- Set four non-negotiables with your cleaners: communication, standards, time management, and inspection checklists.
- Align with Airbnb’s 5-step enhanced cleaning process and room-by-room tasks to protect ratings and bookings.
- Tight turnovers (often 3 to 4 hours) demand calendar-sync scheduling, photo proof, and 3+ linen sets per bed.
- ResortCleaning operationalizes all four guidelines with mobile checklists, automated scheduling, and real-time updates.
For Busy Hosts
- Confirm every clean, send real-time status, and report any damage immediately.
- Enforce your exact look with photo-based checklists aligned to Airbnb’s 5-step process.
- Schedule turnovers automatically from your Airbnb calendar and build time buffers for laundry.
- Finish with a room-by-room inspection and restock counts; require photo proof for critical items.
1) Prioritize Communication (no surprises, no missed cleans)
What "great" looks like:
- Confirm appointments automatically and send day-of reminders to cleaners and hosts.
- Live status updates (en route, started, paused, done) to keep turnovers on track.
- Instant damage reporting with photos/videos and notes, so you can act fast.
- Clear SOPs for late checkouts/early arrivals and last-minute bookings.
- Post-clean photo proof for critical areas (bathroom, kitchen, linens) to verify standards.
How ResortCleaning helps:
- Mobile app for hosts and cleaners with push notifications, status updates, and in-app messaging.
- Damage report workflow with photo/video uploads, timestamps, and notes.
- Automated confirmations tied to your Airbnb calendar import.
Mini summary: Proactive, structured communication prevents missed cleans and documents issues. It protects ratings and revenue.
2) Meet Cleanliness Standards (and show it with photos)
Align to Airbnb’s 5-step enhanced cleaning process (required):
- Prepare: Ventilate, select approved disinfectants, read instructions, and wash hands.
- Clean: Remove dust and dirt; sweep, vacuum, mop; wash dishes and laundry on high heat; wipe hard surfaces with soap and water.
- Sanitize: Apply disinfectants on high-touch surfaces; follow dwell time; let air-dry.
- Check: Use a room-by-room checklist to ensure consistency; share best practices with your team.
- Reset: Replace linens and supplies after sanitizing; clean your tools; avoid re-entering sanitized rooms before arrival.
Room-by-room checklist highlights:
- Bedrooms: Change linens, dust all surfaces, vacuum under beds, check for left items.
- Bathrooms: Scrub and disinfect toilet, sink, shower; replace towels; restock toiletries.
- Kitchen: Clean/sanitize appliances, wipe counters, empty dishwasher, mop floor.
- Living areas: Dust/polish furniture, disinfect remotes/switches, vacuum/mop floors.
- Dining + Laundry: Dust table/chairs, sweep/vacuum; wipe washer/dryer, empty lint traps.
High-touch surfaces and ventilation:
- Prioritize door handles, light switches, remotes, appliance handles; ventilate between stays.
How ResortCleaning helps:
- Photo checklists: Attach example photos for "exact look" standards and require photo proof on completion.
- Appointment notes: Add property-specific instructions (e.g., crib, high chair, hot tub tasks).
- Template library: Duplicate checklists across similar listings to ensure consistency.
Mini summary: Standards are non-negotiable. Tying them to photos and checklists gets consistent results and protects compliance.
3) Utilize Time Management (win the 3 to 4 hour race)
Turnover windows:
- Many hosts have only a 3 to 4 hour window. Laundry is often the bottleneck.
- Keep at least three linen sets per bed to avoid in-window washing and drying.
Scheduling best practices:
- Sync cleaning schedules to Airbnb check-in/out times and apply buffers.
- Flag same-day turnovers and set SLA times per property type.
- Route tasks to primary and backup cleaners to prevent gaps.
How ResortCleaning helps:
- Automatic scheduling based on your Airbnb calendar and rules.
- Alerts for late checkouts/early check-ins with auto-reschedule prompts.
- Time tracking and SLA monitoring per turnover.
Mini summary: Time is your scarcest resource. Calendar-sync, buffers, and extra linens keep you on time without sacrificing quality.
4) Complete a Custom Inspection Checklist (leave nothing to chance)
Inspection must-haves:
- Verify cleanliness plus supplies restocked: towels, linens, paper products, bath products, coffee/tea.
- Count inventory and set minimums; note low stock and auto-create restock tasks.
- Require photo proof for high-impact areas and after fixes/spot cleans.
Suggested inspection snapshot (customize per listing):
- Bedrooms: Sheets fitted tight; pillows fluffed; under-bed vacuumed; 2 spare pillowcases per queen.
- Bathrooms: No hair; grout wiped; 2 bath/1 hand/1 face towel per guest; 2 extra toilet paper rolls.
- Kitchen: Fridge shelves cleaned; coffee bar restocked; trash replaced; supplies labeled.
- Living: Remote disinfected; throws neatly folded; rug edges vacuumed.
- Outdoor: Entry sweep; furniture wiped; grill cleaned (if applicable).
How ResortCleaning helps:
- Build your inspection list with counts and required photos.
- Auto-flag missing items; create follow-up tasks before check-in.
FAQs for Airbnb Property Hosts
How do I keep turnovers on time when I only have 3 to 4 hours?
Pre-stage supplies; use 3+ linen sets per bed; sync cleaning schedules to check-in/out; add buffers; require live status updates.
What should be on my inspection checklist?
Room-by-room tasks plus inventory counts and photo proof: linens, towels, toilet paper, toiletries, coffee/tea; high-touch surfaces disinfected; appliances cleaned.
Do I need to follow Airbnb’s 5-step enhanced cleaning?
Yes. It’s required and includes prepare, clean, sanitize, check, and reset. Non-compliance can lead to penalties.
Your Quick-Start Action Plan
- Import your Airbnb calendar into our housekeeping software.
- Choose a photo checklist template; add your property’s "exact look" photos.
- Set time buffers and SLA targets for same-day turnovers.
- Require live status and photo proof on completion.
- Add an inspection checklist with inventory counts and damage reporting.
- Stock 3+ linen sets per bed; label bins and shelves for speed.
- Review your first turnover report before guest arrival.
Mini summary: In one setup session, you’ll move from manual chaos to photo-verified, on-time turnovers that protect your ratings.
Conversion-Ready Next Steps
- Import: Your Airbnb calendar and auto-schedule your first 3 turnovers.
- Download: Visual turnover checklist template with photo prompts (bedroom, bath, kitchen).
- See it live: 5-minute demo: photo proof, real-time status, and damage reports.
Sign up for a ResortCleaning demo to get started.
