The Ultimate Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Checklist | Your Total Clean
The Ultimate Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Checklist
by Your Total Clean — because spotless stays create five-star reviews.
🧹 Quick Action Cleaner Checklist
This is the simplified version our cleaners use during every Airbnb turnover. Every box gets checked before leaving the property.
1. Report Issues
- ☐ Take photos/videos only if there’s a problem (damage, stains, excessive dirt, guest items).
- ☐ Message leadership before continuing.
2. Laundry (Towels First)
- ☐ Gather all dirty items.
- ☐ Start towels first so they can air dry while bedding washes.
- ☐ Use fans if needed for faster air dry.
- ☐ Begin bedding and linens next.
3. Cleaning by Type
- ☐ Electronics: Microfiber only, no sprays.
- ☐ Blue (Glass): Mirrors, glass, microwave, fridge interior.
- ☐ Yellow (All Purpose): Flat surfaces, counters, outdoor grill.
- ☐ White (Bleach): TTSS (tubs, toilets, sinks, showers).
- ☐ Grey (Stainless): Wipe with grain, buff dry.
4. Trash
- ☐ Empty all bins and replace liners.
- ☐ Take trash/recycling outside.
5. Kitchen
- ☐ Wash or load dishes.
- ☐ Clean coffee makers, toaster, microwave.
- ☐ Wipe counters and restock coffee/snacks.
6. Bathrooms
- ☐ Restock soap, shampoo, TP, towels.
- ☐ Fold towels neatly and dry surfaces.
7. Bedrooms
- ☐ Make beds (hotel-style).
- ☐ Check under/around furniture.
- ☐ Spray fabric refresher.
8. Floors
- ☐ Vacuum all carpets/rugs.
- ☐ Mop all hard floors.
9. Verify
- ☐ Match client checklist.
- ☐ Confirm lights, thermostat, and windows.
10. Live Video Checkout
- ☐ Conduct FaceTime walkthrough with management for approval.
🏠 Owner & Training Version — How We Think, Not Just What We Do
This section trains cleaners to reason like pros. Each step includes purpose, how to think, what to do, and decision points so owners see that Your Total Clean teaches judgment, not just motions.
1) Report Damage, Personal Items, or Excessive Dirtiness (Issue-Only Evidence)
Purpose: Protect the owner, document liability, and prevent disputes.
How to think: “Could this affect safety, function, or the guest’s experience?” If yes, document before touching.
- ☐ Record only if there’s an issue: damage, staining, excessive dirt, or guest belongings.
- ☐ Take 2–4 clear photos (wide → close-up). Short video only if movement/function matters (e.g., broken hinge).
- ☐ Message leadership with: unit, room, what/where, severity, and whether turnover can proceed.
2) Laundry Strategy — Towels First, Then Bedding (Air-Assist + Finish Dry)
Purpose: Hit checkout deadlines by overlapping dry times while preserving fabric quality.
How to think: Towels are the throughput bottleneck. Get them drying early so beds can stage on-time.
- ☐ Gather all dirty items. Start towels first.
- ☐ While bedding washes, hang towels to air-dry with fans on; return for a 10–15 min finish in dryer.
- ☐ Begin bedding next. Clean lint trap each cycle for faster drying.
- ☐ Stain triage: Treat visible stains immediately (dab, don’t rub). If two passes fail → bag, label “Replace/Soak,” and notify leadership.
3) Surface Cleaning by Type — Cleanest to Dirtiest, Top to Bottom
Purpose: Prevent rework and cross-contamination while delivering a consistent shine.
How to think: Order beats effort: top → middle → bottom, cleanest → dirtiest, dry dust → wet clean.
| Cleaner | Color | Use On | Thinking & Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | — | TVs, remotes, switches | Microfiber only; never spray directly. Oils show on remotes—finish with a dry buff. |
| Glass Cleaner | Blue | Mirrors, windows, glass doors, fridge & microwave interior | Two-pass: clean → polish. Inspect from 45° angle for streaks. |
| All Purpose | Yellow | Counters, tables, grill, cabinets | Spray on rag near outlets. Edges/backsplashes trap crumbs—wipe perimeter first. |
| Bleach Solution (TTSS) | White | Tubs, Toilets, Sinks, Showers | Apply, let dwell 2–3 min, then wipe. Rinse contact points guests touch (handles, seats). |
| Stainless Steel | Grey | Appliances, faucets, handles | With the grain → light buff dry. Final fingerprint check from a side angle. |
4) Trash & Odor Control — Remove, Replace, Review
Purpose: Eliminate odors and hidden mess that tanks reviews.
How to think: If you can smell it, guests will mention it. Hunt for “invisible trash.”
- ☐ Empty all bins (kitchen, baths, bedrooms, desk, patio). Replace liners.
- ☐ Check hidden zones: under sinks, drawers, under beds/sofas, behind doors.
- ☐ Take trash/recycling to designated area; wipe bin rims and lids.
5) Kitchen Reset — Food-Safe, Photo-Ready, Guest-Intuitive
Purpose: Kitchens drive cleanliness perception. Tiny misses become big complaints.
How to think: Sanitary first, then symmetry. Stage like a product shot guests can use instantly.
- ☐ Wash or load and run dishwasher. Inspect for lipstick/oil residue on glassware.
- ☐ Clean coffee makers (brew head & plate), toaster crumb tray, microwave (top/ceiling).
- ☐ Disinfect handles, knobs, switches, fridge gasket edge.
- ☐ Wipe counters & backsplash; pull forward and wipe under caddies/appliance feet.
- ☐ Restock coffee/tea/condiments to par (owner standard). Face labels, align rows.
6) Bathroom Reset — Sanitize, De-Hair, De-Streak
Purpose: Bathrooms are the “truth serum” of cleaning quality.
How to think: Hair is the enemy; water marks are the fallback. Finish perfectly dry and polished.
- ☐ TTSS with dwell time. Rinse touch points. Dry all surfaces (water leaves spots).
- ☐ Lint-roll soft areas (mats) and hard-to-see corners for hairs.
- ☐ Polish mirrors and chrome. Check at angle for haze.
- ☐ Restock: soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, TP (par), tissues. Fold towels to standard.
7) Bedroom Reset — Sleep Experience Engineering
Purpose: Beds sell reviews. Wrinkles and lint undermine “freshness.”
How to think: Guests decide within 3 seconds if the bed feels hotel-grade.
- ☐ Make beds hotel-style: tight corners, centered pillows, even overhang. Lint-roll dark fabrics.
- ☐ Check mattress protector and pillow protectors are present and clean.
- ☐ Look under beds/nightstands for items; confirm outlets/lamps work.
- ☐ Light fabric refresher (1–2 sprays, never on pillows guests face directly).
8) Floors — Edges First, Exit Last
Purpose: Floors carry soil to every room; edges and corners reveal shortcuts.
How to think: Vacuum edges/under first, then broad areas; mop from far corner to exit.
- ☐ Vacuum rugs (both sides if sandy), edges, and under furniture lips.
- ☐ Mop hard floors with approved dilution; wring well to speed dry and avoid streaks.
- ☐ Final pass: scan for footprints, pet hair tumbleweeds, or mop lines.
9) Final Verification — Guest POV + Owner Standards
Purpose: Confirm the home tells the right story the moment the door opens.
How to think: Walk in like a new guest: look left-right-up-down. Does anything pull your eye?
- ☐ Cross-check the owner/client checklist (amenities, décor placement, par levels).
- ☐ Set thermostat, blinds/curtains, and lighting scene per standard.
- ☐ Stage: centered throws, parallel chairs, evenly spaced countertop items.
- ☐ Scent is neutral-clean, never perfumey. Briefly air out if needed.
10) Live Video Checkout — Real-Time Signoff
Purpose: Accountability, coaching, and peace of mind for owners.
How to think: This is a partnership moment. We confirm standards live and solve small issues on the spot.
- ☐ Initiate FaceTime with company management/ownership for a guided walk-through.
- ☐ Address any quick fixes immediately; note follow-ups if needed.
- ☐ Manager uses a separate checklist; cleaner participates and confirms completion of each zone.
📥 Download the Free Airbnb Turnover Checklist (PDF)
Get both versions of our checklist to train your own team or impress new property owners.
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