As an Airbnb or vacation rental host, one of the most important factors in delivering an exceptional guest experience is cleanliness. While it’s easy to rely on photos and videos of your property to give you a sense of how everything looks, maintaining a top-notch environment requires more than just a snapshot here and there. The devil is in the details—and creating a solid cleanliness checklist, backed by feedback, is the best way to keep your property in tip-top shape and avoid the mistakes others might make along the way.
In a previous post, we discussed how to streamline property maintenance and scale your Airbnb business with the right tools and team. Now, let’s focus on one of the most vital aspects of that process: cleanliness and attention to detail. Here's how you can ensure your property is always guest-ready—and how to motivate your team to keep it that way.
The Power of Regular Photos & Videos
It's easy to fall into the trap of assuming everything looks great simply because your photos and videos are updated and "picture-perfect." While they may give you a good sense of your property’s overall aesthetic, relying solely on visuals can leave gaps in maintenance or cleanliness.
To counter this, make it a habit to have your property manager or cleaner send you updated photos and videos before each check-in. This provides a more realistic snapshot of the property’s condition right before a guest arrives and allows you to catch any potential issues before they escalate. By getting these updates, you can ensure that everything is in top shape for the next guest, and quickly address any concerns if something is off. Setting up a routine with your property manager or cleaner to send these updates on a consistent basis will help you stay on top of things and avoid any surprises.
Keep a Detailed Cleaning Checklist—and Keep Improving It
Having a checklist that covers all the aspects of your property, from major items like furniture to minor ones like light bulbs, is key. A checklist helps you and your team stay organized, track maintenance needs, and keep guest satisfaction high. As you receive feedback from guests, you’ll notice patterns of things that may have slipped through the cracks. That feedback is gold—it gives you an opportunity to continually refine your checklist and improve your service.
Here’s a list of items we’ve added to our checklist after receiving constructive feedback from guests. You can avoid the same mistakes we made by addressing these small yet crucial details upfront:
1. Well-Ironed Bedding
Ironed bedding seems like a small detail, but wrinkled sheets or pillowcases can detract from an otherwise clean room. It’s one of those things that can make a guest feel less comfortable. To avoid complaints, ensure that all bedding is freshly pressed before each new guest arrives.
2. Thoroughly Clean Sofas & Rugs
Sofas and rugs can get overlooked when cleaning. After all, they’re often out of sight, and it’s easy to assume they’re fine just because they look clean at a glance. However, especially with high-traffic areas like these, wet cleaning might be necessary to remove stains, allergens, and dust.
3. Check Wi-Fi & RO Water Systems
In today's digital age, reliable Wi-Fi is crucial. Always test the Wi-Fi before check-in to ensure the connection is working properly. Similarly, make sure your Reverse Osmosis (RO) drinking water system is in good working order—nothing’s more frustrating for a guest than running out of fresh drinking water mid-stay.
4. Water Pressure in Showers & Taps
Nothing puts a damper on a guest's stay like weak water pressure, especially in the shower. Before each booking, check both the shower and other taps to ensure the water pressure is consistent and adequate.
5. Clean Fans
Ceiling fans and exhaust fans can accumulate dust quickly. Make sure they’re cleaned regularly and are functioning properly. This is often overlooked, but it's a small detail that can make a huge difference to guest satisfaction.
6. Leftover Items in the Fridge (And Electric Kettle)
Guests appreciate a clean and empty fridge when they arrive. Leftover food or old condiments can create a bad first impression. Always check the fridge before new arrivals to ensure it’s spotless and ready for use. Don’t forget to also check inside the electric kettle! Any old water, mineral deposits, or leftover tea bags can make it feel neglected. Ensure that it’s clean and dry before guests arrive, so they can enjoy a fresh cup of tea or coffee without any surprises.
7. Empty Dustbins
Nobody wants to deal with someone else’s garbage, so make sure all trash bins are emptied before the next guest checks in.
8. Organized & Well-Equipped Kitchen
Your kitchen should not only be clean but also well-equipped with all necessary utensils, glassware, cookware, and dinnerware. Make sure everything is organized, so guests don’t have to search for what they need. Clean the kitchen appliances as well—microwaves, ovens, and coffee makers should all be spotless and functional.
9. Check Inside the Drawers
It’s easy to forget about the drawers in a rush to clean and organize. But guests often use them for storing personal items, so make sure they’re clean, organized, and free from previous guests’ belongings.
10. Enough Water Bottles in the Fridge
A small but significant touch: providing enough bottled water in the fridge can make your guests feel more at home. It’s a simple courtesy that shows you care about their comfort.
11. Inspect the Bathrooms Thoroughly
The bathroom is one area where cleanliness is non-negotiable. Check for soap scum, water stains, and any signs of mildew or mold. Ensure that towels are fresh, and that the shower and toilet are both spotless.
Performance Metrics for Your Cleaning & Maintenance Team
Having a checklist is important, but so is holding your cleaning and property management team accountable. A motivated team is key to keeping your property in excellent condition. One way to do this is by setting a performance metric with your cleaner or property manager. You can tie their incentive or compensation to the quality of the guest experience. For example, if any guest reports a cleanliness issue, you might withhold their incentive until the issue is addressed.
This system works because it encourages your team to take extra care in making sure that every detail is attended to. It also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their work, knowing their incentive depends on guest satisfaction.
A Smooth Stay Equals a Great Review
When you implement these steps, your guests will have a great experience without any issues. In the best-case scenario, they’ll never have to contact you about anything.
Everything from the cleanliness to the amenities will be seamless. For you, this means fewer guest complaints and, most importantly, positive reviews that can help grow your business.
If your property is a self-check-in setup, especially with a digital lock or lockbox, you may never even hear from your guests until they leave their glowing review. But that’s the goal—smooth sailing all around. A clean, well-maintained property ensures a pleasant guest experience and keeps your rental vacation business thriving.
Keeping your vacation rental clean goes beyond what the camera can capture. It’s about paying attention to the often-overlooked details that ensure a flawless guest experience. With the right checklist, regular updates, and a motivated cleaning team, you can keep your property pristine, avoid common mistakes, and deliver an exceptional stay that keeps guests coming back.
What’s on your Airbnb checklist? Feel free to share your top cleaning tips and insights in the comments below!
Comentarios