What does an Airbnb turnover clean include?
- Checking for damage, lost items and rubbish left by guests
- Stripping and remaking beds with fresh linen and towels
- Cleaning the kitchen, bathroom(s) and toilet(s)
- Dusting, vacuuming and mopping every room
- Restocking consumables such as toilet paper, soap and tea and coffee
- A final walkthrough with photos before the next check-in
What is the best order for a turnover clean?
- Check and photograph. Walk the property for damage or missing items before you touch anything.
- Start the laundry. Strip beds and bag towels, then run the first load.
- Empty all bins and take out rubbish and recycling.
- Clean the kitchen. Dishes, benchtops, appliances and floor.
- Clean the bathrooms. Toilet, shower, basin, mirror and floor.
- Remake the beds and set out fresh towels.
- Dust and vacuum bedrooms and living areas.
- Mop hard floors last, working back to the door.
- Restock supplies and reset the welcome items.
- Final walkthrough and photos to confirm the property is guest-ready.
What should be on an Airbnb cleaning checklist, room by room?
Entry and living areas
- Remove rubbish and any guest belongings
- Dust surfaces, shelves, TV and remote controls
- Wipe light switches, door handles and handrails
- Plump cushions and fold throws
- Vacuum sofas, rugs and carpets, then mop hard floors
Kitchen
- Wash or load and run dishes, then put them away
- Wipe benchtops, splashbacks, sink and taps
- Clean the microwave, oven door and cooktop
- Wipe the fridge inside, remove leftover food and check dates
- Empty and wipe the bin, and replace the liner
- Restock tea, coffee, dishwashing liquid and sponges
- Sweep and mop the floor
Bathrooms
- Disinfect the toilet bowl, seat, lid and base
- Clean the shower, screen, taps and plughole
- Wipe the basin, mirror and surfaces
- Replace towels, bath mat and toilet paper
- Empty the bin and mop the floor
Bedrooms
- Strip and remake beds with fresh linen
- Check under beds and in drawers for guest belongings
- Dust bedside tables and lamps
- Wipe wardrobe handles and check hangers
- Vacuum and mop floors
Balcony, laundry and outdoors
- Sweep the balcony or deck and wipe furniture
- Empty outside bins and check for rubbish
- Wipe the washing machine and dryer lint filter
- Check keys, lockbox or smart lock are ready for the next guest
What supplies should I restock between guests?
| Area | Restock |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | Toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo and body wash if provided, clean towels |
| Kitchen | Dishwashing liquid, sponges, tea towels, bin liners, tea, coffee and sugar |
| Bedrooms | Fresh linen set, spare pillow and blanket |
| General | Welcome note, Wi-Fi details, house rules, spare keys and batteries for remotes |
How often should a short-stay property be deep cleaned?
A turnover clean handles the guest-to-guest reset. Schedule deeper work on a calendar so it does not get missed. These frequencies are typical guidance, so adjust for your occupancy.
| Task | Typical frequency |
|---|---|
| Full turnover clean (rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, linen) | Every guest |
| Oven, fridge and cabinet interiors | Monthly |
| Skirting boards, light fittings and vents | Monthly |
| Carpet steam cleaning and upholstery | Every 3 to 6 months |
| Windows, tracks and curtains | Every 3 to 6 months |
| Full deep clean of the whole property | Quarterly or between long bookings |
Why photograph the property after every clean?
Dated before-and-after photos record the condition you left for the next guest and help if a booking dispute or damage claim comes up. Many hosts keep a folder per booking. PureNest sends before-and-after photos taken from the same angles within 24 hours of each clean.
Should I clean it myself or hire a cleaner?
Doing it yourself saves cash but takes time at every changeover, and the work lands at the same time as guest messages and check-ins. A cleaner follows the same checklist each visit. PureNest's regular house cleaning follows a room-by-room checklist and starts from $224.25 incl. GST for a studio, and a deep clean suits a property reset. PureNest also takes short-stay turnover bookings, including same-day changeovers and linen handling.
What mistakes do Airbnb hosts make when cleaning?
- Not checking for damage or lost items before starting
- Skipping the inside of the fridge, oven and microwave
- Forgetting high-touch surfaces such as handles, switches and remotes
- Not leaving enough time between check-out and check-in
- Running out of consumables because there is no restock list
Want a cleaner on your schedule? Request a free inspection or see regular house cleaning.
Related reading: Move-in cleaning checklist for NZ homes.