The Ultimate Airbnb Cleaner Checklist: A Room-by-Room Guide to 5-Star Turns

In the short-term rental industry, a single missed detail can be the difference between a 5-star review and a damaging 3-star rating. For property managers and cleaning professionals alike, relying on memory is a recipe for operational chaos. That’s why a standardized, comprehensive airbnb cleaner checklist is an absolute necessity.

Unlike traditional residential cleaning, turning over an Airbnb requires speed, precision, restocking, and meticulous staging. This guide provides the ultimate room-by-room breakdown to ensure every property is guest-ready.

🖨️ Need a printable version?

Click the button below to print the room by room checklist, without the rest of the article, ready to take along on your cleaning cart.

Airbnb Cleaner Checklist

Property: _______________________
Date: ______________
Cleaner: _______________________

🍳 1. Kitchen

[ ] Empty trash and replace the liner.
[ ] Load, run, and empty the dishwasher. Wipe the inside.
[ ] Wipe down all countertops, backsplashes, and the exterior of all appliances (microwave, fridge, oven).
[ ] Clean the inside of the microwave and stovetop.
[ ] Restock essentials: coffee pods, tea bags, sugar, paper towels, dish soap, and sponges.
[ ] Check for and remove any guest-left food in the fridge or pantry.

🛋️ 2. Living & Dining Areas

[ ] Fluff and arrange all pillows and throw blankets according to property photos (staging).
[ ] Dust all surfaces: TV stand, shelves, coffee tables, and window sills.
[ ] Wipe down the dining table and ensure chairs are neatly pushed in.
[ ] Check that the Wi-Fi router is on and the Wi-Fi instruction card is visible.
[ ] Empty trash bins and replace liners.

🛏️ 3. Bedrooms

[ ] Strip all beds and inspect mattresses for stains or damage.
[ ] Make beds with fresh, wrinkle-free linens (hospital corners recommended).
[ ] Dust nightstands, dressers, and headboards.
[ ] Check inside all drawers and closets to ensure no guest belongings were left behind.
[ ] Ensure hangers are evenly spaced and available for guest use.
[ ] Vacuum or mop the floor, paying special attention to corners and under the bed.

🚿 4. Bathrooms

[ ] Remove all used towels and replace with fresh, folded sets.
[ ] Scrub and disinfect the toilet (inside, outside, and behind the base).
[ ] Clean the shower/tub, removing all hair from the drain and wiping down glass doors or curtains.
[ ] Wipe down the vanity, mirror (streak-free), and faucet fixtures.
[ ] Restock toiletries: toilet paper (fold the end!), hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
[ ] Empty trash and replace the liner.

🚪 5. Entryway & Final Walkthrough

[ ] Ensure the smart lock is functioning and reset the access code for the next guest.
[ ] Check that the thermostat is set to the property’s standard default temperature.
[ ] Ensure all lights are turned off and windows are securely locked.
[ ] Take timestamped, geotagged photos of the completed rooms for the property manager.

Cleaner signature: _______________________
starting time: _________ Ending time: _________

Notes:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

How to Scale Your Cleaning Operations

While a printed checklist is a great starting point, scaling a short-term rental cleaning business requires digital transformation. If you run a growing operation, transitioning to dedicated cleaning business software is the logical next step.

Modern platforms like Doinn allow you to digitize this exact checklist. Cleaners receive it directly on their mobile devices, check off items in real-time, and are required to upload geotagged photos of key areas before marking the job as complete. This eliminates guesswork and provides undeniable proof of work to property owners.

Ready to digitize your cleaning checklists?

Stop relying on paper. See how Doinn helps cleaning teams automate turnovers, verify quality with photos, and scale effortlessly.

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