What is an Airbnb Cleaning Checklist?
With the whole world dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, cleanliness is even more crucial. Experts in infectious diseases are leaning towards private rentals like Airbnb because they’re seen as a safer option for travel. That’s because there’s less person-to-person contact compared to hotels.
Airbnb is on board with this, too, and has introduced a new ‘Enhanced Cleaning’ policy. It gives hosts guidelines on how to keep their places spick and span. Whether you’re doing the cleaning yourself or getting pros to do it, having a checklist is always a smart move. It helps you quickly go through everything and make sure everything’s just perfect.
An Airbnb house cleaning requirement is like a to-do list, either on paper or online, that guides hosts or cleaning services on what needs to be done between guests’ stays.
Airbnb Cleaning Checklist: Cleaning Plan Must-Have
As mentioned earlier, guests consistently evaluate the cleanliness of a place and often leave comments on Airbnb.
Putting extra effort into cleaning is highly recommended to avoid dealing with negative reviews that can consume a lot of your time and resources. Airbnb allows you to charge a separate Airbnb Cleaning Fee to help cover your cleaning costs.
Here’s a checklist of essential cleaning tasks for your Airbnb, ensuring a thorough job for each guest:
- Inspect and Clear: Go through your rental and remove any items left behind by previous guests.
- Linen Change: Change the bed linens, wash the used ones, and make the beds.
- Kitchen Cleanup: Clean the kitchen thoroughly, ensuring everything is stowed away neatly.
- Dusting and Wiping: Dust and wipe down every surface in the house to eliminate any accumulated grime.
- Floor Maintenance: Clean the floors and vacuum carpets, rugs, and mats.
- Bathroom Scrub: Scrub and sanitize toilets, bathtubs, and showers.
- Focus on Touchpoints: Pay attention to high-touch areas like countertops, door handles, and light switches.
- Trash Disposal: Dispose of all trash and clean the dustbins.
- Amenity Restocking: Replenish promised amenities such as coffee, trash bags, paper towels, and hand soap.
- Clear Surfaces: Clean transparent and reflective surfaces for a polished look.
- Germ-prone Area Disinfection: Disinfect areas prone to germs to ensure a hygienic environment.
- Final Touches: Add the finishing touches to enhance the welcoming feel of the space before leaving.
What to Include in Airbnb Cleaning Supplies
If you’re taking on the cleaning duties yourself, here’s a list of must-have cleaning products for your Airbnb:
- A reliable vacuum cleaner
- Plenty of microfiber cloths
- A handy microfiber mop
- Glass cleaner
- Wood cleaner and polish for that fresh furniture look
- All-purpose cleaner and disinfectant
- Dishwashing soap
- Shower cleaner
- A trusty toilet brush
- Disinfectant for germ-prone areas
- A sturdy scrubbing brush
- Scrub pads
- Sponges
- Detergent
This is a basic list, so feel free to add more products based on the specific needs of your vacation home. Happy cleaning!
Cleaning Checklist
Even though you’ve got the basics down for cleaning your Airbnb, each room has its unique needs. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list to guide you on what to focus on in every part of your property.
Cleaning Kitchens
The kitchen is a key attraction for guests in Airbnb vacation rentals, providing them with the convenience of cooking their own meals. A well-equipped kitchen not only enhances guest satisfaction but also plays a significant role in your Airbnb pricing strategy. Here’s a kitchen-specific checklist to ensure your vacation home is in top shape:
- Disinfect all surfaces where food is prepared.
- Wipe down appliances, worktops, drawers, and cupboards with a disinfectant.
- Scrub all utensils, even those unused by previous guests.
- Ensure a clean stove.
- Clean hoods and vents.
- Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the microwave.
- Empty and clean the refrigerator.
- Clean the sink and sink drain.
- Discard any leftover food.
- Replace the trash bag and clear the trash.
- Wipe windows and mop the floors.
Cleaning Bathroom
The bathroom is a critical area for guest satisfaction. A sparkling clean and odor-free bathroom can significantly impact your Airbnb reviews. Here’s what you should focus on:
- Sanitize the toilet.
- Clean the sink and mirrors until they shine.
- Spot clean the shower.
- Scrub the glass shower screen.
- Unclog and clean drain holes.
- Replace trash bags and take out the trash.
Cleaning Living Room
Moving on to the living room, a space often heavily used by guests, it requires special attention to create an inviting atmosphere:
- Wipe down all surfaces.
- Polish wooden furniture.
- Disinfect light switches and remotes.
- Vacuum all sofas.
- Clean under furniture thoroughly.
- Mop hard-surface floors.
- Vacuum rugs and mats.
- Check for and remove any cobwebs.
- Wipe windows.
- Dust baseboards and moldings.
Cleaning Bedroom
The bedroom is a sanctuary where guests unwind and recharge after their travels. As a thoughtful host, providing a clean and inviting bedroom is crucial for ensuring your guests enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Here’s a checklist to help you maintain a pristine bedroom:
- Change the linens with fresh ones.
- Empty the bins.
- Dust all surfaces.
- Wipe windows and mirrors.
- Disinfect light switches, doorknobs, and remotes.
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Remove any cobwebs.
- Ensure dressers and closets are empty.
- Polish all wooden surfaces.
- Clean under the bed.
- Vacuum the mattress and hard-to-reach corners.
- Clean the floor.
- Fluff pillows and cushions.
- Periodically clean the curtains.
- Vacuum rugs and carpets.
Cleaning Utility Room
Utility rooms, including laundry rooms, may not see much foot traffic, but they’re essential to include in your Airbnb cleaning checklist. Here’s what to focus on:
- Clean the dryer for any trash or lint build-up.
- Wipe down the washer and dryer inside and out.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like knobs, buttons, and doors.
- Shine the sink and clear out the drain.
- Clean windows and blinds if present.
- Restock supplies like laundry detergent and softener.
- Clean laundry baskets and drying racks.
- Dust baseboards and moldings.
- Clean the floors.
- Vacuum rugs and mats.
- Ensure there is no waterlogging.
Re-Stock
Restocking essential items is a considerate touch for a pleasant guest experience. Here’s a list of commonly provided items:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Paper towels
- Toilet rolls
- Bin liners
- Garbage bags
- Dish soap
- Sponges
- Facial tissues
- Hand soap
- Toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion.
Some Finishing Touches
Adding thoughtful finishing touches can transform your accommodation into a welcoming haven for your guests, making them feel at home. These touches can also influence pricing your vacation rental based on the services provided. Here are some final enhancements to consider before your guests arrive:
Outdoor Areas:
If you have outdoor spaces like porches or balconies, ensure they are thoroughly cleaned from dust, debris, and leaves. Tidy up to create a positive first impression for your guests.
Interior Touches:
Plump up cushions, straighten rugs, arrange decor items, and leave out guest information booklets. Redraw blinds and curtains for a polished look.
Extra Mile Gestures:
If you like to go the extra mile for your guests, whether it’s complimentary chocolates, wine, flowers, bread & cheese, or vouchers, ensure everything is neatly arranged. If you have a welcome board, set it up with the guests’ names for a personal touch.
These finishing touches enhance the overall experience for your guests and contribute to the charm and appeal of your vacation rental. It’s a thoughtful way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making your guests’ stay truly memorable.
Airbnb Cleaning Checklist PDF
To simplify your turnover cleaning process, make use of our downloadable PDF containing a sample checklist tailored for hosts and cleaners. This printable Airbnb checklist template is categorized by room, ensuring an easy and thorough cleaning routine with just a few clicks. Download, print, and streamline your cleaning tasks effortlessly.
Hire a Cleaning Crew
Hiring a cleaning crew for your Airbnb property ensures a consistently pristine and welcoming space for guests. Professional cleaners bring expertise, efficiency, and attention to detail, enhancing the overall guest experience. Their specialized services streamline turnover between bookings, guaranteeing a thorough and reliable cleaning routine. This not only saves time for hosts but also contributes to positive guest reviews and increased bookings. Additionally, a cleaning crew helps maintain a high standard of cleanliness, addressing potential issues promptly and creating a positive first impression for every guest, ultimately boosting the success and reputation of your Airbnb property.
Conclusion
Maintaining the cleanliness of your short-term rental is paramount, especially in the era of heightened guest concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To meet the expectations of your guests and ensure your property rivals high-end hotels, a meticulous cleaning routine is essential.
As bookings increase, managing this task can become overwhelming. Establishing a swift cleaning protocol or having professional cleaners readily available is advisable. Utilize this airbnb cleaning checklist template to prepare your space for guests efficiently. By systematically checking off each item, you can guarantee a pristine property, minimizing the likelihood of cleanliness-related complaints from your guests.
