Airbnb Cleaning Checklist For Professional Turnovers
An Airbnb turnover isn't a normal house clean. The standards are higher, the time window is tighter, and the host's review score depends on it. A consistent Airbnb cleaning checklist is what separates professionals from amateurs.
This is the checklist used by experienced UK short-term rental cleaners, in the order each task should be done.
Arrival (first 5 minutes)
- Photo every room as you found it.
- Note any damage or missing items, message the host immediately.
- Open windows to air the property.
- Strip all beds and start the first wash load.
Bathrooms
- Toilet, shower, taps, mirror, glass.
- Restock toilet roll (always +1 spare), shampoo, body wash, hand soap.
- Fresh towels folded hotel-style.
- Bin emptied, fresh liner.
- Hair check on floor and shower drain.
Kitchen
- Dishwasher emptied, all crockery put away.
- Hob, oven front, microwave, kettle, toaster wiped.
- Fridge interior wiped, all guest leftovers removed.
- Bin emptied and washed.
- Restock: tea, coffee, sugar, dishwasher tabs, washing-up liquid, sponge.
Bedrooms and living
- Beds made hotel-style with fresh linen.
- Surfaces dusted, including TV stand and skirting boards.
- Hoover everywhere, including under beds and sofas.
- Cushions plumped, throws straight.
- Set heating to host's standard temperature.
Final touches before leaving
- Smell check — no damp, no chemicals, no last guest.
- Welcome note on table, WiFi card visible.
- Lock all windows, close curtains as host prefers.
- Take 8–12 photos of finished property and send to host.
- Log keys returned / lockbox reset.
How long should an Airbnb turnover take?
Experienced solo cleaners complete a 1-bed turnover in 90–120 minutes including linen change, a 2-bed in 2–3 hours, and a 3-bed in 3–4 hours.
Use the checklist in your cleaning app
Load this checklist into CleanFlow as a customisable Airbnb checklist so every cleaner on your team hits the same standard. Add photo uploads at the end of each turnover and the host gets an automatic visual report.
Short term rental cleaning checklist
Short-term rental cleaning differs from end of tenancy in one key way: restock is as important as cleaning. Coffee, tea, toilet roll, soap, dishwasher tabs and a small welcome touch are what generate 5-star reviews, not just a spotless property.
Airbnb turnover photo report
Sending the host 8–12 timestamped photos after every turnover protects you against disputes, accelerates payment and almost always wins more properties. Most hosts will refer you to their host friends after the second flawless photo report.
Everything CleanFlow handles for you
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People also ask
Common related searches cleaning business owners run on Google.
What is included in an Airbnb turnover clean?+
Strip and remake beds with fresh linen, full bathroom and kitchen clean, restock toiletries and welcome supplies, hoover and mop, take out rubbish, check inventory, set heating and send the host a photo report.
How quickly do you need to clean between Airbnb guests?+
Standard turnover window is 4 hours (11am checkout to 3pm check-in). Experienced cleaners complete a 1-bed in 90–120 minutes including linen and restock.
Do Airbnb cleaners change the sheets?+
Yes, linen change is part of every Airbnb turnover. Most cleaners either wash on-site or rotate pre-laundered sets between properties.
What's the biggest reason for bad Airbnb reviews?+
Hair on beds and floors is the most common complaint, followed by missing or low consumables like toilet roll and coffee. A final torch sweep and restock check prevents both.
Frequently asked questions
How should I charge for an Airbnb turnover?
Always price per turnover, not per hour, and include linen change and consumables restock in the flat rate. Scale by property size, location and how tight the turnover window is.
How long does an Airbnb clean take?
A 1-bed turnover takes 90–120 minutes, a 2-bed 2–3 hours, a 3-bed 3–4 hours, including linen change and restocking but excluding heavy laundry.
Do Airbnb cleaners do the laundry?
Usually yes — either on-site during the turnover or by swapping for pre-laundered sets. Larger operators run laundry off-site to speed up turnovers.
What's the most common reason for Airbnb cleaning complaints?
Hair (in beds, bathrooms, and on floors) is the number one Airbnb cleaning complaint. A final lint-roller and torch sweep prevents almost all of them.
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