The Airbnb Cleaning Guide for Hosts
A while back, my local house cleaning service started receiving countless calls, asking for assistance with Airbnb turnover cleanings.
The calls went something like this: we’d talk about rates, minimum charge, and a service overview. While the idea of outsourcing turnover cleanings sounded appealing to hosts, almost every call ended with them choosing to compare rates with other services OR choosing to do the cleanings themselves.
The reality is, your Airbnb is more profitable when you clean it yourself.
Unless you host multiple properties, have a higher price point, or host long term stays, you're likely doing the cleaning yourself, to turn a profit. Personally, I’ve hosted Airbnb spaces and this too has been the conclusion I’ve come to.
It’s great to have a cleaning service on speed dial for the moments you’re out of town, are sick, or simply need the extra help. I highly recommend that you hire a company that specializes in vacation rental turnover cleanings (when/if you do outsource the cleanings). They’ll have a specific cleaning process that will meet most or all of your needs.
Now, you’re likely here reading this to maintain a 5 star rating AND create a beautiful, clean, and ambient space for your guests. If that’s you, you’re in the right place! Read through to learn these tried and true cleaning processes from The Tidy People, so that you can effectively and efficiently turnover your Airbnb. You’ll need:
#1: the right cleaning supplies and tools
Try sourcing the same cleaning products on a rolling basis. This will create a solid cleaning system for your Airbnb or vacation rental. This will remove some of the decision fatigue in sourcing your products. A refillable system that uses reusable bottles is ideal. These 5 products by The Tidy People gives you every cleaning product you need, to clean an entire space.
The refills take up minimal space and can easily be stored out of the way, hidden from guests.
#2: a clear and easy step-by-step process to follow
A printed cleaning checklist placed inside of a page protector, paired with a dry erase marker allows you to have consistency in your cleaning routine….and you’ll never miss a thing! Restocking and cleaning your vacation rental becomes so much easier when you remove that pressure of trying to remember everything, top of mind. Especially as a busy host that manages other aspects of your listing, this can create great peace of mind.
Also, this makes things easier for when you DO outsource cleanings. It creates a clear communication system with your cleaners when you have an easy step-by-step process to follow.
#3 schedule re-stocking tasks on the calendar
Regardless of whether you need to refill or restock certain toiletries or cleaning supplies in your vacation rental, having a recurring task on the calendar will give you the time and space (and a reminder!) to check on things to ensure you never run out of essentials.
#4: extra sets of linens such as sheets, towels, and bathmats
Keep an extra set (or two) of linens for your vacation rental so that you can buy yourself more time during your turnover cleanings. This will cut back on idle time, so that you can get in and out of the space quickly.
