10-Point Checklist for Airbnb House Cleaning
Airbnb house cleaning checklist routines are essential for achieving spotless, guest-ready spaces that meet both hygiene standards and Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Protocol. Every turnover should follow a structured process that covers all major zones — bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and shared areas. This means changing linens, sanitising high-touch surfaces, disinfecting countertops, and cleaning appliances and sinks until every detail feels brand new. Floors should be vacuumed and mopped, bins emptied, and amenities restocked with fresh supplies like soap, paper towels, and coffee. Following this consistent system not only prevents missed spots but also guarantees a pristine, welcoming environment that earns repeat bookings and 5-star reviews. For professional Airbnb cleaning that meets these expectations, hosts should rely on structured systems and trained teams.
1. Pre-Cleaning Preparation and Safety Setup
Preparation creates efficiency. Before cleaning begins, open windows to ventilate, switch on lights for full visibility, and inspect each room for damage or forgotten items. Collect rubbish and used linen in separate bags to avoid cross-contamination.
Ensure cleaning tools are ready: microfibre cloths, mop heads, gloves, and approved disinfectants. Using colour-coded cloths (kitchen, bathroom, general) prevents bacteria spread. Keep a separate caddy for wet and dry areas. A clean start with order — by setting up correctly, cleaners save time and achieve more consistent hygiene results throughout the property.
2. Kitchen Cleaning and Sanitisation
The kitchen is where hygiene standards are most visible. Begin by clearing counters and loading the dishwasher. Wash all dishes, cutlery, and utensils, or replace them if chipped. Wipe every surface — benchtops, splashbacks, cupboard handles — with food-safe detergent followed by disinfectant.
Clean inside the microwave, oven, and fridge, removing stains or spills. Degrease cooktops, polish stainless steel fittings, and disinfect sinks and tapware. Sweep and mop the floor last to prevent re-contamination. Finally, restock kitchen staples such as dish soap, paper towels, tea, and bin liners. A spotless, odour-free kitchen reflects attention to detail that guests always notice.
3. Bathroom Deep-Clean and Disinfection
Bathrooms must meet hospital-grade hygiene. Start by spraying all surfaces with detergent and letting it dwell to lift grime. Scrub sinks, vanities, and tapware, then rinse and disinfect using a TGA-approved cleaning agent. Clean toilet bowls, seats, hinges, and flush buttons, ensuring full disinfection contact time.
Remove any hair or residue from drains and corners. Polish mirrors and chrome fixtures to a streak-free shine. Replace towels and bath mats, restock toiletries, and empty bins. Mop floors with hot water and allow full drying time before closing the door. A clean bathroom defines overall property quality more than any other space.
4. Bedroom Turnover and Linen Management
A well-made bed signals cleanliness and care. Strip used linen, check for stains or tears, and replace with freshly laundered sheets and pillowcases. Smooth the duvet and align the pillows evenly. Dust bedside tables, headboards, lamps, and blinds.
Disinfect switches, handles, and remotes, then vacuum under beds and skirting boards. For longer stays, rotate mattresses to maintain comfort and hygiene. Always ensure beds are dry and free of lint before staging. Clean, crisp linen and balanced room scent instantly elevate guest perception, reinforcing trust and professionalism.
5. Living Room and Common Area Detailing
Shared spaces set the tone for relaxation. Dust all surfaces, furniture, electronics, and décor. Clean TV screens gently with a dry microfibre cloth, disinfect remotes, and wipe light switches and handles.
Vacuum sofas and under cushions to remove dust and crumbs. Straighten furniture, fluff pillows, and fold throws neatly. Clean glass doors and windows to ensure natural light enhances the room. A living area that looks organised, smells fresh, and feels calm directly impacts guest satisfaction and future ratings — making it a core element of every Airbnb cleaning checklist. If you're looking for a room-by-room breakdown, check out our
complete Airbnb cleaning checklist for hosts.
6. Floors and Entryways
Floors carry the highest bacterial load, so they must be cleaned last for maximum freshness. Vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly, paying attention to corners and under furniture. Use a pH-neutral cleaner for hard floors to preserve the finish and avoid residue.
At entry points, sweep or mop, then wipe down doors, handles, and light switches. Clean entry mats and remove scuff marks from walls or skirting boards. A gleaming, well-maintained floor not only improves hygiene but also creates a polished first impression for arriving guests.
7. Laundry and Linen Turnover Routine
Efficient laundry management supports seamless back-to-back bookings. Begin washing immediately after stripping beds. Separate whites, colours, and towels, using warm water and a sanitising additive if required. Dry completely before folding to prevent damp smells.
Keep two complete linen sets per bed, ready for quick changeovers. Clean lint filters regularly and wipe down washing machine seals. If outsourcing laundry, confirm hypoallergenic detergents and packaging hygiene. Managing linen consistently keeps standards high and ensures every check-in feels brand new.
8. Restocking Guest Essentials
Restocking is both operational and psychological — guests feel cared for when basics are always available. Replace toilet rolls, paper towels, and bin liners. Refill soap dispensers, dishwashing liquid, and toiletries with quality, eco-friendly options.
Check kitchenware, utensils, and appliances for cleanliness and function. Replenish tea, coffee, and sugar, and leave a small welcome gift if possible. Labelling stock levels in your cleaning checklist helps cleaners avoid oversight. Restocking maintains consistency, saves time, and encourages positive guest feedback about thoughtfulness and organisation.
9. Final Inspection and Staging
After cleaning each area, perform a comprehensive walkthrough before leaving. Confirm all surfaces are dry, odour-free, and correctly staged. Test lighting, ventilation, and appliances. Ensure rubbish bins are empty and liners replaced.
Open curtains or blinds to let in natural light, spray a neutral room scent, and take timestamped photos for record-keeping. The final inspection safeguards your reputation by catching any overlooked detail — it transforms cleaning into quality assurance and prepares the space for the next seamless check-in.
10. Monthly Deep-Cleaning Schedule
Beyond turnovers, Airbnb properties require scheduled deep cleans to maintain durability and compliance. Every month, move furniture to vacuum underneath, clean behind appliances, and wash walls or baseboards. Steam carpets, wash curtains, and descale showerheads.
Clean outdoor areas, BBQs, and balcony railings, removing cobwebs or debris. Rotate décor and inspect appliances for maintenance. This periodic reset ensures the property meets professional hygiene benchmarks while preventing long-term wear. Deep-cleaning builds confidence for hosts and comfort for guests alike — a key factor for high-performing Airbnb listings.
FAQs: Checklist for Airbnb House Cleaning
Before the most common host questions, one reminder: the above checklist is a baseline. Adjust frequency by occupancy, pet policies, and seasonality, and document each turnover to stay audit-ready.
How to efficiently clean an Airbnb between guests?
Efficiency starts with standardisation. Use a single, room-ordered checklist; colour-coded tools; and pre-bundled linen sets per bed size. Launch laundry first to reduce idle time. Work high-to-low and dry-to-wet so dust never falls onto freshly mopped floors. Keep two caddies (wet areas/dry areas) to minimise walking, and place spare bin liners at the base of every bin for instant changeovers. Finish with a five-minute quality sweep: mirrors, handles, bins, bed presentation, scent. Document with photos inside your cleaning app (Turno/Properly) for proof and training.
What cleaning products are safe for all surfaces in a rental?
Choose a pH-neutral multi-surface detergent for benchtops, timber, and stone; a food-safe sanitiser for kitchen contact points; a non-chlorine bathroom disinfectant for taps and ceramics; and an alcohol glass cleaner for mirrors and screens. Where possible, select TGA-approved sanitisers for compliance and guest safety. Avoid abrasive powders on stone or glass, and test any descaler in an inconspicuous spot. Pair chemicals with microfibre cloths and follow manufacturer dwell times to achieve actual disinfection, not just “wipe and hope.”
Sanitisation vs disinfection for vacation rentals — what’s the difference?
Sanitisation reduces the microbial load to a safer level; disinfection inactivates a broader spectrum of pathogens when used at the correct concentration and contact time. In practice, rentals should be cleaned with detergent first to remove biofilm, then disinfect high-touch surfaces (handles, switches, remotes, taps) with a product documented to kill common bacteria and viruses. Kitchens need food-safe sanitisers; bathrooms benefit from periodic descaling before disinfection. Recording product names, batch numbers, and dwell times strengthens quality assurance and protects hosts during complaints.
What is a time-saving cleaning checklist for busy Airbnb hosts?
A workable format is a one-page, left-to-right flow per room with tick boxes and time targets: Kitchen (12–15 mins), Bathroom (15–18), Bedrooms (10 each), Living (10), Floors (8), Staging/Photos (5). Print, laminate, and issue to cleaners; collect completed sheets in a folder or app. The value is less about the paper and more about cadence — everyone works the same way, at the same speed, with measurable outputs and no guesswork.
How to automate an Airbnb cleaning schedule?
Connect your Airbnb calendar to a cleaning platform such as Turno or Properly. These tools create jobs automatically at checkout, assign cleaners, send reminders, and request photo proof. Add supply thresholds (e.g., paper towel < 2 rolls triggers a reorder) and create templates for regular deep cleans (every 4–6 weeks). Automation reduces missed turnovers, standardises evidence, and provides an audit trail useful for Superhost appeals and insurance.
What is the cost of professional Airbnb cleaning services?
Pricing varies by property size, laundry scope, and speed requirements. In metro Australian markets, expect ranges such as: studios $90–$130, 1-bed $120–$170, 2-bed $160–$220, 3-bed $220–$320+, plus linen fees if outsourced per kilo or per set. Costs reflect labour, chemicals, insurance, travel, and admin. Value is found in consistency: fewer re-cleans, faster turnovers, better reviews, and less host time spent coordinating. Request itemised quotes that separate cleaning, laundry, restocking, and deep-clean add-ons.
What goes in an eco-friendly Airbnb cleaning checklist?
Keep the structure identical but swap inputs: biodegradable detergents, plant-based sanitisers with proven efficacy, and reusable microfibre systems. Add waste sorting (recycling, compost if applicable), refill stations for bulk products, and fragrance-free options for sensitive guests. Communicate your green routine in the listing and house manual; many travellers filter for sustainability and will reward credible efforts with repeat bookings and stronger reviews.
How should hosts manage laundry turnover efficiently?
Hold at least two complete linen sets per bed plus spare towels. Sort at source (whites/colours) and start the first cycle on arrival. Use warm or hot water as the fabric allows, add a sanitising booster, and dry fully to avoid mildew. Clean lint filters each cycle and run a monthly machine maintenance wash. If time windows are tight, outsource linen to a laundry partner that delivers vacuum-sealed sets ready to stage.
Conclusion
A reliable Airbnb house cleaning checklist transforms short-term rental upkeep into a repeatable system. Each of these 10 cleaning points — from preparation and disinfection to staging and monthly deep cleans — ensures consistent hygiene, safety, and guest satisfaction.
For professional Airbnb cleaning in Sydney, Everyday Clean provides eco-friendly, TGA-approved cleaning services tailored to short-term rentals. The team follows strict checklists and quality audits to deliver spotless, guest-ready results every time.
Author: Everyday Clean Content Team
Everyday Clean is Sydney’s trusted provider of commercial and short-term rental cleaning. Our licensed professionals use eco-friendly, compliant products and detailed workflows to keep offices, gyms, schools, and Airbnb properties safe, hygienic, and 5-star ready.
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