Turnovers are where short-term rentals are either won or lost.
Not in a flashy way… no guest ever leaves a review saying, “Five stars because the host used an efficient system.” But they will notice spotless bathrooms, fresh-smelling linens, streak-free mirrors, and that subtle feeling that the place was cared for, not rushed.
After years of hosting, talking to cleaners, and swapping war stories with other hosts, there’s a quiet category of low-effort, high-impact turnover hacks that don’t get talked about enough. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re time-savers. Sanity-savers. And in many cases, review-savers.
Below are 12 clever, real-world turnover tricks used by experienced hosts and professional cleaners to move faster without cutting corners, and to consistently deliver five-star-ready spaces.
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1. The Denture Tablet Toilet Trick (My Absolute Favorite)
It’s brilliant, if you ask me!
Drop one denture cleaning tablet into each toilet as one of the very first tasks. By the time everything else is done, the tablet has loosened stains, disinfected the bowl, and eliminated odors. A quick scrub with a toilet brush and you’re done.
Why it works:
- Hands-off cleaning time
- Fewer harsh chemicals
- Sparkling bowl with minimal effort
Many cleaners swear this saves 5–10 minutes per bathroom, which adds up fast.
Denture cleaning tablets are cheap, widely available, long shelf life. Then, use a disinfectant, such as rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and paper towel to wipe the toilet’s exterior. Don’t forget the handle!
2. Start With “Set It and Forget It” Tasks First
Professional cleaners don’t clean in room order — they clean in time order.
They start with anything that needs to sit:
- Toilet tablets
- Oven cleaner
- Shower spray
- Hard-water treatment on faucets
Then they move on to dusting, beds, and surfaces.
Why it works:
You’re overlapping “wait time” with productivity, instead of standing around watching bubbles work.
3. Keep a Dedicated Turnover Caddy in Every Unit
Not a shared supply closet. Not a mystery bin.
A dedicated, labeled cleaning caddy that lives in the unit, stocked with only what’s needed for that space.
Hosts report this:
- Reduces forgotten supplies
- Prevents cleaners from improvising with guest products
- Cuts restocking time dramatically
Pro tip: Include a printed inventory list taped inside the caddy lid.
4. Use Two Sets of Everything (Especially Linens)
This is one of the biggest “level up” moments for hosts.
Two full sets of:
- Sheets
- Duvet covers (no need to also get pillow shams – I personally don’t use them. I think the pillow cases that match the sheets are sufficient!)
- Pillow protectors
- Bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths
Why it works:
Cleaners can strip beds and remake immediately without waiting on laundry cycles. Laundry becomes a separate workflow, not a bottleneck.
Then, this allows the opportunity for laundry to be done off-site, freeing up valuable time when there are only a few hours between check out and check in.
5. Color-Code Linens by Room
This one comes straight from professional turnover teams.
Example:
- Blue tag = primary bedroom
- Green tag = guest room
- Yellow tag = kids room
OR:
- Blue tag = king size
- Green tag = queen size
- Yellow tag = twin size
You can use small ribbon loops, discreet stitching, or fabric tags guests never notice.
Why it works:
- Linens go back to the same room every time
- No mismatched pillowcases
- Faster bed-making
Cleaners love this. Hosts who do it rarely go back. Alternatively, limit the different sizes of beds throughout the property. I think limiting to only king and twin or queen and twin creates a small efficiency, compared to having to manage 3 or 4 different sizes of sheets. To me, sorting out those loads of laundry would be more frustrating than putting the duvet covers on!
6. Use Mattress Protectors You Can Actually Wash Weekly
Not all mattress protectors are created equal.
Veteran hosts use:
- Thin, breathable protectors
- Fully zippered or deep-pocket styles
- White or light-colored (so stains are visible and can be treated)
Why it works:
You can wash them more often without fighting bulky fabric or crinkly plastic sounds. Guests sleep better, and reviewers notice.
Helpful item on Amazon: washable, waterproof mattress protectors.
7. Keep a Mini “Emergency Reset Kit” for Quick Touch-Ups
This isn’t for full cleans. It’s for same-day saves.
Inside:
- Touch up wall and trim paint
- Super glue
- Spare light bulbs
- Ozone machine
- Screw driver
- Scissors
Hosts say this kit has saved countless turnovers when:
- A guest checks out late
- A cleaner is running behind
- You don’t have time to run to the store
8. Clean Top-Down, Always (Ceiling Fan First)
This sounds basic, but many rushed turnovers skip it.
Start with:
- Ceiling fans
- Light fixtures
- High shelves
Then move down.
Why it works:
Nothing ruins a clean faster than dust falling onto a freshly made bed. Guests will notice fan dust when they turn it on.
9. Use a Fabric Steamer Instead of an Iron
Ironing sheets is a time-sink. Steamers are faster, lighter, and more forgiving.
Experienced cleaners use steamers to:
- Smooth duvet covers
- Refresh curtains
- Remove wrinkles from pillow shams
Helpful item: handheld garment steamer (lightweight, fast heat-up). Fun bonus! If you want to add a fragrance, this steamer is compatible with essential oils. I’m not a big fragrance user myself (read more in the next section!) but I would maybe use a natural lavender oil on something like curtains in the bedroom.
Why it works:
You get crisp-looking beds without the perfectionism trap.
10. Skip Scent; Aim for “Smells Like Nothing”
Top hosts and cleaners agree on this one.
No plug-ins. No heavy sprays. No “signature scent.”
Instead:
- Unscented cleaners
- Fragrance-free laundry detergent
- Fresh air whenever possible
Why it works:
Neutral smells = clean to most guests. Strong scents = allergies, headaches, and lower reviews.
In fact, in my years of hosting, I’ve received 3 or so messages from upcoming guests inquiring about the laundry detergent I use, as they had concerns about their known sensitive skin. I switched to a fragrance free option after realizing this is an important consideration for providing guests with a 5 star experience.
11. Use QR Codes for Cleaner Instructions (Not Paper Notes Everywhere)
Instead of sticky notes taped inside cabinets, some hosts now use one QR code inside the supply closet.
It links to:
- Cleaning checklist
- Laundry instructions
- Owner notes
Why it works:
Instructions stay updated without reprinting. Cleaners always have the latest version.
Stay tuned for an upcoming post with exact steps to get this system set up!
12. Do a 90-Second “Guest Perspective Walkthrough”
Before leaving, cleaners (or hosts) walk the space pretending they’re the guest who just arrived.
They check:
- Under the couch and beds
- Toilet seats down
- Trash empty
- Lights set appropriately (I make sure exterior lights are on, plus one living room lamp and the primary bedroom night table lamps. I think it sends the message of “we are expecting you!”)
- Curtains aligned
- Remote controls visible and clean
- Heating/cooling set appropriately
This final pass catches small misses that cause outsized guest reactions.
Why These Hacks Matter More Than Fancy Decor
Guests forgive simple spaces.
They do not forgive dirt, greasy microwaves, smells, or signs of rushed cleaning.
These hacks:
- Save time without cutting corners
- Reduce cleaner burnout
- Improve consistency
- Protect your reviews
Five-star experiences are rarely about luxury. They’re about effortlessness, and that starts behind the scenes during turnover.
Final Thought
The best turnover systems don’t look impressive on Instagram. They look boring, repeatable, and reliable. And that’s exactly why they work.
If you’ve ever wondered how some hosts manage back-to-back bookings without stress – it’s not magic. It’s systems like these, quietly doing the heavy lifting.
