If you operate a vacation rental, you’re aware that most holiday rental platforms encourage guests to rate their experience after they complete their stay.
Generally, visitors are either so thrilled with your property that they give it a 5-star rating, or so unhappy they write a negative review meant to discourage other people from booking your holiday home.
One of the most frequent reasons guests leave poor feedback is because the accommodation wasn’t clean enough.
A vacation rental property that doesn’t meet guests’ standards for cleanliness—be it smelly, dusty, disorganized, etc.—will undoubtedly receive bad reviews from upset guests, which can hurt your reputation as a host and cost you business. We don’t want you to experience that!
In this post, we’ll share a vacation rental cleaning checklist that will help you make sure your rental property is consistently spotless and ready for guests — potentially resulting in those all-important favorable reviews on Vrbo and Airbnb as well as repeat bookings.
What Equipment and Supplies Are Essential for Cleaning a Vacation Rental?
Gathering all the cleaning products and equipment you’ll need before you start cleaning can help you save time and effectively clean your vacation rental. Some supplies and tools you may need include:
- All-purpose cleaner, which can be used to wipe down general surfaces and countertops
- Degreaser. It’s ideal for removing stubborn grease from kitchen appliances, pans, and surfaces
- Glass cleaner to give your windows and mirrors that sparkle
- Disinfectant for killing germs in bathtubs, toilets, and other areas prone to germs.
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Spot remover to remove stubborn stains from your carpet
- Wood polish for tile floors
- Sponges
- Cleaning solution
- Squeegee
- Masks and rubber gloves to protect yourself from harsh germs and chemicals
- Trash bags for waste disposal
- Dusting spray, which will simplify the removal of dust with a cloth
- Microfiber cloths to clean surfaces without scratching them
- White vinegar, which you can use as a room deodorizer
- Bleach
- Vacuum cleaner
- Hair remover for getting rid of pet hair from furniture and the carpet
- Scrub brushes
- Bucket and mop
- Broom and dustpan
You can begin cleaning your vacation rental once you have the necessary equipment and supplies ready.
Living Room Cleaning Checklist
Upon entering a vacation rental, the living room is frequently the first space that visitors see. Their getaway could be ruined before it starts if they enter a filthy room.
The living room is also where guests will spend most of their time watching movies, catching up, playing games, relaxing, etc. As a result, it will probably be dirty when they go and will need extensive cleaning so it can be made neat, clean, and odor-free again.
Here’s a breakdown of what your living room cleaning checklist should include:
- Dust all surfaces, including coffee tables, shelves, window sills, and electronics. Don’t forget to dust picture frames and decorative items.
- Vacuum couches, chairs, cushions, etc., and check for and remove any stains or spills
- Sweep, vacuum or mop the floors, depending on your rental’s flooring. Don’t forget to do this under the furniture and rugs.
- Clean all windows, ensuring they’re streak-free
- Sanitize often touched items, including remote controls and light switches with a disinfectant wipe to remove fingerprints and germs
- If you have a fireplace, empty the ashes, clean it, and restock the wood
- Launder all the used throw blankets
- Rearrange games, books, and DVDs
- Straighten blankets, pillows, and decor
- Remove cobwebs from corners or the ceiling
Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
The kitchen is another busy spot where your visitors will gather to prepare and enjoy meals together. So, thoroughly clean it before they arrive by doing the following tasks:
- Sanitize all countertops and tables with a disinfectant. Ensure all crumbs and stains are removed.
- Wipe and organize cabinets and drawers, ensuring all utensils, glasses, and dishes are clean and properly arranged.
- Clean the outside and inside of all appliances, including the oven, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, and coffee maker. Make sure to check for any expired food items left behind by previous guests and dispose of them.
- Scrub the faucet and sink, removing any food particles or stains. Ensure the garbage disposal is functioning and free of odors.
- Sweep and mop the kitchen floor. Pay special attention to corners and under appliances where dirt and food particles accumulate.
- Empty the dustbin, replace the liner, and disinfect the trash area
- Restock kitchen supplies including towels, sponges, dish soap, and trash bags
- Dust the windowsills and clean the windows
Bedroom Cleaning Checklist
Research shows that having a tidy, well-organized bedroom can promote relaxation and improve the quality of your sleep.
To encourage better sleep patterns and help your guests fall asleep more quickly:
- Strip all slept-in beds and clean pillowcases, sheets, and duvet covers. While doing this inspect the mattresses for any stains and promptly remove any stains found to keep a pristine appearance.
- Remake the beds with fresh linens and ensure they’re neatly tucked and wrinkle-free
- Empty trash cans and wipe them down with a disinfectant
- Ensure all the necessary inventory is stocked in the bedrooms
- Dust all surfaces, including nightstands, dressers, and lamps
- Empty all drawers and closets. If you find any personal belongings left behind, notify your departed guest about them.
- Vacuum carpets and rugs or sweep and mop hard floors. Don’t forget to clean under the bed.
- Disinfect remotes and light switches
- Ensure there are ample hangers in the closets and organize them well
- Clean the windows, curtains, and blinds
- Replace any worn-out items, like lamps
- Add small touches like extra pillows, a blanket, or a welcome note to enhance the guest experience
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
Bathrooms are the last space on our vacation rental cleaning checklist. Make them shine because visitors are especially picky about their hygiene by:
- Cleaning and disinfecting the entire toilet, including the seat, lid, and base
- Scrubbing the shower walls, floors, and doors
- Using a vacuum or handheld broom to sweep up soap scum and hair from the shower floor
- Washing and disinfecting sinks and countertops
- Ensuring soap, tissue paper, and other amenities are enough and neatly arranged
- Getting rid of hard water stains with a solution of water and vinegar
- Cleaning the mirrors using a glass cleaner and microfiber until they’re streak-free and spotless
- Sweeping and mopping the bathroom floors, paying close attention to corners and around the toilet base
- Emptying the trash container, changing the liner, and disinfecting the trash area
- Swapping out used towels with recently cleaned ones. Please make sure there are enough hand towels, washcloths, and bath mats for the number of guests.
As you go about cleaning your vacation rental home, some maintenance tasks you could also regularly do to ensure your property is in top condition for your guests are:
- Inspecting the entire property for any damages or maintenance issues that need to be addressed
- Checking and cleaning HVAC air filters and vents to ensure proper airflow and air quality
- Checking all light fixtures and replacing any burned-out bulbs
- Ensuring smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly
- Checking that all amenities, such as kitchen appliances and entertainment systems, are in working order
Sky High Cabins: #1 in Big Bear Cabin Rentals & Management
If you own a vacation rental in Big Bear, let Sky High Cabins manage all your property details for you!
As a leading vacation property management services provider, we have a committed staff of cleaners who specialize in offering exceptional cleaning services following each guest’s departure, ensuring your home is always ready for the next arrival all year long.
To guarantee the highest possible standard of cleanliness, they adhere to a thorough cleaning checklist that includes deep cleaning every room, sterilizing high-touch surfaces, and inspecting every corner. Your guests will enjoy a pristine environment that feels just like home — or even better!
But that’s not all we do. At Sky High Cabins, we go beyond cleaning to offer a full range of management services that are tailored to meet your needs.
We take care of everything, from handling guest communications and designing unique experiences that wow your visitors to producing eye-catching listings that encourage additional reservations. We aim to deliver a flawless experience for you and your visitors, whether it involves arranging special amenities or swiftly attending to requests made by them.
Contact us today at 909-366-0706 or fill out our online contact form to discover how Sky High Cabins can help you maintain 5-star reviews with thorough housekeeping, enhance guest satisfaction, and earn more dollars with your Big Bear vacation rental.
