Ultimate Short Term Rental Turnover Checklist

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Before You Start

Supplies Checklist

Stock your cleaning tote with:

• Disposable gloves – Hygienic and helpful for bathroom/kitchen zones.
• Lint roller – A MUST HAVE for our pet-friendly Airbnb.
• Paper towels – For gross areas like toilets and mystery kitchen messes.
• Microfiber cloths – Lint-free and reusable.
• Non-scratch scrub sponge – And be sure your guests have a brand new sponge for hand washing dishes if they choose. These Biodegradable and Compostable Natural Sponges are my favorite!
• Toothbrush – Gets into tight spots like behind faucets.
• All-purpose cleaner – Use for kitchen counters and bathroom surfaces. We personally use a vinegar and water mixture in a refillable glass spray bottle.
• Disinfecting wipes – Quick spot sanitizing in areas like light switches and door knobs.
• Glass/mirror/multi-surface spray – Streak-free shine. We personally use 70% rubbing alcohol in a glass refillable spray bottle.
• Toilet brush with disposable heads – Clean and replaceable.
• And bonus: the cleaning tote is compatible with a 4 gallon bucket – it nests just inside the top so you’ll be able to carry some additional items with you such as your soap refills, couple bottles of water, or any other supplies you may need to re-stock that you don’t want to store in your STR.

Bedrooms

• Strip all used linens (sheets, pillowcases, mattress pads).
• Inspect mattress and pillows for stains or damage.
• Remake beds tightly with crisp, white sheets. These are our tried and true favorite fitted sheets, flat sheets, pillow cases.
• Fluff and arrange pillows neatly.
• Dust all surfaces including headboards, lamps, and window sills.
• Vacuum floors and rugs thoroughly.
• Check under beds for forgotten items.
• Replace any welcome notes or mints, if you provide them.

Time-Saving Tip:
If you must do a load of laundry in order to turn over the property, collect all linens and begin the wash cycle first thing, then also start the dishwasher.

Bathrooms

• Remove all used towels, bath mats, and empty bins.
• Wipe down and disinfect:
  – Toilet seat, handle, and base
  – Sink and faucet
  – Shower/bathtub walls and floor
  – Countertops and mirror
• Refill or restock:
  – Toilet paper
  – Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
  – Hand soap (check pump works)
  – Clean bath mat and towels
• Replace:
  – Shower liner if moldy
  – Travel-size amenities if low
• Check drawers/cabinets for guest items left behind
• Read more in my other blog post: “5 Bathroom Cleaning Details Airbnb Hosts Always Miss (But Guests Notice Instantly)”

Some Favorite Products:

• Wall-mounted soap dispenser – Ours are still going strong after 8 years!
• White towels – Durable and affordable, we’ve only had to replace a few over the years. Treat stains, then wash with OxiClean every time and they stay bright white.
• Magic Erasers – Great for scuffs, grime, and mystery marks that don’t come out with a cloth. No need to spend the extra money on the name brand version of these!

Kitchen

• Load and run dishwasher (or hand-wash if needed).
• Wipe down and disinfect:
  – Countertops
  – Sink and faucet
  – Appliances (microwave, fridge handle, stovetop)
• Check inside:
  – Microwave
  – Fridge (no old food or spills)
  – Oven and drawers
• Restock:
  – Coffee/tea setup
  – Dish soap, sponge, trash bags
  – Paper towels
• Take out trash and recycling
• Sweep and mop the floor

Some Favorite Products:

• Coffee station organizer – For K-cups, sugar, and creamers.
• Electric kettle – In demand by international guests, we’ve found.
• Compact spice rack – Stylish and space-saving.
• Plus find more of our favorite kitchen essentials here!

Living Room + Common Areas

• Fluff couch pillows and fold blankets neatly.
• Dust and wipe down:
  – Coffee table
  – Remote controls
  – Lamps, picture frames, windowsills
• Check electronics:
  – TV remotes (batteries + functionality)
  – WiFi router (working)
• Vacuum couch cushions (under and between)
• Organize books, games, or guest guides

Efficiency Hack:
Use a UV flashlight to check for hidden stains in seating areas or bedding. Or maybe don’t if this grosses you out!

Entryway

This is the guest’s first impression! Also make sure the area doesn’t have any unpleasant odors. Keep in mind that some guests are more sensitive to fragrances such as plug-ins and spray air fresheners and could find these unpleasant.

• Sweep front porch or doormat.
• Disinfect keypad or lock handle.
• Replenish welcome materials:
  – Guest guide
  – Local maps, brochures
  – Business cards for recommendations

Laundry

• Wash and dry linens and towels in hot water.
• Use color-safe bleach or OxiClean on whites.
• Use dryer sheets or wool balls for softness.
• Fold and store spares in a locked closet or host-only bin.

We personally use sensitive-skin-friendly and fragrance free eco laundry detergent. Since our Airbnb offers a washing machine and dryer, we have the laundry sheets available for guest use, as well.

Final Quality Checks

• Turn on lights and walk through every room.
• Check for hair, odors, and smudges.
• Run the garbage disposal with lemon or vinegar cubes.
• Set thermostat to a guest-friendly temperature (for us, 60 in the winter and 70 in the summer, then the guest adjusts according to their preference)

Pro Tips for Faster Turnovers

• Use a checklist app like TurnoverBnB or Breezeway.
• Label bins and drawers so your cleaner knows exactly where things go.
• Keep cleaning products together in a tote or rolling cart so everything needed is in one place and easily accessible while moving through the property.
• Have backup linens/towels ready so you can do turnovers even if laundry isn’t done.

Going the Extra Mile

Install an electronic keyless entry lock

There are so many to choose from! They range from basic battery operated to fully remote and controllable via Wi-Fi wherever you are located. We chose this lock by Kwikset for multiple reasons.

• simple design, very user friendly
• fully operable in the case of a power outage since it’s battery powered and does not connect to Wi-Fi
• the batteries last about 6 months in our experience
• compatible with a physical key, so we have a separate lock box containing a key as an emergency back up
• easy to add new codes, although is programmed directly on the lock, not remotely
• can be re-keyed easily (no need for a locksmith)

While it’s not as feature-rich as other electronic locks, we find this provides us the most peace of mind in that the possibility for malfunction or accidental lock out is almost non-existent.

And, make sure to replace the doorknob if it has a locking component! I’ve heard so many times of guests locking the knob from the inside, exiting, then being unable to re-gain entry. We replaced ours with a matching “interior passage” knob. And bonus: it has built in Microban protection.

Leave some interior and exterior lights on

We personally always leave an interior floor lamp, the light above the kitchen sink, and the bedroom bedside table lamps on. Additionally, we have exterior lights that have a sensor and come on and go off automatically based on the daylight. We have had multiple reviews from guests that included comments such as “I felt safe and confident arriving after dark – thank you for leaving the lights on,” and “the area is well lit at night so made trying to find my way in much easier when I was new to the area.”

Provide bottles of water

After traveling and before getting fully settled, being able to get a quick drink of water without having to first riffle through the cabinets looking for glasses almost feels like a luxury. We provide one bottle per person, and note that some platforms require the host provide either bottled water or a filtering pitcher such as Brita. We offer both for that first night, and if a guest prefers to drink bottled water rather than tap or the Brita, they are welcome to visit the nearby store.

Prominently display the Wi-Fi info

After a drink of water, for me personally, I’m then looking to connect to Wi-Fi. When we first started out, even though this information was provided in our welcome binder, we still had guests messaging us asking for the password. A 4″ x 6″ picture frame set on a table near the entry with the Wi-Fi info and a friendly note will make getting settled in a breeze for your guests.

This is also a great area for a table lamp so guests aren’t arriving in the dark.

Those first few moments after a guest arrives are critical in setting the tone for the rest of their stay. We aim to not only say “welcome,” but create a welcoming environment that is comfortable and easy to navigate. Plus, staying one step ahead of the guest will reduce those late night texts and phone calls when they “can’t find the Wi-Fi password” or accidentally get locked out. Yes, we have lived and learned. And adjusted!