An Airbnb cleaning checklist has two jobs: get the unit properly clean, and get it guest-ready within the gap between check-out and check-in. The checklist below covers every area of a typical short-term rental, the turnover order that saves the most time, and the habits that protect your cleanliness rating. Adapt it to your unit and keep a printed copy on-site.

The turnover order that saves time

Start the slowest tasks first, so laundry and the dishwasher run while you clean everything else.

Walk through and document. Turn on the lights and bathroom fan, and look at every room before touching anything. Photograph damage or items left behind.
Strip the beds and start laundry. The washer and dryer are usually the longest part of a turnover.
Collect garbage and dishes. Empty every bin, load the dishwasher and start it.
Spray the bathroom and kitchen so cleaners can sit while you work elsewhere.
Clean top to bottom, dry to wet. Dust first, then surfaces, then bathroom and kitchen, and floors last, working toward the door.
Make the beds with a fresh set of linens, so you are never waiting on the dryer.
Restock supplies.
Do a final walk-through and take photos.

Airbnb cleaning checklist by area

Entry

Sweep and mop the floor, and shake out the mat.
Wipe the door, handle, keypad or lockbox and light switches.
Wipe the boot tray and check coat hooks for forgotten items.
In the rainy season, dry the entry floor thoroughly and put out a fresh mat.
Check that the house manual and Wi-Fi card are in place.

Kitchen

Put away clean dishes, checking glasses and cutlery for spots.
Remove guest food from the fridge, freezer and cupboards according to your house policy, and wipe the shelves.
Clean the microwave, stovetop and oven door, and check inside the oven.
Empty and wipe the coffee maker, kettle and toaster crumb tray.
Wipe counters, backsplash, cabinet fronts and handles.
Scrub and dry the sink, and replace the sponge or dishcloth.
Take out garbage, recycling and compost, sorted to your building’s rules, and put in new liners.
Mop the floor.

Bathroom

Clean the toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it.
Scrub the shower or tub, squeegee the glass and pull hair out of the drains.
Clean the sink, counter and mirror, and polish the taps so there are no water spots.
Do a dedicated hair check: floor corners, shower walls, sink and towels. Stray hair is easy to miss and very noticeable to a guest.
Hang fresh towels and a bath mat, folded the same way every time.
Empty the garbage, mop the floor and leave the fan running.

For grout, caulk and mildew between bookings, see our guide to deep cleaning a bathroom.

Bedrooms and linens

Strip every bed, including the mattress protector if soiled, and check the mattress for stains.
Check under the bed, in drawers, nightstands and closets for anything left behind.
Make the beds with fresh linens, with pillows arranged to match your listing photos.
Dust nightstands, headboards, lamps and window sills.
Vacuum, including under the bed.

Living areas

Dust the TV, shelves and surfaces, and wipe remotes, light switches and door handles.
Vacuum the sofa and under the cushions.
Straighten cushions and throws to match the listing photos.
Clean glass tables and the balcony door glass, and sweep the balcony.
Vacuum and mop the floors.

Restocking supplies

Keep a written list of what the unit should hold, with backups in a locked owner’s closet.

Toilet paper, paper towels and tissues
Hand soap, dish soap and dishwasher tablets
Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
Garbage, recycling and compost bags
Coffee, tea, salt, pepper and cooking oil, if your listing includes them
Laundry detergent, if there is in-suite laundry
Spare light bulbs and remote batteries

Final walk-through

Walk in the front door the way a guest would and look at each room from the doorway.
Check that every light works, the thermostat is set and the blinds are positioned the same way each time.
Do a smell check. You want fresh air, not garbage or a heavy cleaning-product smell.
Photograph each room as a record of how you left it.
Lock up and confirm the door code or lockbox works.

Managing tight same-day turnovers

Set realistic check-in and check-out times. Leave a gap that fits the full checklist, not just a best-case day.
Keep two or three linen and towel sets per bed so laundry never holds up the next guest.
Pre-pack kits. A bathroom kit and a kitchen kit, restocked after each turnover, save trips back and forth.
Make small check-out requests. Asking guests to start the dishwasher and put used towels in the tub helps, as long as the list stays short.
Split the work. With two people, one takes the kitchen and bathroom while the other handles bedrooms and living areas.
Schedule periodic deep cleans. Ovens, baseboards, windows and grout will not get done in a same-day turnover. Block a day between bookings, using a deep cleaning checklist as your guide.

Laundry logistics

A small stacked washer-dryer in a condo is slow with sheets and towels, another reason to keep spare sets.
White linens are easier to treat and keep consistent from stay to stay.
Treat stains as soon as you strip the bed, and retire anything stained or worn.
Store each clean set folded inside one of its pillowcases, so beds can be made in one trip.

Handling guest damage found during cleaning

Whoever does the turnover, whether that is you, a co-host or a cleaner, should document before cleaning.

Photograph the damage before moving or cleaning anything, with a wide shot and a close-up.
Note what and where it is, and compare against your check-in photos to confirm it is new.
Report it to the host right away, and file any claim through the platform promptly. Platforms set their own time limits, so check yours.
Keep damaged items until any claim is resolved, and keep communication with the guest factual and polite.

Standards that protect your reviews

Consistency. Use the same checklist every time. The unit should look like the listing photos at every check-in.
Replace worn items early. Pilled sheets, thin towels and scratched pans make a clean unit look tired.
Manage damp. In the wet season, run bathroom fans, wipe window condensation, check sills for mildew and use a dehumidifier in basement suites. A musty smell is hard for a guest to overlook.

Check the local rules

Short-term rentals in Vancouver and across BC come with licensing requirements and rules that differ by municipality, and many strata buildings have their own bylaws. Check the current requirements with your municipality and your strata before listing, and review them from time to time, since rules can change.

When it makes sense to hire a professional

If turnovers are taking over your schedule, or you manage more than one unit, professional short-term rental and Airbnb cleaning frees up your time. C&M Cleaning Service cleans in teams across Metro Vancouver, is bonded and insured, and uses eco-friendly, non-toxic products. If something is missed, contacting them within 24 hours of the service gets it re-cleaned at no extra charge.

FAQ

How long does an Airbnb turnover clean take?

It depends on the size of the unit, the number of beds and bathrooms, how the last guests left it, and whether laundry is done on-site. Starting laundry first, using pre-packed supply kits and working to a fixed checklist all shorten it. Time your first few turnovers to set a realistic gap between guests.

Should Airbnb hosts clean the unit themselves or hire a cleaner?

Cleaning yourself gives you full control, but it ties you to every check-out. Hiring a cleaner frees up your time and helps with back-to-back bookings. A common approach is to clean yourself at first, write down your standard, then hand that checklist to a cleaner.

What should an Airbnb cleaning checklist include?

It should cover every area of the unit, from the entry to the living areas, plus linens, restocking and a final walk-through. Adding photos of how each room should look helps anyone doing the turnover match your listing. Update it whenever you change amenities.

Airbnb Cleaning Checklist: A Turnover Guide for Vancouver Hosts