The Big Clean: How to Efficiently Turn Over a 4+ Bedroom STR
Managing a large short-term rental, think 4+ bedrooms, 8+ guests, can feel like running a mini-hotel. Between sheets, showers, and surprise messes, turn-overs can eat hours (and profits). The key? A system. With the right flow, time estimates, and pricing models, you can keep standards high without burning yourself (or your cleaning crew) out.
Step One: Know Your Numbers
Before diving into strategy, it helps to understand what a big turn-over actually looks like in terms of labor and costs. Also consider if you need to block off a night between guests. Yes, this impacts your bottom line, and conversely, if your property isn’t totally clean for new guests due to rushing, your 5 star reviews will be impacted. In the message boards, I read time and time again that the higher the nightly price and cleaning fee, the higher the expectations the guests have. So if you are offering a 4+ bedroom property, you can bet the guests expect everything to sparkle.
Further, consider if your cleaning crew is handling additional tasks such as inventory, re-stocking supplies, or handling laundry off-site.
Time Estimates by Bedroom Count
- 4 Bedrooms / 2–3 Baths (sleeps 8–10): ~4–5 hours (solo cleaner) or 2–3 hours (team of 2).
- 5–6 Bedrooms / 3–4 Baths (sleeps 10–14): ~5–7 hours (solo) or 3–4 hours (team of 2).
- 7+ Bedrooms / 5+ Baths (sleeps 15+): 7+ hours (solo) or 4–5 hours (team).
Time Estimates by Square Footage
- 2,000–2,500 sq. ft. → 4 hours average.
- 2,500–3,000 sq. ft. → 5 hours average.
- 3,500+ sq. ft. → 6–8 hours average.
Add 30–60 minutes if there’s a pool, hot tub, or extensive outdoor space.
Pricing Models
How much should you expect to pay (or charge) for this work?
Per Hour
- Typical range: $25–$50/hour per cleaner (varies by market).
- Large homes with complex amenities tend to run on the higher end.
Per Square Foot
- $0.10–$0.20 per sq. ft. is a common ballpark.
- Example: 3,000 sq. ft. x $0.15 = $450 per turn-over.
Flat Fee (Most Common in STR)
- 4–5 BR homes: $250–$400+ depending on beds, baths, laundry load.
- 6+ BR luxury homes with pools/spas: $500–$700+.
The Efficiency Flow
Big cleans are all about sequencing. You want appliances and machines working while you (or your crew) do.
- Start with machines:
- Load and start the dishwasher first.
- Strip all beds and start the first laundry load immediately (sheets, then towels).
- Triage bedrooms and bathrooms:
- Bedrooms: Strip, dust, wipe, vacuum → remake with fresh linens.
- Bathrooms: Spray cleaners right away (to sit and disinfect) → return later to scrub and rinse.
- Kitchen deep dive:
- Wipe every surface, inside microwave/fridge, restock essentials.
- Common spaces:
- Dust, vacuum/mop, fluff pillows, reset décor.
- Final touches:
- Check light bulbs, remotes, welcome book, and exterior spaces.
- Appliance finish:
- Unload dishwasher, rotate laundry, fold & stage linens.
Special Add-Ons
Large properties often come with extra maintenance tasks:
- Pools & Hot Tubs:
- Skim, vacuum, check chemical levels, clean filters.
- Add 20–45 minutes.
- Some hosts outsource this separately to a pool service ($75–$150/visit).
- Landscaping/Yard Reset:
- Pick up trash, tidy furniture, sweep patios.
- Add 15–30 minutes (or outsource weekly for $50–$150).
- Off-Site Laundry:
- If linens/towels are laundered off-site, factor in drop-off/pick-up fees ($1.50–$2.50 per lb).
- Time saved = less on-site folding, but costs increase.
Pro Tips to Save Time
- Double up linens: Always keep 2–3 full sets per bed so laundry doesn’t bottleneck you.
- Use checklists: Every cleaner should work from the same room-by-room list.
- Color code towels/sheets by size/room: Saves folding and matching time.
- Invest in pro gear: Backpack vacuums, commercial laundry machines, and microfiber systems cut time dramatically.
Sample Breakdown: 5 BR / 3 Bath Home (~2,800 sq. ft.)
| Task | Est. Time (Team of 2) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Start laundry + dishwasher | 10 mins | Keep machines running throughout |
| Bedrooms (5 total) | 90 mins | Strip, dust, vacuum, reset |
| Bathrooms (3 total) | 60 mins | Spray first, return to scrub |
| Kitchen | 45 mins | Surfaces, appliances, floors |
| Living/Dining | 30 mins | Dust, mop, décor |
| Outdoor (patio + yard) | 20 mins | Sweep, furniture reset |
| Pool/Hot Tub | 30 mins | Skim + chemical check |
| Laundry Rotation/Finish | 30 mins | Fold, stage linens |
| TOTAL | ~5 hours (team) | $350–$500 typical fee |
Final Word
Turning over a large STR property is no small feat: it’s part choreography, part endurance sport! But with the right systems (machines first, team roles, checklists) and realistic pricing, you can make big cleans both profitable and manageable.
And remember: guests rarely see the hours of sweat you put in, but they do notice when everything feels spotless, welcoming, and ready for memories.
