The Airbnb turnover cleaning checklist: room by room

In short-stay hosting, a single missed detail can cost you a star. Guests forgive a lot, but not a hair in the shower, a stained towel or a bin that smells. The good news is that nearly all of it is preventable with a consistent turnover routine and a checklist that doesn't depend on whoever happens to be cleaning that day.

Why consistency beats effort

Most turnover problems come from variation, not laziness. One cleaner remembers to check under the bed; the next doesn't. One resets the bed exactly like your listing photos; the next improvises. A written, property-specific checklist removes the guesswork and makes the standard the same every time.

The turnover checklist

Bedrooms

• Strip all linen, including mattress protectors and pillow protectors
• Check mattress and pillows for stains and odours
• Remake with fresh linen, set to match your listing photos
• Dust surfaces, bedside tables and the tops of wardrobes
• Check under the bed and inside drawers for left-behind items
• Vacuum, including edges and under furniture

Bathrooms

• Clean and sanitise the toilet, including the base and behind it
• Scrub the shower, screen, tiles and drain; remove hair
• Descale taps and fittings, polish mirrors
• Replace towels, bath mat and any consumables
• Mop the floor and empty the bin

Kitchen

• Wipe benches, splashback, sink and taps
• Clean inside the microwave and wipe the oven and cooktop
• Empty and wipe the fridge; discard anything left behind
• Check the dishwasher is empty and clean; stock the essentials
• Count crockery and cutlery against your inventory

Living areas, entry and outdoors

• Dust and wipe all surfaces, remotes and switches
• Plump cushions and reset furniture to its marked positions
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Sweep the balcony or patio; wipe outdoor furniture
• Take out bins and recycling and replace the liners

Don't skip the check and the photos

A final walk-through with fresh eyes catches what the cleaning missed, and a photo record protects you. If a guest later disputes how the property was left, or you need to claim for damage, dated photos of each room right after the turnover are the strongest evidence you can have.

Linen and restocking

Linen logistics are where many hosts lose time. Decide whether you'll supply and launder your own, or have your cleaner arrange laundering, and keep at least two full sets per bed so a late checkout never delays the next arrival. Keep a simple restock list (toilet paper, soap, tea, coffee, dishwasher tablets) and top up every turn so you never run short mid-stay.

When to bring in a professional

If you turn over more than a couple of times a week, or you live far from the property, a professional turnover service pays for itself in reviews and in time. Look for a provider who works from a checklist, reports damage and low stock after each clean, and can cover same-day windows.

We run turnovers from a property-specific checklist and send a photo report after every clean. Tell us about your property and we'll set up a checklist around it.