The Ultimate Airbnb Cleaning Checklist
Cleaning your Airbnb rental property is one of the main keys to keeping your guests happy, avoiding complaints and ensuring they have a great stay. However, it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re not used to cleaning houses regularly.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy checklist, which includes everything you need to clean up before and after your guests arrive!
How Does a Vacation Rental Cleaning Checklist Help?
When it comes to maintaining hygiene, short-term rental homeowners need to do a thorough clean every time a guest leaves their Airbnb. To ensure that the cleaning process is not too complicated or tiring, good organisation is needed, as well as patience.
We’ve found that a thorough cleaning checklist is the key to keeping your vacation rental home spotless. Not only will it make the whole process much faster, but you can also use it as an instruction manual if you hire someone else for cleaning services. You’ll be able to set expectations and highlight areas that need more attention, making sure everything gets done without any hiccups or worries about what needs more work on your part before you start.
Introducing a comprehensive vacation rental cleanliness checklist into your routine will greatly improve your hosting prowess. By using it, you will always know that all areas of the house are completely clean and ready for guests to enjoy.
As an owner or manager, this list can be invaluable in making sure everything is spotless before the next guests arrive, which translates into happier customers with better reviews left by travellers on Airbnb (and of course more income!).
Cleaning before the arrival of the guests
It’s important to create a great first impression on your guests, especially if you want them to leave you rave reviews. You can use fancy decor and services, as well as good prices, but guests really appreciate cleanliness, so do the best job you can by following this list before they arrive:
Here is a checklist of how you can greatly improve the cleanliness of each area of your Airbnb.
Kitchen cleaning
Make sure your kitchen is ready for guests to start cooking after their trip. Cleaning all surfaces and items, emptying the dishwasher, replenishing paper towels and soap will help you enjoy a delicious meal in no time.
Check the corners for dirt, grease, and mould.
Clean the area where you keep trash and recyclables.
Clean countertops of dirt and mould.
Are the appliances clean of food particles and dirt? Remove them and clean under and behind.
Are the light switch plates clean? Do you have to change them?
Cleaning of the bedrooms
Does the floor need to be thoroughly cleaned? Check for dirt, dust, and mould in the corners.
Remove furniture to clean the floor.
Are the window sills clean?
Are the windows clean?
Are your ceiling fan blades clean?
Bathroom cleaning
Check for dirt, mould, or hairballs in the corners.
Are the countertops clean of dirt and mould?
Is the bathroom clean?
Do the toilet seat and shower curtains need to be changed?
Make sure there is no mould or dirt in the shower and/or bathtub on the ceiling.
Are windows and sills free of dirt and mould?
Is the lighting dark? Bright lights are important.
Cleaning the exterior of the house
Pressure-wash walkways, patios and the sides of the house.
Deep clean or replace outdoor grills and/or stoves.
Give your patio furniture a deep clean or look to refinish or replace it.
Tidy up the landscaping and foliage.
Make sure there is no clutter or debris in the outdoor space.
Clean laundry
Make sure the washer and dryer are empty
Clean machines (including sealing areas) and leave them open
Wash the floor (sweep or mop)
Take out the rubbish and clean the rubbish bins
Ensure supply of laundry supplies (for example, detergent, dryer sheets, or fabric softener)
Make sure the iron, ironing board and distilled water are in place
Living room cleaning
Clean and disinfect stereos, gaming systems, televisions, and remote controls
Make sure the welcome book is in a visible place and in good condition
Sweep, vacuum and mop floors/carpet as appropriate
Check under the cushions and sofas for debris and other items
Clean and straighten pillows, blankets, etc.
Dust and clean furniture, blinds, picture frames, knick-knacks, ceiling fans, and lamps
Wash windows (interiors) and sliding glass doors
If applicable, check that the fireplace is free of ashes and that the wood is well stacked
Cleaning during the stay of your guests
Sometimes you will have to host guests for a long period of time. If you are hosting a large group of people and need to keep certain areas clean, then it is important that while they are staying in your vacation rental property, there are no issues in those parts. This will ensure the best possible experience for all guests.
Organise a cleaning service once a week: talk to your guests and decide on the day and time that suits everyone best.
Other cleaning tips
Include a cleaning fee for longer stays if they prefer you to do the cleaning.
Include a discount for longer stays to encourage guests to do the cleaning themselves.
Keep some cleaning supplies inside the house, so guests can do the cleaning themselves if necessary.
Offer a weekly change of sheets/pillows/towels.
Encourage open communication: Upon arrival, talk to them about your cleaning preferences.
We also recommend having a shorter vacation rental cleaning checklist for mid-stay cleaning. It may include the following activities:
Replacement of towels, sheets, pillowcases and blankets
Replacement of light bulbs
Replenishment of toilet paper and paper towels
Replenishment of rubbish bags
Replace liquid bathroom air fresheners
Cleaning after the departure of your guests
Once the guests have left, it’s important to make sure everything is in order. If something breaks, you’ll need to estimate the damage and file a security deposit or insurance claim; but do not forget the personal items left by guests.
This short checklist after departure will help you take care of everything quickly:
Check the fridge and freezer for food debris and stains from previous use.
Open the microwave to check for spills, stains, or unpleasant odours.
Check hidden surfaces: under beds, under garbage cans, under sinks, etc.
Open all the drawers: cabinets, nightstands, dressers.
If you use recycling bins, quickly check to see if guests have properly sorted their trash.
Make sure nothing is broken.
Check if all valuables are still in their place.
Conclusion:
Vacation rentals are not hotels, but travellers expect them to maintain the same level of cleanliness. The best way to keep your house clean is to use a checklist and always follow it. This will take the hassle out of cleaning, so you can enjoy high expectations for guests with glowing reviews.
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