What should an Airbnb cleaning checklist include?

The basics

A turnover checklist makes every clean the same, whoever does it. Write it in the order the work happens, keep each item to one action and finish with a walk-through and a restock check. Then hand it to your cleaner and use it yourself when you fill in.

First 10 minutes

Before any cleaning starts:

1. Walk through every room and photograph the condition as you found it.
2. Look for damage, stains, missing items and anything left behind.
3. Open windows if the place needs air.
4. Strip all beds and start the first laundry load.
5. Collect trash from every room.
6. Note anything that needs the host: broken items, low supplies, maintenance.

Starting the laundry early is the biggest time saver on a tight turnover.

Bedrooms

• Make beds with fresh sheets and pillowcases. Check the mattress protector for stains.
• Dust nightstands, lamps, headboards and shelves.
• Check under beds and in drawers and closets for left items.
• Restock hangers, spare blankets and pillows.
• Vacuum or mop, including under the bed.

Bathrooms

• Clean and disinfect toilet, sink, shower and tub.
• Clean mirrors and fixtures.
• Remove hair from drains, floor and corners.
• Replace towels, washcloths and bath mats.
• Restock toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner.
• Empty trash and mop the floor.

Our bathroom checklist has the full list.

Kitchen

• Run or empty the dishwasher. Put every dish back where it belongs.
• Wipe counters, stovetop, appliance fronts and the microwave inside and out.
• Empty the fridge of guest food and wipe the shelves.
• Clean the sink and replace the sponge if needed.
• Restock coffee, dish soap, paper towels and trash bags.
• Empty trash and recycling, then mop.

See the kitchen checklist for a detailed version.

Living areas

• Dust surfaces, TV and remotes. Wipe remotes and light switches.
• Fluff and straighten cushions and throws.
• Check under cushions and furniture for left items.
• Clean glass doors and smudged windows.
• Vacuum rugs and mop floors.

Before you lock up

1. Walk through every room once more, as a guest would.
2. Check that all lights, the TV and the Wi-Fi work.
3. Set the thermostat to your standard setting.
4. Close and lock windows.
5. Take after photos of each room.
6. Reset the door code if your lock needs a manual change.
7. Lock up and report that the unit is ready.

Photo documentation for damage claims

If something is damaged, clear photos taken right after checkout make any claim much easier to support. Platforms usually set time limits and evidence requirements for claims, so check your platform's current rules.

Store photos in a folder per stay, named by date and guest, so you can find them later.

Restock list

Check these at every turnover and note anything running low:

• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Hand soap, dish soap and dishwasher detergent
• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
• Trash bags
• Coffee, tea, sugar and creamer
• Clean sheets, towels and a spare set
• Cleaning supplies for the next clean
• Batteries for remotes, smoke detectors and smart locks

The linen calculator tells you how many sheet and towel sets to keep. The turnover checklist builds a printable list from your own beds and bathrooms, with linen and restock counts for each room.