What is an Airbnb cleaning checklist?

An Airbnb cleaning checklist is a guide that helps Airbnb hosts clean and prepare their property in a way that creates a consistently welcoming space for guests.

Airbnb cleaning should be seen not as a chore, but an opportunity: it is perhaps the most critical factor in a guest’s first impression of your property, setting the tone for the rest of the stay.

Cleanliness has its own rating category within Airbnb, so consistent 5-star reviews for your cleaning can help to attract more guests, particularly those who appreciate a perfectly neat and tidy space. Ultimately cleanliness can equal more bookings and more revenue.

In this guide we’ll take a closer look at cleaning tips for Airbnb hosts, including an Airbnb checklist for cleaning your property in a high quality and consistent way.

Airbnb cleaning (and more) made a whole lot easier

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Why do hosts need an Airbnb cleaning list?

Doing a complete clean of a room, suite or apartment can be a surprisingly complex and time-consuming task. An Airbnb cleaning checklist document both simplifies and enhances the quality and efficiency of this important job.

Optimise operational efficiency

With a cleaning checklist, Airbnb hosts (or their cleaners) can bring greater consistency to cleaning efforts. A checklist ensures that every task is completed efficiently and in the right way. You can reduce errors, speed up room turnovers and maintain a high level of service even during your busiest periods.

Delegate with confidence and ease

Whether you clean the property yourself or you hire a cleaner, a standardised step-by-step checklist ensures consistent results, while also making the job easier to delegate, by reducing training time and keeping cleaners accountable.

Reduce costs while maintaining quality

Airbnb hosts tend to develop an efficient and effective approach to cleaning their properties over time, honed by trial and error. By putting that process down in writing, you can ensure everyone follows your lead and cleans in the most efficient and high quality way possible, which can reduce your cleaning costs while ensuring your high standards are maintained. Ultimately this process can save you money on both cleaning costs and property maintenance, by reducing long-term wear and tear.

Protect your reputation

Half of all negative feedback received by hotels is attributed to the readiness and cleanliness of rooms. Cleanliness tends to be the very first thing that guests notice. If that first impression is a less than ideal one, your Airbnb rating might suffer, which can affect your ability to promote yourself and secure bookings on the platform. Establishing an Airbnb cleaning checklist is a way to manage your reputation.

airbnb cleaning checklist

How an Airbnb host cleaning checklist can be a strategic business tool

Airbnb hosts have to wear a number of hats – they’re hoteliers, hosts, property managers, marketers, customer service providers, cleaners and more.

While ‘cleaner’ might feel like it sits lower on this list, it should actually be placed near the top, because this role is almost unmatched in terms of business impact, and in turn on your ability to secure more bookings and make more money.

A well-defined cleaning checklist isn’t just about keeping things neat and tidy. It’s about guest experience, reputation management, and saving time and money on laborious tasks so you can spend it on higher value, more strategic aspects of your business.

Cleaning checklist for Airbnb

Looking for an editable Airbnb cleaning checklist? Use the following Airbnb house cleaning checklist as the basis for your own template, which you can tweak based on your needs and the Airbnb amenities you offer.

Pre-cleaning preparation: Airbnb cleaning supplies list 

What supplies do you need in order to clean an Airbnb? Depending on your property, you may require the following:

Equipment

  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Mop and bucket
  • Broom and dustpan
  • Microfibre cloths
  • Cleaning brushes
  • Extendable duster
  • Scrubbing pads or sponges
  • Step stool or ladder (for hard-to-reach areas)
  • Window squeegee
  • Toilet brush

Consumables

  • All-purpose cleaning spray
  • Disinfectant spray or wipes
  • Glass cleaner
  • Floor cleaner
  • Bathroom cleaner (e.g. mould and limescale remover)
  • Furniture polish
  • Kitchen degreaser
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dishwashing liquid/tablets
  • Bin liners
  • Paper towels
  • Air freshener
  • Fabric stain remover
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Gloves (disposable or reusable)

Gather together the relevant equipment and tools from the lists above, ideally in a cart that you can roll from room to room.

Room-by-room breakdown: cleaning Airbnb checklist

Let’s get cleaning. It’s wise to start as close to check-out time as possible, to ensure you give yourself enough time should a particularly challenging clean arise. Open windows for ventilation, then work through the following areas of your Airbnb in an order that makes sense:

  • Living area: Dust all surfaces, vacuum upholstery and floors, and check under furniture for things that have been left behind. Ensure furniture, decor and remotes are neatly arranged.
  • Bedroom: Change all bedding, vacuum floors and wipe down surfaces. Pay special attention to mirrors and windows, removing all smudges.
  • Kitchen: Empty the bin, restock all supplies, and check for any leftover food or spills in cupboards and the fridge. Clean and put away dishes, neatly arranging all cups, cutlery and crockery. Clean countertops, appliances and sinks with a degreaser.
  • Bathroom: Disinfect all surfaces, scrub the toilet, and scrub the shower, bath and taps. Replace used toiletries and ensure towels are clean and neatly folded.
  • Outdoor spaces (if applicable): Sweep the area, wipe down furniture, and remove debris. Check for cobwebs, clean any outdoor bins and ensure everything looks tidy.

Final inspection

It’s wise to conduct a walkthrough after cleaning is complete, ideally by someone other than the cleaner. A fresh set of eyes will be far better at quality assurance than someone who has just completed the job and is keen to move onto the next task.

Restocking essentials

At the end of every day, check your levels of cleaning supplies and guest supplies (toiletries, bottled water, tea/coffee) and purchase or reorder anything that is running low.

FAQs on Airbnb cleaning checklist

How to clean Airbnb quickly?

Tips for cleaning your Airbnb efficiently include:

  • Start from the top: Dust and clean higher surfaces first to prevent dirt falling onto already-cleaned areas. Clean the floors last.
  • Use quick-drying products: Alcohol sprays for windows and surfaces can minimise waiting times.
  • Follow a workflow: Completely clean one room before moving to the next, to avoid backtracking.
  • Prepare supplies in a caddy: Save time retrieving and searching for items by placing them in a well-organised cleaning trolley.
  • Set a timer: This can help you stay on track and maintain a consistent pace.

Does Airbnb do daily cleaning?

What are the cleaning requirements for Airbnb? Cleaning frequency is up to you, the host. Some Airbnbs are serviced daily (particularly those offered by hotels), while others are only cleaned at check-out. Whatever your cadence, make it clear to guests before they book. It’s also wise to create a deep cleaning checklist for Airbnb that takes care of occasional cleaning tasks that need to be done every 3-6 months.

Should I expect guests to do some cleaning tasks?

While Airbnb guests can be more open to helping out hosts than a hotel guest might be, you should avoid asking too much, like creating a dedicated Airbnb cleaning checklist for guests. Light requests – doing the dishes, stripping the beds, taking out the bins – can be fine, especially if the guest stays for more than three days. But you need to be wary of getting the guest off-side, as they will be prompted to review you after their stay.

Ultimately if you give yourself access to the right technology, you may not have to ask for your guests’ help at all, as you’ll have more than enough time to take care of Airbnb cleaning. Case in point: Little Hotelier.

By Dean Elphick

Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).