Finding a negative review about cleanliness after vacation rental turnover cleaning is every vacation rental owner’s nightmare. You work so hard to make your property inviting, only to have a guest complain it wasn’t clean enough! 😒
As a hotel owner, I understand the frustration of a bad review tarnishing your reputation. But don’t worry; there’s a silver lining. You can proactively prevent cleanliness complaints and maintain your property’s pristine image.
Don’t let cleanliness jeopardize your bookings or revenue in your real estate investing business. Join me to explore effective strategies for maintaining the pristine condition of your vacation rental property. With a few small tweaks, you can avoid the bad reviews and keep your guests – and your business – happy!
Key Takeaways
- Make a stellar first impression and avoid cleanliness complaints with thorough vacation rental turnover cleaning.
- Effective cleaning involves gathering supplies, creating a checklist, decluttering, dusting, sanitizing, changing linens, and more.
- Costs vary based on location, property size, and specific cleaning needs.
What Is Vacation Rental Turnover Cleaning?
Vacation rental turnover cleaning is the cleaning process that is done after a group of guests check out before the next guests arrive.
In the vacation rental business, this process is crucial to ensuring a positive experience for guests and add a WOW factor for that 5-star first impression. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This involves deep-cleaning all surfaces, sanitizing bathrooms and kitchen, replacing linens, restocking amenities – and checking every box to create a sparkling space.
The goal? Delight guests with a squeaky-clean, comfortable home-away-from-home that wows them from the start. Satisfied guests equal glowing reviews, repeat visits, increased bookings, and your rental’s reputation skyrocketing.
What you Should Know about vacation rental turnover cleaning
Want every guest’s stay to be picture-perfect? Proper turnover cleaning between bookings resets your short term rental, ensuring each new arrival experiences a new, fresh space.
This first impression sets the stage for an unforgettable visit that drives returns and referrals.
Meticulous cleaning isn’t just nice – it’s one of the most critical operational keys for vacation rental profitability.
IntelliHost conducted a study that showed a 4.6-star cleaning rating correlates to 42% higher income than properties rated 4.5 stars.
New guests deserve a clean property free of remnants from previous stays, and attention to detail brings those glowing reviews to life.
That’s why preventing cleanliness should be your top priority since even the smallest issues are the fastest way to tank your ratings.
For your vacation rental properties, try aiming for a spotless space that feels comfortable, safe, and welcoming. With such a space, guests can instantly relax without worrying about dirty conditions.
Going above and beyond on cleaning shows excellent service and care – you want guests raving about their stay.
Proper cleaning maintenance preserves your property and can be part of your promotion strategy.
5 Steps For Vacation Rental Cleaning
If you have extra time on your hands and prefer cleaning it on your own (and avoid hiring an independent cleaner), follow this proven vacation rental cleaning checklist to refresh your property between guests to get those 5-star reviews:
Gear Up
Assemble your arsenal of cleaning materials – vacuum, mops, cloths, gloves, and other items. Having it all prepped saves time.
Map It Out
Create your master turnover cleaning checklist. Outline every surface, nook, and cranny needing attention. Don’t miss a spot –ceiling fans collect dust, too!
Clean Sweep
Move through each area methodically. Dust, vacuum, sanitize, scrub, polish, and disinfect every high-touch surfaces (surfaces that people often touch with their hands). Dont forget to check every cleaning tasks you do on your list.
Linens and Lifestyle: Strip dirty linens, replace shower curtains, remove trash, and restock amenities.
Stay on Top of Maintenance
Inspect for any maintenance needs or damages during turnover and restock any used cleaning products if needed.
Check appliances, electronics, plumbing fixtures, windows, doors, walls, and floors. Catch minor repairs early before they become big issues.
Replace batteries in smoke detectors. Test that all lights, fans, AC, and electronics are functioning.
Conducting preventative maintenance keeps your rental running smoothly for the next guests.
Finishing Touches
Do walkthrough inspection and touch-up as needed. Your freshly cleaned property is ready to welcome and wow new guests!
Essential Factors for Vacation Rental Turnover Cleaning
Don’t leave turnover cleaning to chance – create a detailed checklist and fine-tune it regularly to maintain rigorous standards.
Schedule inspections during cleanings to spot-check for any missed areas. Consider shadowing cleaning crews to ensure proper techniques are followed consistently. Plus, try to invest time upfront to perfect systems and protocols.
The result? Peace of mind knowing cleaning is completed thoroughly and correctly every single time. Your hard work translates to sparkling rentals and satisfied guests time and again.
Take Turnover Cleaning to the Next Level with Pros
Want to go beyond expectations for guests? Hire professional cleaners and make your Airbnb cleaner for a flawless turnover every time.
Here are some companies that provide or connect you with cleaners for vacation rental turnover cleaning services:
What does a typical vacation rental turnover cleaning service include?
Here is what an experienced provider will typically handle:
- Thorough cleaning of all floors, walls, and surfaces. Mopping, dusting, and wiping down all areas in every nook and cranny – from ceiling fans and light switches to picture frames.
- Deep clean high-touch surfaces using a variety of cleaning solutions like disinfectants – scrubbing the sinks, counters, and appliances and disinfecting the kitchen floor.
- Sanitizing and descaling the hot tub, shower, and toilet. Plus removing soap scum and hard water stains.
- Changing all linens, including sheets, towels, and pillowcases. Inspecting the mattresses and then providing fresh, clean bedding and towels.
- Restocking amenities, including soaps, toilet paper, and other personal cleaning materials. Ensuring all basics are replenished and prevent them from running low.
- Taking out trash, cleaning wastebaskets, and replacing trash bags. Removing all leftovers and clutter.
- Washing windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces for a streak-free shine.
- Regularly inspecting for damages or maintenance issues and checking if they’re in good condition.
- Curb appeal tasks like sweeping patios or walkways and cleaning outdoor furniture.
Final Thoughts and My Hospitality Cleaning Experience
First impressions matter – and it all comes down to cleanliness. Detailed vacation rental turnover cleaning between guests is key for managing a top-performing vacation rental property.
But how do you make sure each new arrival walks into a pristine space?
Follow a systematic approach by creating a comprehensive cleaning checklist that covers every inch, from sparkling surfaces to fresh linens. On top of that, regularly conduct regular inspections and touch-ups to maintain quality.
As a hotel owner with hands-on experience with the vacation rental industry, I’ve seen firsthand how this consistency and attention to detail leads to satisfied guests, stellar reviews, and repeat visits. My advice? Don’t cut corners – invest in professional cleaners for your vacation rental property.
Outstanding upkeep brings outstanding results. Make vacation rental turnover cleaning a priority and make them a positive experience for the new guests, and you’ll be rewarded with a thriving, profitable business.
Vacation rental turnover cleaning FAQs
How much does vacation rental cleaning cost?
Here’s the estimated price for vacation rental cleaning:

The cost of cleaning vacation rentals depends on where it is, how big it is, how often it needs cleaning, how clean it needs to be, and if any extra services are needed.
How Does Cleaning Work with VRBO?
Airbnb and VRBO allow hosts and property owners to charge a cleaning fee to cover the cleaning costs after guests check out.
How to find A reliable vacation rental cleaning service in your area?
Follow these tips to find a go-to professional cleaning team in your area and save time looking for one:
- Property managers can search online for local companies using keywords like “vacation rental cleaning service.” Platforms like Turno connect you to experienced providers.
- Read reviews and testimonials to gauge quality and reliability. Check sites like Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot for transparent feedback.
- Browse company websites and portfolios to learn about their offerings, before-and-after results, and client experiences.
- Ask for recommendations from other vacation/ short term rental property owners. Their real-world experiences will provide trustworthy referrals.
- Contact multiple providers about services, availability, and pricing. Explain your exact needs so they can meet your requirements. Vetting companies upfront will help property owners like you find a cleaning service that consistently delivers.
Vetting companies upfront will help you find a cleaning service that consistently delivers.
Nic
Nic is an avid real estate investor who partners with her husband on hotel syndications. Prior to hotels, she owned apartment complexes and single-family homes. Her insider expertise makes her the ideal resource for those seeking to grow their income via property investments.