When I first started hosting on Airbnb, I thought cleaning was just… well, cleaning. But after a guest left a review saying “everything looked clean but felt sticky,” I realized I needed to rethink my approach. Five years and thousands of turnovers later, I’ve learned that successful Airbnb hosting isn’t just about having a great property – it’s about maintaining it like a pro.

This guide shares all the pro tips I wish I’d known when I started: from the cleaning mistakes that cost me bookings to the systems that now keep my properties spotless and my reviews glowing. 

I’ll walk you through the exact processes I use, the supplies that actually work (versus the ones that just look pretty under the sink), and the shortcuts I’ve discovered that save time without cutting corners. Trust me, your future self (and your guests) will thank you for getting these basics right from the start.

Essential cleaning supplies and equipment for Airbnb hosts

When I first started hosting on Airbnb, I made the rookie mistake of using the same cleaning supplies I used in my own home. Big mistake! After a particularly rough review about lingering chemical smells (yikes!), I completely revamped my approach to vacation rental cleaning supplies.

Here’s something most new hosts don’t realize: Professional-grade products actually save you money in the long run. I used to go through bottles of regular glass cleaner like water until I discovered commercial concentrates. One $30 bottle now lasts me three months instead of buying new sprays every week. That’s the kind of efficiency that makes a difference in your airbnb cleaning business.

The absolute must-haves in my cleaning arsenal include:

• A high-quality vacuum with HEPA filtration
• Color-coded microfiber cloths (preventing cross-contamination)
• Commercial-grade disinfectant
• Glass and mirror cleaner
• All-purpose cleaner
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Magic erasers (seriously, these things are magical!)

Become an efficient cleaner

Storage was another challenge I had to figure out the hard way. After months of lugging supplies between properties, I created a dedicated cleaning caddy for each rental. It seems obvious now, but this simple change cut my turnover time by 20 minutes per property.

Organization makes or breaks your cleaning efficiency. I use a simple label system for my vacation rental cleaning supplies – everything has its place, and every property has identical setups. This system works wonders when training new cleaning staff or doing turnovers yourself.

And make sure you keep a backup set of everything. Nothing throws off a quick turnover like running out of supplies mid-clean. I learned this lesson during a holiday weekend when two guests checked out on the same day, and I ran out of disinfectant halfway through the second property. 

Quality over quantity

I used to have dozens of different products, thinking more options meant better cleaning. Now I stick to a core set of professional-grade supplies that I know work well. This streamlined approach not only saves money but also ensures consistent results across all properties.

Remember to check the durability of your tools too. Those bargain mops might seem like a good deal, but they’ll cost you more in replacements and potentially damaged floors. 

I’ve learned that eco-friendly cleaning options aren’t just better for the environment – they’re actually a selling point for many guests. I noticed a significant uptick in positive reviews after switching to natural cleaning products. My favorite discovery was mixing white vinegar with essential oils for an all-purpose cleaner that’s both effective and pleasant-smelling.

Room-by-room cleaning process breakdown

I’ll never forget my first “disaster guest” – they somehow managed to get spaghetti sauce on the kitchen ceiling. A detail I could have missed while cleaning because honestly: who checks for red sauce stain on a ceiling? That experience taught me that having a systematic room-by-room approach isn’t just helpful, it’s absolutely essential for maintaining airbnb host cleaning requirements.

Kitchen

This is usually the most challenging. I always begin with the stovetop and work my way out in circles – it’s like creating ripples in a pond. First things first: check inside the microwave and oven. Keep a box of baking soda near each property will save you tons of time with grease cleanup.

One trick that revolutionized my kitchen cleaning routine was using a checklist divided into “eye-level” and “below eye-level” tasks. Why? Because humans naturally clean what’s at eye level, often missing lower areas. Those baseboards tell stories, trust me! And don’t get me started on the number of times I’ve found sticky spots under the kitchen table.

Bathroom

For bathrooms, I developed what I call the “top-down tornado” method:

1. Start with exhaust fans and light fixtures

2. Move to mirrors and countertops

3. Tackle the toilet (always use fresh cleaning materials here)

4. Finally, mop the floor working toward the door

I’ve also implemented a two-phase bathroom cleaning process. First pass with disinfectant, let it sit while cleaning other areas, then return for the final wipe-down. This method actually saves time while being more effective.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms require special attention to what I call the “touch triangle” – the areas guests interact with most: light switches, bedside tables, and the TV remote. After finding a used tissue under a bed (gross!), I now use a telescoping inspection mirror to check under furniture. It’s these little extra steps that maintain those five-star cleanliness ratings.

Living areas

These are trickier than they seem because they have so many surfaces at different heights. I learned to mentally divide the room into three zones: ceiling height (fans, light fixtures), mid-level (tables, shelves), and floor level (under furniture, baseboards). This system ensures nothing gets missed during those rushed turnovers.

Here’s a pro secret about high-touch surfaces: keep a UV flashlight in your cleaning kit. It’s amazing (and sometimes terrifying) what you can spot with one of these! Door handles, light switches, remote controls – these need extra attention during every turnover.

Hallways

One aspect of the room-by-room process that often gets overlooked is the transition spaces – hallways, entryways, and stairs. These areas create first impressions but are surprisingly easy to forget during a quick turnover. I learned this lesson after a guest commented about dusty baseboards in the hallway despite the rooms being spotless.

Organizing yourself

Time management within each room is crucial. I use the “15-minute rule” – if I’m spending more than 15 minutes in any standard-sized room (excluding deep cleans), I’m probably getting too detailed or using inefficient methods. Of course, there are exceptions for those spaghetti-ceiling situations!

What’s also important is having a consistent order of operations. Following the same pattern every time reduces mistakes and increases speed. It’s like muscle memory – your body knows where to go next without having to think about it.

I like to take photos of each room after cleaning because it serves two purposes: quality control and protection against false claims. I can’t count the number of times these photos have saved me from guest disputes about pre-existing conditions.

Time-saving cleaning tips for quick turnovers

Anyone who tells you they’ve never felt overwhelmed by a same-day turnover is either lying or hasn’t hosted on Airbnb long enough! After my first panic-inducing 2-hour window between guests, I knew I needed a better system for my airbnb cleaning business.

The key to quick turnovers? It’s all about prioritization. I use what I call the “guest-eye method” – focusing first on what guests notice immediately: beds, bathrooms, kitchen surfaces, and floors. Everything else follows a strict priority list.

Here’s my emergency 90-minute turnover checklist:

1. Strip all beds and start laundry immediately

2. Bathrooms (quick but thorough sanitization)

3. Kitchen surfaces and appliances

4. Floors and visible surfaces

5. Make beds with fresh linens

6. Final touches and quality check

Have a systematic approach

Some hosts think speed means cutting corners, but I’ve found that having a systematic approach actually allows for both thoroughness and efficiency. I like to use a checklist and detailed workflow, and regularly check in with my cleaning person to see if we need to improve the process.

I know some hosts who implemented a two-person system: one person handles wet areas (kitchens and baths) while the other tackles dry areas (bedrooms and living spaces). If you’ve got two people on your clean team, it could be worth a try. 

Preparation prevents panic

Every property has a backup set of linens, extra cleaning supplies, and an emergency kit. When you’re racing against the clock, the last thing you need is to waste time running to the store for garbage bags.

I also pay extra attention to pre-arrival prep:running out of clean towels at 10 PM before a morning check-in? Been there, done that, never again! Now I keep a turnover kit ready with fresh linens and basic supplies for each property.

Clear check out instructions

One strategy that saves enormous time: teaching guests to help! I know it sounds crazy, but by clearly communicating check-out expectations and providing simple instructions (like starting the dishwasher before leaving), guests often do some of the prep work for you. A little guidance goes a long way.

Music to guide you

Create a “speed cleaning” music playlist that’s exactly as long as your target cleaning time. It sounds silly, but it works as both a timer and motivation. When the music stops, you should be done! 

Professional cleaning standards that boost reviews

Remember that heart-dropping moment when you see a new review notification? Early in my hosting journey, I received a review that simply said “Found hair in the shower. Gross.” Talk about a wake-up call! That single review transformed how I approach my airbnb housekeeping guide standards.

Document everything

I started documenting everything after a guest claimed the property was “filthy” upon arrival. Now I take detailed photos after each clean, focusing on commonly disputed areas like appliances, bathrooms, and bedding. It’s saved me countless times in guest disputes, and it helps maintain consistency across properties. Those photos also work great for training new cleaning staff! Plus, keeping detailed cleaning logs helps me see what’s working (and what isn’t) and adjust my processes accordingly. Those small tweaks add up to major improvements in efficiency and quality over time.

Look closer

I get down on my hands and knees to check under beds, sit on the toilet to see what’s visible at eye level, and lay on the couch to spot cobwebs on the ceiling. Yes, I probably look ridiculous doing it, but it works!

Here’s what guests always notice (even if they don’t mention it):

– Smells (especially musty or chemical odors)

– Hair (anywhere, but especially in bathrooms)

– Dust on black surfaces

– Fingerprints on glass and mirrors

– Crumbs in drawers and under cushions

Invisible stains

I added the “touch test” to my quality control process. Sounds fancy, it’s really not. After cleaning, I run my hands along surfaces – you’d be amazed what you can feel that you might miss visually. Those sticky spot on the kitchen counter? Yeah, they don’t show up in photos, but guests will definitely notice them!

Plus, I invested in a UV flashlight. It’s an essential tool for identifying spots that need extra attention, especially in bathrooms and on upholstery. It’s not just about cleaning what you can see – it’s about finding what you might miss.

Sanitize the right way

One often-overlooked aspect of professional cleaning is the importance of proper disinfection times. I used to just spray and wipe immediately. But most disinfectants need to sit for several minutes to be effective. Now I start by spraying all surfaces that need disinfecting, then move on to other tasks while it does its work.

Pro tips for deep cleans

You know what’s worse than a bad review? Getting a bad review for something that could have been prevented! After hosting for years, I’ve learned that maintaining cleanliness between turnovers is just as important as the deep cleans.

Deep Cleaning: Getting Your Rental Seriously Clean

Deep cleaning should be an essential part of your cleaning schedule. Every six weeks, I take a whole day just for deep cleaning. This ensures my property stays in great shape and my guests are happy. Here are some of my pro tips.

Vents

Those vents in your ceiling? They get super gross over time. I take them down, soak them in cleaning solution, and vacuum out all the dust bunnies hiding in there. Trust me, your guests can tell the difference between fresh and stuffy air, even if they don’t know why.

Bathroom

I learned this cool trick with shower heads – you can soak them overnight in vinegar to remove all the crusty stuff. For the grout between tiles, I use a special sealer to keep mold from growing. 

Kitchen

Pull out the stove and fridge (carefully!) and you’ll probably find enough crumbs to make a sandwich. I use special cleaners for the hood above the stove because regular soap just turns grease into a sticky mess.

Furniture

I use a steam cleaner to get all the hidden dirt out of couches and chairs. And don’t forget mattresses – they need cleaning too! I flip them over and give them a good vacuum and steam clean.

Windows

Windows might seem simple, but here’s a pro tip: clean them on cloudy days. Sunshine dries the cleaner too fast and leaves streaks. Also, curtains are like giant dust magnets. Either wash them or get them professionally cleaned every few months.

Maintenance prevention

Every deep clean includes a 15 minute maintenance prevention check. I walk around the property and test things. This way I can get ahead of the problem. 

Your Takeaway 

Start creating a cleaning checklist today! Take 10 minutes to write down everything that comes to mind when you clean your property. Then, next you clean add all the remaining details to your checklist. This small step will immediately improve your turnover efficiency and ensure nothing gets missed during the cleaning process.