At MaidThis we are big believers in checklists. By making sure our cleaners follow checklists, we ensure that nothing gets missed and each of our clients gets hotel-level cleanliness for each of their vacation rental locations. So in this article we want to provide some cleaning checklist basics for you to add your own property-specific details to.
Start with Equipment
Before we can clean, we need to make sure we have the right equipment to get our cleaning done. Make sure you have:
- A good vacuum for carpets (and vacuum bags if you’re not using a bagless)
- A microfiber mop for hardwood floors; brooms for harder to reach places
- Glass, wood, and all-purpose cleaner
- Dishwashing soap
- Foaming shower cleaner
- A scrubbing brush and several scrub pads for the stubborn dirt
Broad Strokes
Every turnover for your Airbnb should cover these areas:
- Inspecting the rooms and making sure any left-behind items are collected and the guests who are leaving are notified
- Changing sheets and towels; making beds
- Cleaning the kitchen and putting everything back into its proper place
- Dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming
- Wiping countertops, door handles, light switches
- Cleaning toilets, bathtubs, and showers
- Taking out the trash
- Restocking amenities
Of course, one final scan is a best practice not just for the guest checking out, but for the cleaning crew too.
Getting Specific
Kitchen
One way to show your guests your attention to detail is the cleaning of stoves, hoods, vents, microwaves, and fridges.
With perishable food, obviously that needs to be thrown out, but even with canned goods and the like, it’s not a best practice to just “leave everything in the pantry for the next guest.” Over time this can build up and look like a strange mess, which counterintuitively, now makes it less likely that a guest will use these items.
Make sure the canned goods are in some kind of order, but if you find open items, like sugar or flour, put them into some kind of labeled resealable container rather than in some sort of semi-open bag.
When the pantry gets full, that’s great. That’s something for your guests to take advantage of. But don’t ever let it get overfilled. Simply take the extra into your own house or to a local food bank.
Living Rooms
The attention to detail in the living room is going to be all about dusting. Make sure that wood furniture gets polished and make sure that baseboards and moldings (and ceiling fans) get dusted and any cobwebs get cleared out.
Don’t be lazy about cleaning under furniture either. Yes, it takes a little bit of trouble, but it will be appreciated by the guests, particularly if they have to move the couch for some reason and see that it’s clean. They’ll be grossed out if it isn’t, even if everything before then may have gone well.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are similar to living rooms, so they need the same attention to detail regarding dust and surfaces (don’t forget those ceiling fans!). Make sure windows are cleaned, furniture is polished, and vacuum under the bed.
Bathrooms
You can get everything above this right, but if a stray hair is found in the bathroom, a guest can (rightfully or wrongfully) be horrified by it and mark you down for cleanliness. Always check for those on your final scan.
Before then, make sure your tile surfaces and grout are as clean as possible.
Utility/Laundry Rooms
Not every property has these open to guests, but if they are, they need your attention.
- Make sure there is no trash or lint in the dryer
- Replenish supplies
- Make sure laundry baskets and racks are clean and ready for use
- Pay attention to the baseboards and molding
Remember dust is the enemy lurking everywhere, so clean that out here too.
This content originally appeared in our twice-monthly Guest Book Newsletter.
