Cleanliness is almost always a deal-breaker for all types of vacation rentals. Your guests will expect spotless spaces that feel welcoming, safe, and well-maintained.
Even minor issues—like a dusty shelf or an unwashed glass—can lead to complaints, bad reviews, or even lost bookings. For property owners, managing cleaning alongside guest turnover and maintenance often feels overwhelming at the least.
Different platforms, like Airbnb or Vrbo, have varying cleanliness standards. While Airbnb prioritizes sanitation, Vrbo emphasizes perfect presentation. Falling short on these requirements can prevent you from improving your listing’s visibility and your bottom line.
Juggling turnovers, restocking supplies, and meeting guest expectations don’t have to be a headache.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How vacation rental cleaning differs from regular cleaning.
- Why a cleaning checklist is essential for consistency.
- Tips to streamline your vacation rental services and manage cleaners effectively.
Let’s first dive into ways to maintain a spotless rental and boost your property’s success.
How does vacation rental cleaning differ from regular cleaning?
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Vacation rental cleaning is all about delivering a hotel-like experience that meets or even exceeds your guest’s expectations. Regular cleaning focuses on keeping a home livable, but vacation rental cleaning is in some ways more intensive and detail-oriented.
For example, regular vacation rental cleaning services might involve vacuuming floors or wiping down surfaces. To run a successful vacation rental business, you’ll also need to sanitize high-touch areas like light switches, remotes, and doorknobs.
You’ll also need to ensure the property looks perfect, from neatly folded towels to streak-free mirrors. Guests notice every detail, and even a small oversight can lead to a poor review, something you would most definitely want to avoid at all costs.
Another key difference is turnover speed. Vacation rentals often have a narrow window between check-out and check-in. This means cleaning must be thorough, fast, and efficient.
Additionally, cleaning for rentals includes tasks like:
- Restocking toiletries
- Checking for damages
- Ensuring everything works properly
Understanding these differences is important to differentiate yourself in the vacation rental market and if you strive to maintain high standards and keep your guests happy.
Why should you use a cleaning checklist?
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There are numerous reasons for using a vacation rental cleaning checklist and some of them include consistency, saving time, and avoiding mistakes.
Here’s a comprehensive list of reasons why every vacation rental owner should rely on one:
- Guarantees thorough cleaning of all areas.
- Prevents missed details like dusty ceiling fans or dirty remotes.
- Ensures sanitization of high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches.
- Helps maintain a hotel-like standard of cleanliness guests expect.
- Provides a clear structure for cleaning tasks during tight turnovers.
- Reduces confusion for cleaning teams or new cleaners.
- Makes it easy to maintain consistency, even across multiple properties.
- Includes specific property needs, like restocking unique amenities.
- Ensures the fridge is emptied, cleaned, and free of forgotten items.
- Helps present the property exactly as shown in photos.
- Saves time by streamlining the cleaning process into an efficient routine.
- Minimizes the risk of bad reviews caused by overlooked tasks.
- Allows for quick inspection after cleaning to ensure nothing is missed.
- Keeps track of non-cleaning tasks like checking for damages or maintenance issues.
- Reduces stress by eliminating guesswork during turnovers.
- Creates a repeatable process for maintaining high standards across all stays.
If the thought of things going wrong has you worried, check out the safety checks that should be a part of your regular vacation rental cleaning below to ensure everything stays on track.
What safety checks should be part of regular vacation rental cleaning?
Here are the key checks to include:
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Ensure these life-saving devices are operational and replace batteries as needed.
- Inspect fire extinguishers: Confirm they are accessible, fully charged, and not expired.
- Check locks and entry points: Verify all doors, windows, and keyless entry systems function correctly.
- Identify tripping hazards: Look for loose tiles, frayed rugs, or clutter that could cause falls.
- Inspect electrical outlets and appliances: Ensure there are no exposed wires, damaged cords, or malfunctioning devices.
- Examine outdoor spaces: Check for slippery surfaces, damaged decking, or overgrown plants.
- Pool and hot tub safety: Inspect for cleanliness and confirm equipment, like filters and covers, is in good working order.
- Emergency lighting and exits: Verify emergency lights work and that exit paths are clear and marked.
- First aid kits: Ensure kits are fully stocked and accessible in case of minor injuries.
- Childproofing measures: If your property hosts families, check childproof locks, gates, and other safety features.
How to find and manage good cleaners?
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Finding reliable cleaners is one of the most important steps in maintaining a high standard for your vacation rental. A good cleaning team will ensure your property is always guest-ready, which helps you secure glowing reviews and repeat bookings.
But how do you find the right people, and how do you keep them on track?
Start with referrals.
Ask other rental property owners for recommendations. Referrals often lead to trustworthy professionals who understand the unique demands of vacation rental cleaning. You can also explore local Facebook groups or online forums where hosts share their experiences.
Use cleaning platforms.
Apps like Turno, Cleanster, and ResortCleaning connect property owners with vetted cleaners experienced in short-term rental turnovers. These platforms often allow you to post jobs, compare bids, and read reviews from other hosts.
Conduct interviews.
Always interview candidates regardless of whether you find cleaners independently or through a platform.
Ask about their experience with vacation rentals, their availability, and how they handle last-minute requests or tight turnovers. Look for individuals who are detail-oriented and reliable.
Provide clear expectations.
A detailed cleaning checklist is the most important factor for communicating what’s required.
Include specific instructions for tasks like sanitizing high-touch areas, restocking supplies, and staging the property as shown in photos. This will ensure consistency and help you avoid any possible misunderstandings.
Build a positive relationship.
Treat your cleaners like valued team members.
Prompt payments, clear communication, and mutual respect go a long way in building trust and loyalty.
Regularly share feedback—both positive and constructive—to help them improve and stay motivated.
Use scheduling tools.
To streamline operations, use software that integrates with your booking calendar to automatically assign cleaning tasks. This prevents double bookings or missed turnovers and makes managing multiple properties more efficient.
You should start by automating your scheduling because managing tasks manually is tough, especially with back-to-back stays or last-minute bookings. Property management tools like Breezeway or Turno sync with your booking calendar, automatically assigning and notifying cleaners. This reduces errors and ensures timely turnovers.
Standardizing your cleaning routine is equally important. A detailed checklist tailored to your property helps ensure every task, from sanitizing high-touch surfaces to checking for damages, is completed.
Digital checklists allow cleaners to mark tasks and upload photos, which gives you remote verification without needing to visit the property.
Here’s how to simplify supply management:
- Maintain a clear inventory of toiletries, linens, and cleaning supplies.
- Replenish stock regularly to avoid last-minute shortages.
- Organize supplies for easy access by cleaners.
Deep cleans are also very important.
Schedule them quarterly or seasonally to tackle areas like carpets, appliances, and outdoor spaces. These deeper efforts will help preserve your property’s long-term condition and enhance guest satisfaction.
Communication ties everything together so try to use group chats or apps to keep cleaners updated about special instructions or last-minute changes. Encourage them to report maintenance issues, such as broken items or hazards, during their routine.
To continuously improve, evaluate your process regularly.
Guest reviews and team feedback often reveal opportunities for refinement. Small adjustments can make a big difference regardless of whether it’s updating your checklist or adopting new tools.
Should you hire professional cleaners or opt for full-service vacation rental property management?
When it comes to managing a vacation rental, cleaning is one of the most time-consuming tasks.
Whether to handle it yourself, hire professional cleaners or partner with a full-service vacation rental property management company depends on your resources, time, and goals.
Each option has its benefits and downsides, which are important to consider.
Self-cleaning might seem like the most cost-effective solution, especially if you manage just one property. It allows you to maintain full control over the cleaning process and ensure every detail meets your standards.
However, it requires a significant time commitment, especially during peak seasons or when dealing with back-to-back bookings. Additionally, managing cleaning supplies and maintaining a consistent schedule can become overwhelming over time.
Experienced cleaners are familiar with the high standards expected in vacation rentals, such as:
- Sanitizing high-touch surfaces
- Restocking essentials
- Staging the property to look inviting
This option saves you the effort of cleaning yourself while maintaining control over other aspects of property management.
The downside is that you still need to coordinate schedules, inspect their work, and address any issues—tasks that can become challenging as your portfolio grows.
Opting for full-service vacation rental property management is the most hands-off option, which makes it ideal for those who lack the time or prefer a completely streamlined approach.
One Fine BnB goes beyond cleaning and handling everything from advertising your property on top booking platforms to guest communication, maintenance, and turnover management.
Our expertise ensures your property is always guest-ready while maximizing your booking potential. This convenience comes at a higher cost, but for many property owners, the saved time and reduced stress far outweigh the investment.
The right choice depends on your situation.
If you have one or two properties and enjoy hands-on involvement, self-cleaning or a professional cleaning service might suffice. However, if you manage multiple listings or want to minimize your workload, full-service property management provides a seamless, hassle-free solution that ensures consistent quality and guest satisfaction.
Conclusion
Managing in today’s vacation rental industry requires you to adopt the philosophy of consistent cleaning, detailed coordination, and guest satisfaction—all of which can be overwhelming. While self-cleaning and professional cleaners work for some, they often leave property owners juggling schedules and inspections.
Full-service vacation rental management offers a seamless solution by handling cleaning, guest communication, maintenance, and listing optimization. Our expertise ensures exceptional cleanliness, better reviews, and higher occupancy, which frees you to focus on other priorities.
If you’re ready to simplify operations and boost your property’s success, we are here to provide the support and professionalism you need.
Schedule a free consultation today and take the stress out of managing your rental.
Vacation rental cleaning FAQs
Should I set a cleaning fee for my Airbnb?
Yes, most hosts include a cleaning fee to cover the costs of preparing the property for guests. Be transparent about this fee in your listing to avoid surprises.
What is the typical cleaning fee for Vrbo?
Cleaning fees on Vrbo vary based on property size and location but typically range between $75 and $200 per stay.
What cleaning is required for Airbnb?
Airbnb requires thorough cleaning, which includes sanitizing high-touch surfaces, washing linens, and ensuring the property is guest-ready. Detailed cleaning guidelines are provided on their platform.
Will an Airbnb property management company take care of the cleaning for me?
Yes, companies like One Fine BnB handle all cleaning operations, which ensures your property meets high standards and stays guest-ready.
