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How do I clean and prepare my Airbnb property for guests?

Posted6 April 2023
By53DegreesProperty
As an Airbnb host, maintaining a spotless and well-prepared property is crucial for ensuring a positive guest experience and garnering better reviews. We walk you through the essential steps to clean your Airbnb like a pro.

Creating a Comprehensive Cleaning Checklist

Start by developing a detailed, room-by-room checklist that covers every area of your Airbnb property. This will ensure you don’t miss any crucial cleaning tasks and maintain consistent cleaning practices. Your checklist should include:
  • Living areas: Dusting, vacuuming, and sanitising high-touch surfaces
  • Bedrooms: Changing linens, disinfecting surfaces, and checking for items left behind by previous guests
  • Bathrooms: Thorough cleaning and sanitising of all fixtures and surfaces
  • Kitchen: Cleaning appliances, countertops, and ensuring all dishes are washed
  • Outdoor spaces: Tidying up and cleaning any patio furniture

Gathering the Right Tools and Supplies

Before you begin the cleaning process, make sure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies on hand. Essential cleaning gear includes:
  • Disinfectant sprays and wipes
  • All-purpose cleaners
  • Glass cleaner
  • Microfiber cloths and paper towels
  • Mop and bucket
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Rubber gloves
  • Toilet brush and cleaner

Airbnb’s 5-Step Enhanced Cleaning Process

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb introduced a set of cleanliness guidelines called the 5-step enhanced cleaning process. This process provides a framework for maintaining high cleaning standards and ensuring guest safety. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
  1. Prepare: Ventilate the space, wash your hands, and gather your cleaning supplies.
  2. Clean: Thoroughly clean each room, removing dirt and debris from surfaces.
  3. Sanitise: Use appropriate cleaning chemicals to disinfect high-touch areas.
  4. Check: Refer to your cleaning checklists to ensure no area is missed.
  5. Reset: Prepare the space for your next guests by restocking essentials and disposing of cleaning materials safely.

Preparing Your Airbnb for the Next Guest

Once you’ve finished cleaning and sanitising your Airbnb, it’s time to reset the space for your next guests. This includes:
  1. Restocking essentials: Replenish items like toilet paper, paper towels, and soap.
  2. Setting out fresh linens and towels: Ensure each bed has clean sheets and provide enough towels for all guests.
  3. Checking appliances and amenities: Make sure everything is in working order, from the coffee maker to the Wi-Fi.
  4. Adding personal touches: Consider leaving a welcome note or local treats to enhance the guest experience.

Hiring Professional Airbnb Cleaning Services

If you find that maintaining your Airbnb property is too time-consuming or challenging, consider hiring a professional Airbnb cleaning service. Companies like 53 Degrees Property offer comprehensive cleaning and maintenance services, ensuring your property is always guest-ready and meets Airbnb’s cleaning standards.

Related FAQs

1. What are Airbnb’s rules on cleanliness for hosts?

Airbnb expects hosts to maintain a high standard of cleanliness for their listings. This includes ensuring common areas, bathrooms, and kitchens are clean and tidy, and free from dirty dishes, dust and health hazards such as mould. Hosts are expected to clean, take out rubbish and do laundry between every stay. Airbnb’s cleaning handbook, which you can access through your hosting account, provides comprehensive cleaning checklists and tips.

2. What areas should I focus on when cleaning my Airbnb property?

Prioritise cleaning high-touch areas such as door handles, light switches, remote controls and taps. Bathrooms and kitchens should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitised, including inside of appliances such as ovens and microwaves.  Check under furniture, ensuring that all floors and surfaces are clean and free from dirt, dust and pet hair. Bed linens and towels should be washed on a high heat.

3. What cleaning products should I use to ensure my property is sanitised?

Sanitising your property after cleaning can provide an added layer of protection against harmful microbes. Use a household disinfectant solution or spray that is labelled as safe for use on the intended surface. Follow the instructions on the label, paying attention to guidelines for dilution, application and contact times, and allow it to air-dry. This will ensure that it is effective in killing bacteria and viruses.

4. What cleaning and housekeeping duties should I expect of my guests?

Airbnb guests are not responsible for cleaning the property. However, they should not leave it in a state that requires extensive or deep cleaning. You can expect your guests to carry out basic housekeeping tasks such as:
  • Washing their own dirty dishes
  • Disposing of rubbish and recycling in designated bins
  • Mopping up any spills
  • Leaving rooms tidy upon departure
These expectations should be clearly communicated in your house rules.

5. Can I charge my Airbnb guests a cleaning fee?

Yes, Airbnb allows hosts to add a cleaning fee to their listings, which is included in the guest’s total cost when they book. This fee is designed to help you cover the cost of cleaning supplies or pay for a housekeeping service. It should not be used to pay for one-off deep cleaning fees or general property maintenance. You can add one flat fee for all guests, or charge a higher fee for longer stays.

6. What toiletries and other essentials should I provide for guests?

All Airbnb hosts should provide toilet paper, soap, bed linen and one pillow and towel per guest. However, to improve your guests’ experience, you may consider offering additional toiletries and amenities such as:
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Hand and body lotion
  • Tissues and wipes
  • Extra towels, pillows and blankets
  • Clothes hangers
  • A first-aid kit
  • Basic cleaning supplies e.g. disinfectant spray, disposable gloves and cleaning cloths
If guests have access to a kitchen, this should come with basic cookware, utensils and crockery as well as washing-up liquid and sponges.

7. How do I perform routine maintenance checks on my Airbnb property?

You should always perform routine maintenance checks between every stay. Regularly inspect appliances, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and safety devices (like smoke detectors) to ensure they are functioning properly. Check for signs of wear and tear or damage. Also inspect your property’s exterior and common areas for issues that may need attention.

8. What should I do if I discover an issue during a routine maintenance check?

If you discover an issue during a maintenance check, you should address it promptly. Always aim to resolve any problems before the next guest’s arrival to avoid inconveniences during their stay. If this is not possible, contact the guest to let them know. If the issue is serious, e.g. a broken boiler, it may be necessary to cancel their booking. Airbnb will work with the guest to help them find alternative accommodation.

9. Do Airbnb management companies provide cleaning and maintenance services?

Good Airbnb management companies, such as 53 Degrees Property, provide comprehensive cleaning and maintenance services. We will ensure your property is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised between stays, and restock essentials such as fresh linens, towels and toiletries ready for the next guest. As part of our Airbnb management service, we will also handle all necessary maintenance and repairs, offering a stress-free solution for hosts.

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