You just got the checkout notification. Your next guest checks in at 3pm. Your cleaner is on their way. But do they know exactly what needs to happen in the next two hours?

If you're relying on memory (yours or theirs), something will get missed. A hair in the shower drain. A smudged mirror. Yesterday's coffee grounds still in the machine. These are small things, but they're exactly the things guests mention in reviews.

That's why every Airbnb host needs a turnover cleaning checklist. Not a vague one. A real, room-by-room list that your cleaner can follow every single time so the clean is consistent whether you're watching or not.

We built one for you. It's free. Download the checklist template here.

First, let's walk through what should actually be on it, and how to set up a turnover schedule that works without becoming your second job.

What Is a Turnover Clean?

A turnover clean is the cleaning that happens between one guest checking out and the next guest checking in. It's not a regular house clean. The timeline is tighter, the stakes are higher, and the details matter way more.

A standard turnover includes stripping and remaking beds, deep-cleaning bathrooms and the kitchen, restocking supplies, and doing a final walkthrough to make sure everything looks (and smells) guest-ready.

Most turnovers take between one and three hours depending on the size of your place. A one-bedroom apartment might take 90 minutes. A three-bedroom house could take closer to three hours.

The cleaning fee you charge guests should cover the full cost: your cleaner's time, supplies, laundry, and any restocking. Most hosts charge somewhere between $75 and $150 for a standard turnover.

Why You Need a Checklist (Not Just a Good Cleaner)

You probably already have a great cleaner. That's not the problem. The problem is consistency.

Without a checklist, the quality of each clean depends on your cleaner's memory that day. Maybe they usually wipe the remote controls, but today they forgot. Maybe they always check under the couch cushions, except when they're rushing.

A checklist turns a good clean into a reliable one. Your cleaner doesn't have to think about what comes next. They just follow the list, check it off, and move on.

That means fewer missed details, fewer bad reviews about cleanliness, less time spent texting back and forth ("did you remember to...?"), and a system you can hand to a backup cleaner without a two-hour walkthrough.

The Room-by-Room Turnover Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the biggest reasons travelers pick Airbnb over a hotel. Guests cook here, store groceries here, and make coffee here every morning. If the kitchen feels dirty, the whole place feels dirty.

Your checklist should cover: wiping down all countertops and backsplashes, cleaning the inside and outside of the microwave, wiping the stovetop and oven front, cleaning the inside of the fridge (removing any left-behind food), running or emptying the dishwasher, washing and putting away any dishes left out, cleaning the sink and faucet, wiping down cabinet fronts and handles, emptying the trash and replacing the bag, sweeping and mopping the floor, and restocking dish soap, sponge, paper towels, and trash bags.

A good rule: open every appliance. If a guest opens the microwave and finds splattered soup from the last stay, that's a review problem.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are where guests form their first impression of how clean your place really is. Even one hair on the floor changes the vibe.

Cover these: scrub and disinfect the toilet (inside, outside, base, and handle), clean the shower or tub (walls, door, faucet, drain), wipe down the sink and countertop, clean the mirror, wipe cabinet fronts and handles, replace all towels with fresh folded sets, restock toilet paper (at least one backup roll visible), restock soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, empty the trash and replace the liner, clean the floor (especially corners and behind the toilet), and check the exhaust fan for dust.

Fold the towels the same way every time. It sounds small, but consistency signals professionalism to guests.

Bedrooms

The bed is the single most important thing in your listing. Guests will forgive a lot, but not a bed that feels like someone else just slept in it.

Your checklist: strip all bedding (sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers), inspect the mattress protector for stains and replace if needed, make the bed with fresh linens (tight hospital corners or neatly tucked), fluff and arrange pillows, wipe down nightstands, lamps, and headboard, dust dressers and shelves, check under the bed for left-behind items, empty and wipe out drawers and closet, vacuum or mop the floor (including under the bed), and check that all lamps, outlets, and chargers work.

Before you strip the bed, check for stains that need pre-treatment. Tossing a stained sheet in the wash without treating it first usually sets the stain for good.

Living Areas

Living rooms and common spaces get the most varied use. Guests eat here, work here, and lounge here. You want it to feel fresh and totally reset, like no one was there before.

Include: vacuum upholstered furniture (check between and under cushions), wipe down all surfaces (coffee table, side tables, shelves), clean the TV screen and remote controls, dust light fixtures and ceiling fans, straighten books, games, and decor, vacuum or mop the floor, clean windows and glass doors (especially at kid-height), check all light bulbs and replace any that are out, and remove any personal items left by the previous guest.

Remote controls are one of the most-touched and least-cleaned items in any rental. Wipe them down every single time.

Entryway and Outdoor Areas

First impressions start at the door. If the entrance feels welcoming and clean, guests assume the rest of the place will be too.

Cover: sweep or mop the entryway, clean the front door (inside and out), wipe door handles and light switches, shake out or replace the doormat, sweep the porch, patio, or balcony, wipe down outdoor furniture, empty outdoor trash cans, and check exterior lighting.

Laundry

Your laundry routine is the backbone of the turnover. Start it first. The machines run while you clean everything else.

Include: wash all bed linens and towels on a hot cycle, dry thoroughly (damp linens smell musty fast), fold and stage linens for bed-making, clean the lint trap, wipe the washer and dryer exteriors, and leave the washer door open to prevent mildew.

Final Walkthrough

The walkthrough is the safety net that catches everything else. Do it last, every time, no exceptions.

Check: thermostat set to the right temperature, all lights off (except any welcome lights), all doors and windows locked, blinds and curtains set to a welcoming position, no cleaning supplies left out, wifi router working (test the connection), keys, remotes, and guidebooks in the right spot, a general smell check (no cooking odors, mustiness, or strong cleaning product scent), and take photos for your records.

The photo step matters. It's proof that the clean happened and the place looked great. If a guest claims otherwise, you have evidence.

How to Set Up a Turnover Schedule That Runs Itself

Having a checklist is step one. Step two is making sure the clean actually happens, on time, every time, without you being the one to coordinate it.

This is the reality most hosts live with: you check your Airbnb calendar, see a checkout on Thursday, text your cleaner, wait for confirmation, then hope everything gets done before the 3pm check-in. Repeat for every single turnover.

It works until it doesn't. Your cleaner misses the text. You forget to send it. A same-day booking pops up and you're scrambling.

The fix is automation. When your Airbnb calendar automatically creates cleaning tasks and notifies your cleaner, the back-and-forth disappears. Your cleaner knows what's coming. They know when to show up. They have the checklist. They check everything off and send photos when they're done.

That's exactly what Between Guests does. You connect your Airbnb calendar, invite your cleaner, and every turnover gets handled automatically. Your cleaner gets notified, follows your property's checklist, and sends photo proof when they're done. You verify from your phone. That's it.

No texting. No "did you see my message?" No wondering if it happened.

How Often Should You Deep Clean?

Turnover cleans handle the surface-level reset between guests. But over time, grime builds up in places your regular checklist doesn't reach: inside the oven, behind appliances, in grout lines, on ceiling fans.

Schedule a deep clean every three to six months, or roughly every 20 guest stays. Deep cleans cover: inside the oven and behind the stove, behind and under the fridge, grout scrubbing in bathrooms and kitchen, window tracks and sills, baseboards, air vents and filters, mattress deep-cleaning, carpet shampooing, and exterior window washing.

Some hosts schedule deep cleans during their slow season so it doesn't eat into booking revenue.

Download the Free Checklist Template

We built a printable, room-by-room turnover cleaning checklist you can hand to your cleaner today. It covers every area listed above in a clean, easy-to-follow format.

Download the Between Guests Turnover Cleaning Checklist (PDF)

Print it, laminate it, or share it digitally. Whatever works for you and your cleaner.

And if you want to take it further, Between Guests lets you build custom checklists for each property, assign them to cleans automatically, and get photo proof when the job is done. All for free if you have one or two listings.

Set Up Your Listing Free →

Between Guests makes turnover cleaning automatic for Airbnb hosts. Connect your calendar, invite your cleaner, and stop worrying about the clean. Free for 1-2 listings.