Cleaning & Turnover Management
Cleanings Make or Break Your Airbnb—This Is Your Hotel Reset Strategy
Why This Step Matters
Your entire Airbnb reputation depends on how clean, stocked, and photo-ready your unit is—every single time.
Just one bad cleaning can lead to:
- 3-star reviews
- Refunds or cancellations
- Damage that isn’t reported
- Lost Superhost status
- Suspension from Airbnb
This isn’t like cleaning your own home—this is hotel-level reset cleaning, and it needs to be done fast, perfectly, and reliably.
What Airbnb Guests Expect
- Spotless bathrooms
- No hair in the shower or on the bed
- Fresh linens (not re-used)
- No odor
- Fully stocked paper goods
- Trash taken out
- Coffee restocked
- No visible dust, crumbs, or signs of last guest
Anything short of this = bad reviews, even if everything else is perfect.
Step 1: Hire a Cleaner Experienced in Airbnb Turnovers
You can’t use just any house cleaner. Airbnb cleanings are:
- More detailed
- More time-sensitive
- Require laundry, restocking, trash removal, and guest readiness
Hire someone who has experience with short-term rentals. Ask:
- Have you done Airbnb turnovers before?
- Can you work with same-day checkouts?
- Will you send photos of finished cleanings?
�� Use Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB) to automate scheduling and communication with your cleaner.
Step 2: Stock Every Cleaning Item Needed
Cleaners must have access to:
- ✅ OxiClean + Bleach (white linens only)
- ✅ Multipurpose cleaner (non-toxic preferred)
- ✅ Glass cleaner (e.g., Windex)
- ✅ Bathroom cleaner/disinfectant
- ✅ Mop + spray mop
- ✅ Vacuum (cordless preferred)
- ✅ Microfiber cloths
- ✅ Scrub brushes + sponges
- ✅ Trash bags
- ✅ Paper towels
- ✅ Laundry detergent + dryer sheets
- ✅ Air freshener
- ✅ Disinfectant wipes
You can stock these in a locked supply closet, owner’s bin, or hallway cabinet labeled “cleaning only.”
Vendor Tips:
- Amazon (bulk ordering, fast refill)
- Walmart (same-day delivery, refill basics)
- Costco (bulk paper goods)
Step 3: Guest Supplies Must Be Refilled After Every Stay
Your cleaner should restock:
- ✅ Toilet paper (2+ rolls per bathroom)
- ✅ Paper towels (at least 1 full roll)
- ✅ Hand soap
- ✅ Dish soap + sponge
- ✅ Coffee, sugar, creamer
- ✅ Trash bags (new)
- ✅ Shampoo/conditioner (if included)
They should also:
- Check for damage
- Report any missing items
- Take photos for your records
- Log any excess trash or wear/tear
Step 4: Setup a Cleaning Checklist
Provide a printed or shared checklist with every cleaning, including:
Reset beds with clean linens
Disinfect all surfaces
Take out all trash
Restock coffee, paper goods, and soaps
Empty dishwasher
Clean refrigerator
Ensure no leftover guest items
Confirm Wi-Fi sign and welcome items are present
Vacuum + mop all floors
Set thermostat to proper temp
Photograph rooms after turnover
We provide a downloadable cleaning checklist template in the Resources module.
Step 5: Use Turno for Automation
Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB) allows you to:
- Sync your Airbnb calendar
- Automatically assign and pay your cleaner
- Upload your checklist
- Request before/after photos
- Get real-time confirmation of completed turnovers
�� Highly recommended for all Gold and Ultimate members.
Module 8 Checklist
- Cleaner hired and trained on Airbnb turnovers
- Full cleaning supply inventory stocked and stored
- Restocking items tracked and replenished
- Cleaning checklist printed or shared
- Unit reset like a hotel after each guest
- Turno or another automation tool configured
⚠️ Do Not Ignore This Step
We’ve seen perfect listings fail because:
- Trash was left under the sink
- The sheets weren’t changed
- Guests found hair in the tub
- The fridge had old takeout in it
This is not negotiable. Get your cleaning right—or risk losing everything you’ve built.
✅ Your Next Step:
Click “Next Module” to begin Module 9: Professional Photography Setup, where you’ll learn exactly how to shoot or hire photography that makes guests book—and keeps your calendar full.