Cleaning your vacation rental property is the key to keeping your guests happy, avoid complaints and ensuring they have a great stay. But it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re not used to cleaning homes on a regular basis.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy checklist – it covers everything you need to clean before and after your guests arrive. Happy hosting!
How does a Vacation Rental Cleaning Checklist Help?
When it comes to keeping up with hygiene, short-term rental property owners should do a thorough cleaning every time a guest leaves their vacation rental property. In order for the cleaning process to not be too complicated and tiring, there needs good organization as well as patience.
We’ve found that a comprehensive cleaning checklist is key to maintaining your vacation rental home spotless. Not only will it make the whole process much faster, but you can also use this as an instruction manual if hiring someone else for cleaning services. You’ll be able to set expectations and highlight which areas require most attention- making sure everything gets done without any hiccups or worries about what needs more work on their end before they get started.
Introducing a comprehensive vacation rental cleaning checklist into your routine will rock your hosting world. By using this, you’ll always know that all areas of the house are thoroughly clean and ready for guests to enjoy.
As an owner or manager, this list can be invaluable when making sure everything looks pristine before the next guests arrive – which means happier customers with better reviews left by prospective renters on their sites (and more revenue).
Cleaning before guests arrive
It is important to create an excellent first impression on your guests, especially if you want them to leave with glowing reviews. You can use stylish decor and amenities as well as good prices but customers really cherish cleanliness so do the best job possible by following this list before they arrive:
Cleaning the Kitchen
Make sure your kitchen is ready for guests to start cooking after their trip. Cleaning all surfaces and items, emptying out the dishwasher, replenishing paper towels and soap will help them enjoy a delicious meal in no time.
- Check corners for dirt, grease, and mold.
- Clean the area where you keep trash and recyclables.
- Clean counters clean of grime, dirt, and mold.
- Are the appliances clean of food particles and grime? Remove them and clean under and behind.
- Are the light switches plates clean? Should they be replaced?
Cleaning the Bedrooms
- Should the flooring be deep cleaned? Check corners for dirt, dust, and mold.
- Remove furniture to clean the floor. #nodustbunnies
- Are the window sills clean?
- Are the windows clean?
- Are your ceiling fan blades clean?
Cleaning the Bathroom
- Check corners for dirt, mold, or hairballs.
- Are the counters clean of dirt and mold?
- Is the toilet clean?
- Should the toilet seat and shower curtains be replaced?
- Ensure there is NO mold or grime in the shower and or tub on the ceiling.
- Are the windows and the sills clean of dirt and mold?
- Is the lighting dark? Bright lights are important.
Cleaning the House Exterior
- Pressure wash walkways, patios, and the sides of the house.
- Deep clean or replace the outdoor grills and/or firepits.
- Deep clean the patio furniture or look to refurbish or replace it.
- Tidy up the landscaping and foliage.
- Ensure there is no clutter or debris in the outdoor space.
Cleaning the Laundry
- Be sure the washer and dryer are empty
- Wipe down machines (including seal areas) and leave open
- Wash floor (sweep or mop)
- Remove trash and clean trash cans
- Ensure laundry provisions are stocked (e.g., laundry detergent, dryer sheets, or fabric softener)
- Ensure iron, ironing board, and distilled water are in place
Cleaning the Living Room
- Clean and disinfect stereos, game systems, TVs, and remotes
- Ensure the welcome book is in a visible place and is in good condition
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors/carpets as applicable
- Check under cushions and couches for debris and other items
- Clean and straighten decor like pillows, blankets, etc.
- Dust and clean furniture, blinds, picture frames, knickknacks, ceiling fans, and lamps
- Wash windows (interior) and sliding glass doors
- Sweep
- If applicable, check fireplace has no ashes and firewood is neatly stacked
Cleaning During Your Guests Stay
Sometimes, you’ll have to host guests for a long period of time. If you’re hosting a large group of people and need to keep certain areas clean, then it is important that while they’re staying at your vacation rental property, there are no issues in those parts. This will ensure the best experience possible for all guests.
- Organize a cleaning service once a week – talk to your guests and decide on a day that suits everyone best.
- Include a cleaning fee for longer stays if they prefer to have the cleaning service provided by you.
- Include a discount for longer stays, to encourage the guests to do the cleaning themselves.
- Keep some cleaning supplies inside the home, so guests can do the cleaning themselves if needed.
- Offer a weekly sheet/pillowcase/towel replacement.
- Encourage open communication – upon arrival, talk to them about their cleaning preferences.
We also recommend having a shorter vacation rental cleaning checklist for mid-stay cleaning. It can include the following activities:
- Replacing towels, sheets, pillowcases, and blankets
- Replacing light bulbs
- Restocking toilet paper and paper towels
- Restocking trash bags
- Replace liquid toilet fresheners
Cleaning After Your Guests Departure
After your guests have departed, it is important to make sure that everything is in order. If something is broken, you will need to estimate the damage and file a claim on the security deposit or insurance; but don’t forget about any personal belongings left behind by guests.
This brief after-departure checklist will help you take care of everything quickly:
- Check the fridge and freezer for leftover food and stains from previous use.
- Open the microwave to check whether there are any spillage, stains, or unpleasant smells.
- Inspect hidden surfaces: under the beds, under the trashcans, under the sinks, etc.
- Open all drawers – cupboards, bedside tables, dressers.
- If you use recycle bins, quickly check whether guests correctly sorted out their trash.
- Make sure that nothing is broken.
- Check whether all the valuable items are still in place.
Conclusion
Vacation rentals are not hotels, but travelers expect them to maintain the same level of cleanliness. The best way to keep your house clean is by using a checklist and following it every time. This will remove the hassles from cleaning, so you can enjoy high expectations for guests with sparkling reviews.
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