Airbnb Cleaning Checklist with Printable Version

Being a successful business manager means you’re hard-working, forward-thinking, organized, and willing to try new things. Ensuring the rental property is cleaned and sanitized after each guest is one of your biggest responsibilities. If you’re eager to take the job on yourself, the professional cleaners at MaidThis have put together a free printable Airbnb cleaning checklist to make it easier.

One tip you might not know about is working from top to bottom to avoid dirtying freshly cleaned areas. For example, clear cobwebs from ceiling corners before dusting lower furniture tops. And while cleaning those high areas, keep your mouth closed — you can imagine why! Another tip is task stacking to save time and energy. Have multiple jobs in progress at the same time. A good example is doing laundry, running the dishwasher, or soaking bathroom grout while you work on something else.

Airbnb Cleaning Supplies

Professional cleaners usually carry their favorite cleaning products in a sturdy tote or bucket so everything is handy in one place. That’s also a good way to keep track of supplies so you can order what needs to be replaced before the next job. Here’s a basic supplies/equipment cleaning checklist for Airbnb and rental properties:

• Protection: Bring gloves to protect your hands and masks to prevent inhaling cleaning vapors and stirred-up dust particles.
• Microfiber cloths and/or paper towels: If you’re concerned about the environment, use microfiber sheets instead of paper towels or sponges. Due to their composition, they’re highly absorbent and remove 99% of surface bacteria. Washed alone in cold water, they can last 5-10 years. The newest types are made from recycled and recyclable plastic.
• All-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner: By the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) definition, cleaning refers to removing dirt and organic material. When choosing all-purpose cleaners, you’ll want to assess their safety for people, pets, and the environment. Don’t assume that all cleaners made from natural or plant-based ingredients are automatically safe. At the same time, not all synthetic chemical cleaners are harmful. Using a cleaner full-strength or diluted with water makes a big difference. To be effective, a good cleaner must rinse well without leaving streaks and residue. Some types of surfaces are damaged by improper cleaning. Finally, the frequency of cleaning can matter as much as the type of cleaner.
• Furniture and upholstery cleaners: Use liquids or pump sprays rather than aerosols. Aerosol solvents and propellant chemicals often cause neurological harm to the body over time. An added danger is the risk of the pressurized metal cans exploding when overheated, punctured, or even shaken.
• Sanitizer and disinfectant: The EPA defines sanitizing as chemically reducing surface bacteria. Disinfecting also kills viruses. Sanitizing is good for everyday surfaces that aren’t exposed to hazardous bacteria. Disinfecting involves harsher chemicals targeting body fluids and medical materials.
• Scrub pads and brushes of different sizes and bristle hardness
• Toilet brush
• Microfiber dusters with a handle extender
• Microfiber mop: Can be used for walls as needed
• Broom and dustpan
• Vacuum cleaner with attachments and bags

Using Your Cleaning Checklist

Why use a checklist at all when cleaning should be a no-brainer? Because cleaning definitely requires brains! Using a checklist helps you stay organized and in control. By prioritizing what’s most important, it helps you maintain focus. You’re more able to notice details you might otherwise miss.

While the checklist suggests specific tasks for each part of the residence, you’ll also want to stay alert for anything your guests might notice: stickiness, loose screws, strong odors, cobwebs, mold, stains, or mystery crud. You want your guests to feel as though nobody else has ever stayed in the special place you’re offering them.

Keep in mind that other non-paying Earthlings such as ants, roaches, mice, fungus, and bacteria want what your guests have. They look for comfortable, safe spaces with food, water, and room for their families. Don’t give it to them.

A final thought: Keep in mind while you’re cleaning that many people have allergies and sensitivities to strong odors due to medical reasons.

Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

Start Out Right by Task Stacking

Open windows to replace stale air with fresh air. Begin laundering bedding, towels & washcloths, dish towels, potholders, tablecloths, throw rugs, curtains, etc. If you have a dishwasher, get it running. Do a walk-through to inspect for damage & items guests have left behind, making any notes in the last section of the checklist.

Entryways

Living Room

Kitchen

Bathroom

Bedrooms

Balconies, Porches, & Other Outdoor Areas

Off-Season Cleaning Checklist

Each rental is different depending on its size, age, the number of guests, the amount of activity each season, and other factors. Some areas need more attention more often than others. Here’s a suggested off-season cleaning checklist for Airbnb properties:

• Deep cleaning once or twice a year
• Having heavy draperies professionally cleaned
• Special projects and extreme cleaning as needed
• Having your dryer vent system professionally cleaned once a year
• Changing HVAC filters every 1-6 months depending on the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating; higher MERV values mean more efficient filtering but more frequent filter changes; talk to your HVAC specialist for the best MERV recommendation depending on the type and age of the system your property uses
• Cleaning air vent covers
• Changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide batteries twice a year
• Dusting and wiping down fans
• Cleaning windows, frames, ledges, inside and out, and blinds and awnings
• Cleaning the oven, oven drawers, and hood
• Sweeping under and behind large furniture and appliances

What else can you think of?

Make Cleaning Simple With MaidThis Los Angeles

If you’ve chosen to take charge of your rental property cleaning and use our printable cleaning schedule, you deserve kudos for your hard work! It’s okay to ask for help, though. Getting turnover cleaning services from professionals like MaidThis in Los Angeles saves you time and energy for other important things in your life.

Booking service is quick and easy, either by phone or online. You can explore custom jobs or choose the package that meets your needs. The online app links your calendar with ours so cleaning is automatically scheduled when guests leave. You can also view photos and generate reports on supplies and damage.

Every cleaner has passed our background checks and five-step screening process. You get the best of the best, guaranteed to show up and do a thorough job every time. Our job is to make your job as streamlined as can be. Regular cleaning is one of the most valuable secrets you’ll ever get from the pros. When you don’t have time for it, let MaidThis help. Got questions? Got comments? We’re here for you!