Who this is for: vacation rental hosts, property managers, and cleaning teams who turn over Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, serviced apartments, cabins, and holiday homes between guest stays.
This checklist covers a full whole-unit turnover: kitchen, living area, and laundry included. It's not a single hotel room clean. A hotel housekeeping checklist covers that instead, for properties with front-desk-operated rooms.
What's Included in This Template
- A room-by-room checklist covering every space in the unit
- A dedicated kitchen and laundry section, since whole-unit rentals need both
- A final inspection section before guests arrive
- A cleaning log for tracking who cleaned what, and when
Key Template Sections
- Property Preparation: the walk-through before cleaning starts.
- Bedroom, Bathroom, Kitchen: the core living spaces.
- Living & Dining Areas: shared spaces guests spend time in.
- Laundry & Linen: what gets washed and replaced between stays.
- Supplies & Amenities: restocking consumables guests expect.
- Outdoor Areas: patios, grills, and pool areas, if applicable.
- Final Inspection: the last check before guests arrive.
- Cleaning Log: the record tied to each turnover.
Property Preparation
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock property and inspect for damage | ☐ | |
| Open windows for ventilation, if appropriate | ☐ | |
| Turn on lights and check electricity | ☐ | |
| Set thermostat to host's preferred temperature | ☐ | |
| Report maintenance issues immediately | ☐ |
Bedroom
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strip used bed linens | ☐ | |
| Replace with clean sheets and pillowcases | ☐ | |
| Make bed neatly | ☐ | |
| Replace blankets or duvet cover if needed | ☐ | |
| Dust furniture, lamps, and headboard | ☐ | |
| Clean mirrors and windows, if required | ☐ | |
| Vacuum or mop floors | ☐ | |
| Empty trash bins | ☐ | |
| Check under the bed for guest belongings | ☐ |
Bathroom
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clean and disinfect toilet | ☐ | |
| Scrub sink and countertop | ☐ | |
| Clean shower, bathtub, and glass doors | ☐ | |
| Polish mirrors | ☐ | |
| Replace towels, bath mat, and washcloths | ☐ | |
| Restock toilet paper | ☐ | |
| Refill hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash | ☐ | |
| Empty trash bin and replace liner | ☐ | |
| Mop and disinfect floor | ☐ |
Kitchen
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wash and store dishes | ☐ | |
| Clean countertops and backsplash | ☐ | |
| Wipe cabinets and handles | ☐ | |
| Clean sink and faucet | ☐ | |
| Clean microwave, inside and outside | ☐ | |
| Clean oven and stovetop | ☐ | |
| Clean refrigerator and remove leftover food | ☐ | |
| Empty trash and recycling bins | ☐ | |
| Replace trash liners | ☐ | |
| Restock coffee, tea, sugar, and condiments, if provided | ☐ | |
| Sweep and mop floor | ☐ |
Living & Dining Areas
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dust furniture and décor | ☐ | |
| Vacuum carpets and rugs | ☐ | |
| Mop hard floors | ☐ | |
| Wipe tables, shelves, and TV stand | ☐ | |
| Sanitize remote controls, light switches, and door handles | ☐ | |
| Arrange cushions and furniture | ☐ | |
| Check Wi-Fi information card is available | ☐ |
Laundry & Linen
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wash used linens and towels | ☐ | |
| Inspect linens for stains or damage | ☐ | |
| Replace damaged items | ☐ | |
| Fold and store spare linens | ☐ |
Supplies & Amenities
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restock toiletries | ☐ | |
| Refill paper towels | ☐ | |
| Refill dish soap and hand soap | ☐ | |
| Check cleaning supplies | ☐ | |
| Replace batteries in remotes if needed | ☐ | |
| Verify first aid kit is stocked | ☐ |
Outdoor Areas (If Applicable)
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep entryway and patio | ☐ | |
| Clean outdoor furniture | ☐ | |
| Empty outdoor trash bins | ☐ | |
| Clean BBQ grill, if provided | ☐ | |
| Inspect pool or hot tub area | ☐ |
Final Inspection
| Task | Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check all rooms for cleanliness | ☐ | |
| Ensure windows and doors are locked | ☐ | |
| Turn off unnecessary lights | ☐ | |
| Set thermostat according to host instructions | ☐ | |
| Take post-cleaning photos, if required | ☐ | |
| Confirm property is guest-ready | ☐ |
Cleaning Log
| Date | Property Name/Unit | Cleaner | Check-in Date | Cleaning Completed | Supervisor Approval | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | ||||||
| ☐ | ||||||
| ☐ | ||||||
| ☐ |
How Do You Use This Checklist?
Work through the unit in order, not room by room at random.
- Walk through before cleaning starts, so damage or maintenance issues get caught early.
- Work room by room in order, not back and forth across the unit.
- Restock consumables every turnover, not just when something runs out.
- Complete the final inspection last, after everything else is done.
- Log the turnover immediately, so the next booking isn't a guessing game.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the property walk-through and missing damage before cleaning starts.
- Treating the kitchen as optional since it's not in every hotel room checklist.
- Forgetting to check under beds and furniture for guest belongings.
- Restocking supplies inconsistently between turnovers.
- Leaving the cleaning log blank, so accountability disappears between cleaners.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is this different from a hotel housekeeping checklist?
This covers a full unit: kitchen, living area, and laundry included. A hotel housekeeping checklist covers a single guest room instead.
2. Does this apply to hotel rooms listed on Airbnb or Vrbo?
Not usually. Hotel rooms listed as an extra channel still follow the standard hotel housekeeping checklist. They don't include a kitchen or living area.
3. How often should outdoor areas be checked?
Every turnover, if the property has one. Pools and grills in particular need a quick safety check, not just a wipe-down.
4. Should the cleaning log be filled out by the cleaner or the host?
Both. The cleaner logs completion. A supervisor or host approval adds a second check before the next guest arrives.
5. Can this checklist work for a serviced apartment instead of a short-term rental?
Yes. The same room-by-room structure applies, since both involve a full unit turnover between stays.
