests happier. To keep things simple, this checklist covers everything you need to clean, stock, and prepare your Airbnb.
Essential Cleaning Tools
- Attachment-equipped HEPA vacuum
- Microfiber mop with extra pads
- Broom/dustpan
- Expandable duster
- Coloured microfiber cloths
Cleaning Supplies
- Surface cleaner universal
- an EPA-approved disinfectant
- Mirror and glass cleaner
- Tile and bathroom cleaner
- Clean the toilet bowl
- Kitchen degreaser
- Floor cleaner for wood/tile
Bathroom Essentials
- Holder + backups for toilet paper
- Refillable hand soap
- Clean towels and mats
- Bags of trash
- Toilet brush/plunger
- Shower cleaner squeegee
Kitchen Essentials
- Sponge and dish soap
- Paper towels
- Recycle and trash liners
- Basic condiments, coffee, and tea
- Clean stainless steel
- Detergent for dishwasher
Bedroom and Living room
- Fresh sheets and pillows
- Mattress and pillow protectors
- Extra blankets
- Bags for laundry
- Dirty roller
- Magic erasers
Emergency and Guest Supplies
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Flashlight
- Basic tools
- The backup toilet paper
Restock & Finishing Items
- An extra roll of paper towels
- All-size trash bags
- Disposable or reusable gloves
- Sponge and pad
- Polish wood or furniture
- Background checks
Cleaning List for Airbnb: When Working With a Cleaning Team or Company
It’s more important than most hosts think tо know when tо hire a cleaning team оr a cleaning company. Both can get the job done. You can choose based оn how much structure, backup, and control you need.
A small cleaning crew might be enough іf you only have one property and check-in times are flexible. But when there are more reservations, fewer turnovers, оr you manage from afar, relying оn memory оr spoken instructions can lead tо missing details and unhappy guests. That’s when you need a clear cleaning list more than ever.
A checklist clears things up. It tells you what tо expect. It keeps the same standards. You can share іt to cleaner іn a format that works for you,
- like a Google Doc,
- a printed copy at the property,
- оr a digital checklist.
Tо avoid mistakes, each property should have its own copy.
Photo documentation is another important layer of protection. Photo proof plays a key role in quality control and in protecting claims on Airbnb. Perfect time to keep documentation after guest checkout. The cleaning team should document the property and immediately record photos of any damage, missing items, broken items, or unusual messes.
These photos support Airbnb’s Host Damage Protection (AirCover) and allow hosts to file claims for guest-caused damage or unplanned extra cleaning. If photo or video proof is not submitted promptly, hosts may lose the chance to recover losses before the next guest arrives.
Cleaning for turnover іs quick and based оn deadlines. Some things can’t wait, like floods, damage, оr last-minute reservations. In this case, a managed company іs more adaptable than a single team. Companies offer backup cleaners, organised communication, and clear ways tо get tо higher levels оf support.
Airbnb Cleaning Checklist for Cleaning Teams & Companies
From cleaning solo to managing a team, hosts must move from daily work to systems. Now, the quality of the cleaning shouldn’t depend on the cleaner. Cleaning can guarantee a 5-star experience for every guest when onboarding, expectations, and quality checks are clear.
What To Include In Cleaner Onboarding?
At onboarding, cleaning quality is set. Short-term vacation rentals have higher standards than residential homes, so expectations must be set early. Cleaners should get:
- Airbnb house cleaning checklist by property
- Reference bed, towel, and staging photos
- Rules for hygiene, safety, and surface care
- Check-in and turnover deadlines
- Restocking, laundry, and linen instructions
- Guidelines for issue reporting and photo proof
- Emergency contacts and escalation
Walk cleaners through the property, in person or via video, and explain why detail matters. Small changes, such as towel folding or furniture placement, improve consistency.
Airbnb Checklist Cleaning for Self-Cleaning Hosts
Self-cleaning your Airbnb gives you quality control and guest satisfaction while saving money. A concise checklist helps solo hosts stay organised, avoid burnout, and provide a clean, comfortable space for guests. Here are the self-cleaning essentials:
- First 10 Minutes: Strip linens, begin laundry, apply cleaners, get windows open, take out trash
- For the Kitchen: Clean devices, wipe counters, sanitize the sink, remove leftovers, and restock essentials.
- For the Bathroom: Scrub the toilet, clear the shower/hot tub, scrub mirrors, replace towels, and mop floors.
- For Bedroom: Changing sheets, dusting furniture, vacuuming floors, keeping closets tidy, lint-roll cushions.
- Final Walkthrough: Verify staging, Verify amenities, Keep odour-free, Get photos ready.
Cleaning Quality Control Checklist (Post-Cleaning Inspection)
Guests care about details, so cleanliness isn’t enough. After cleaning, every surface, supply, and amenity is checked for 5-star quality. This inspection reduces guest complaints and negative reviews, and gives hosts confidence that their property is guest-ready. Inspection for post cleaning Airbnb housekeeping checklist are go through:
- Check floors for dust and debris.
- Check high-touch, soft, porous surfaces
- Check for odors
- Check all linens’ cleanliness
- Replace towels and mats.
- Ensure bed is made.
- Check throws and pillows.
- Restock toiletries and necessities
- Check kitchen supplies and appliances.
- Check the fridge for leftovers.
- Verify trash empties
- Check lights, electronics, and remotes
- Open windows for ventilation if needed.
- Walk through each room as a guest.
Airbnb Cleaning Errors That Ruin Reviews
Even minor cleaning issues can ruin a 5-star stay. Avoiding common mistakes improves guest satisfaction, ratings, and the rate of refunds. Common cleaning errors are:
- Reusing sheets
- Missing high-touch areas
- Insufficient bathroom scrub
- Avoiding kitchen surfaces
- Speeding up turnover cleaning
- Under-bed dust ignored
- Grimy windows/mirrors
- Towels are tained or dirty
- Overflowing trashcans
- Avoiding vacuum corners
- Overlooking appliances
- Bad linen folding/presentation
- Restock forgotten toiletries
- Weak odor control
- Ignoring minor damage
How Airbnb Cleaning Impacts Reviews and Search Ranking?
Cleaning on Airbnb affects guest reviews and search rankings. High cleanliness scores increase visibility, bookings, Superhost status, and guest trust, while low scores decrease ranking, occupancy, and repeat bookings.
Guests evaluate cleanliness оn a 1-5 scale, independent оf overall satisfaction. Airbnb’s algorithms prioritise 4.8+ scores for quality, which boosts search placement and bookings. Dirty linens, odours, and surfaces can lower visibility and reservations.
How does low cleanliness affect?
Using a detailed Airbnb host cleaning checklist to clean your property helps ensure top reviews, search visibility, and repeat guests.
- Listing Visibility: Low scores lower your property іn search results, reducing inquiries by 20%.
- Superhost Status: 4.8+; one low review can cost you a badge and benefits.
- Guest Trust: Bad hygiene undermines confidence, reduces repeat bookings, and damages reputation.
Free Airbnb Cleaning Checklist Download
Airbnb Host Checklist Templates
Editable Canva checklists for cleaning, inventory, guest preparation, property setup, safety, and daily Airbnb hosting tasks.
We are saying it’s free, but it’s worth more than you think. We simplified this Airbnb host checklist to help hosts maintain high standards and deliver a 5-star experience. Whether they clean the property themselves or hire a cleaning crew. It’s based on real turnover needs, so nothing important gets missed, and every guest walks into a spotless room.
The checklist is a natural part of how we manage cleaning for Airbnb. It saves hosts time, helps them stay organised, and make sure the quality of cleaning is consistent every time.
You Get:
- Printable checklist for cleaning an Airbnb
- Cleaning checklist оn a computer
- Canva version that teams can change
Think of this Airbnb cleaning checklist as a practical tool that simplifies turnovers, reduces stress, and helps protect your reviews. If you need extra help, they can help. We also help hosts with our professional Airbnb cleaning management, with workflows tailored to their property and hosting style.
Free Airbnb Cleaning Checklist PDF
STR Assistance offers a free Airbnb Cleaning Checklist PDF built from real turnover experience with Airbnb hosts and cleaning teams.. It’s ready to download and print to ensure consistency each time you host, save time while cleaning, and wow your guests every time they stay!
Download Airbnb Cleaning Checklist PDF
Free Airbnb Cleaning Checklist Word
Want it to be 100% yours? Edit, customise, and modify tasks in Word to fit your needs! The ideal Airbnb-hosting checklist for adaptable cleaning. Contact us for the free word documents.
Free Excel Cleaning Checklist Airbnb
Use this Airbnb cleaning checklist in Excel to track your tasks, delegate, and prevent errors when managing multiple properties or working with your team. This will help you maintain orderly, professional turnover of your properties.. Contact us for the free Excel Template.
Conclusion
A good cleaning checklist for Airbnb keeps everything on track. It speeds up the cleaning process and makes sure no details are missed, keeping your property ready to welcome guests. A well-detailed checklist can reduce your stress and protect your cleanliness score. It’s no matter whether you are doing it by yourself or hiring a team for this job.
If you want a professional checklist based on experience, our STR assistance has already made this easy for you.
