Vacation Rental Cleaning Guide

A thorough turnover cleaning typically takes 2-4 hours depending on property size, guest stay length, and property condition. A 1-bedroom apartment might take 2 hours while a 4-bedroom house could take 4+ hours. Same-day turnovers with tight windows may require a cleaning team rather than a single cleaner. Build in buffer time for laundry cycles and unexpected messes.

Superhosts follow Airbnb's Enhanced Cleaning Protocol which includes: using approved disinfectants on high-touch surfaces, following a room-by-room checklist, allowing adequate ventilation time between guests, wearing PPE during cleaning, washing all linens at high temperatures, and sanitizing remote controls, door handles, light switches, and thermostats. Many also follow hotel-style standards like hospital corners on beds and fan-folded toilet paper.

Essential restocking includes: toilet paper (at least one roll per bathroom plus extras), paper towels, hand soap, dish soap, trash bags, coffee and filters if provided, basic pantry items per your listing, shampoo and body wash, and welcome snacks if offered. Keep a par level for each item and restock to that level after every turnover. Track inventory to avoid emergency supply runs.

Document everything immediately with photos and videos. Note the damage in your turnover report before cleaning. For minor issues (stains, small breakage), clean and repair if possible and note the cost. For significant damage, contact the guest through the platform before cleaning the area. File a claim through Airbnb's Resolution Center or VRBO's damage protection within the required timeframe—usually 14 days. Keep all receipts for repairs or replacements.

Professional cleaners are worth considering if: you have multiple properties, same-day turnovers are common, you're not local to the property, or cleaning affects your ability to respond to guests. Good turnover cleaners ensure consistency and reliability, take detailed photos, flag maintenance issues, and handle restocking. The cleaning fee charged to guests typically covers professional cleaning costs. For single properties you live near with flexible turnover windows, DIY can work.