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A sparkling clean property isn’t just about making a good first impression—it’s the backbone of a successful Airbnb business.
It’s one of the biggest factors in getting five-star reviews and repeat bookings. Guests notice every detail, and reviews often hinge on cleanliness.
Over the years of hosting, I’ve learned that the secret to consistent cleanliness isn’t just scrubbing harder; it’s about working smarter. That means having the right systems in place, training your cleaners well, and using hacks that save time without sacrificing quality. Here’s my collection of the best cleaning hacks that have made managing turnovers faster, easier, and more consistent.
1. Have a Rock-Solid Cleaning Checklist
One of the most important tools in my hosting arsenal is a well-organized cleaning checklist. Relying on memory is a fast way to miss details, especially on busy back-to-back booking days.
I keep both a daily turnover checklist and a monthly deep clean list in a shared Google Sheet, so my cleaners can check off tasks in real-time. This keeps everyone accountable and ensures that nothing, from wiping the baseboards to restocking coffee pods, gets overlooked. I also incorporate this into Turno, which I use regularly to manage my cleaner’s calendar.
2. Train Cleaners for “Hotel-Level” Details
Even the most skilled cleaner needs to understand the unique expectations of short-term rentals. I always walk new cleaners through the property and point out Airbnb-specific touches, such as ensuring the coffee station is restocked and that remotes are wiped down.
I also request photo proof after each cleaning so I can confirm quality from afar. Hiring cleaners who already work in short-term rentals can be a huge advantage as they know the high standards and work efficiently to meet them.
3. Stock Duplicate Sets of Everything
One of my biggest time-saving hacks is keeping at least two complete sets of linens, towels, and comforters.
This means turnovers can happen without waiting for laundry to finish, and it also reduces wear and tear since each set gets more time to rest between uses. It’s an upfront investment that pays off in faster turnovers and longer-lasting linens.
4. Use Staging Photos to Guide Cleaners
Consistency is key for guest satisfaction, and staging photos helps make it happen. After a perfect setup, I take clear photos of every room. Photos might include the bed made just right, towels folded neatly, pillows fluffed, and amenities arranged.
My cleaners use these images as a visual guide, ensuring that each turnover looks exactly the same, regardless of who is doing the work. This is especially helpful when training new team members.
5. Don’t Forget the High-Touch Spots
The areas guests touch the most are often the ones that show dirt first. I make sure my cleaners pay special attention to high-touch spots like light switches, door handles, TV remotes, appliance handles, and thermostat screens. These areas are included as a dedicated section in my checklist, which helps maintain a spotless feel throughout the property.
6. Sweep Under the Bed
It’s amazing how often under-the-bed cleaning gets overlooked, even by otherwise thorough cleaners. Guests might not think to check under there until something rolls out, like a previous guest’s sock, a dust bunny, or worse. I’ve found that hair, dust, and small debris tend to collect quickly in these hidden spots, especially in high-turnover short-term rentals.
That’s why I make a point to highlight it in my cleaning checklist and even remind my cleaners during walk-throughs. A quick sweep or vacuum under the bed only takes a minute, but it goes a long way in showing guests your property is spotless from top to bottom.
7. Freshen the Air Without Overpowering
Nothing says “clean” like a fresh, neutral scent—but it’s easy to go overboard, and not all guests will appreciate it. Some people are sensitive to smells, and certain air fresheners can contain chemicals that may trigger allergies or headaches.
I prefer to keep things subtle by opening windows during cleaning, using unscented or lightly scented cleaners, and placing discreet, non-toxic air fresheners in high-traffic areas. This creates a pleasant environment that neither overwhelms guests nor compromises their comfort. When in doubt, choose natural or hypoallergenic options and use them sparingly so the space smells fresh without feeling artificially perfumed.
8. Outsmart Last-Minute Supply Shortages
Few things slow down a turnover more than running out of toilet paper, trash bags, or cleaning products in the middle of a clean. I use my Google Sheet inventory tracker to monitor supplies and restock on a set schedule. For last-minute needs, I rely on Amazon Prime and Walmart+ for fast deliveries, allowing me to quickly obtain replacements at the property without having to be present in person.
9. Build in Mini Deep-Cleans
Instead of letting grime build up for a quarterly deep-clean marathon, I rotate small deep-cleaning tasks into every turnover. One week it might be wiping baseboards in a specific room, the next week cleaning the oven racks, and another week washing throw pillow covers. This keeps the property in near-deep-clean condition year-round and makes actual deep cleans much less daunting.
10. Have a Back-Up Cleaner List
Even the best cleaners can’t be available 100% of the time. I always keep at least two reliable backup cleaners in my contacts so I can call them in when my main cleaner is unavailable. Having backups prevents stressful last-minute scrambles and ensures that guests always arrive at a spotless space.
11. My Quick-Grab Airbnb Cleaning Kit
Over time, I’ve narrowed my must-have cleaning tools down to a small but powerful list: microfiber cloths for streak-free dusting and polishing, Magic Erasers for scuffs, an extendable duster for ceiling fans and corners, disinfectant spray and wipes for sanitizing, a lint roller for removing hair from furniture and the bed, bissell upholstery cleaner for quick stain cleaning and a vacuum-mop combo tool to handle floors quickly.
12. Keep a Locked “Owner’s Closet”
A small locked closet or cabinet stocked with spare supplies, extra décor items, small appliances, and tools is a must. I can’t stress how important this is. If something breaks or goes missing, cleaners can replace it immediately without waiting for shipping.
13. Use Mattress and Pillow Protectors
Mattress encasements and protectors, as well as pillow protectors, save hours of cleaning and extend the life of your bedding. They shield against spills, stains, and even bed bugs, and can be washed between guests just like sheets.
14. Label Shelves and Storage Spaces
Labeling kitchen shelves, pantry spaces, and linen closets ensures everything is returned to its proper place. This helps cleaners stage the property consistently and keeps the layout guest-ready.
15. Keep a “Last-Minute Guest Kit”
Having a kit with spare essentials, like a coffee maker, hair dryer, or iron, means you can quickly swap in replacements if something breaks right before a guest arrives, avoiding a bad review.
16. Use a Lint Roller on Furniture and Décor
A lint roller is faster than vacuuming for picking up hair, lint, or crumbs from couches, throw pillows, and even lamp shades. It’s a quick final step that makes upholstery look pristine.
17. Keep a “Quick Reset” Kit in the Laundry Room
A small basket stocked with spare light bulbs, remote control batteries, and touch-up paint can help cleaners handle small fixes on the spot without making supply runs.
18. Hire Cleaners Who Can Take On Extra Tasks
A cleaner can also be a valuable extra set of hands for small but important jobs outside their standard cleaning checklist. I’ve found it’s worth asking cleaners if they’re open to occasional tasks, such as restocking consumables, setting keyless lock codes, or changing batteries. They may also be willing to receive and put away deliveries or swap out broken items for spares you’ve left on-site.
These are the kinds of things that can keep a turnover running smoothly without requiring a handyman or your physical presence. I always make it clear that these tasks are billed separately at their hourly rate so they feel respected and fairly compensated.
19. Keep Dawn Dish Soap on Hand for Quick Fixes
Dawn dish soap is one of my go-to cleaning supplies. I use it for everything from spot cleaning upholstery stains to cutting through grease on kitchen cabinets. It’s gentle enough for wiping down counters yet tough enough to help clean stovetops, sink grime, and even small floor spills.
Keeping a bottle of Dawn soap in the cleaning caddy means my cleaners can handle unexpected messes during turnovers without having to hunt for specialty products.
17 Surprising Ways to Use Dawn Dish Soap
Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
