How to Get Your Airbnb Cleaned Between Guests: A Host's Guide

1. 01

   Step 1: Know exactly what your turnover includes

   

   Before you book anyone, write down every task your turnover requires. Most hosts need:

   • Strip and remake all beds with fresh linens
   • Clean and disinfect kitchen (counters, sink, appliances, floors)
   • Scrub all bathrooms (toilet, tub, sink, mirrors, floors)
   • Vacuum or mop all floors
   • Wipe down surfaces, light switches, door handles
   • Empty all trash and replace liners
   • Restock toilet paper, paper towels, soap, coffee
   • Check for damage or missing items

   If you provide welcome baskets, arrange furniture a certain way, or need the thermostat set to a specific temperature, list those too. The more detailed your checklist, the fewer surprises. Expect to pay $80–$180 for a standard two-bedroom turnover, more for larger properties or same-day rush jobs.

2. 02

   Step 2: Decide on your booking method

   

   You have three main options. You can hire an individual cleaner directly—often the cheapest route at $25–$40 per hour, but you're responsible for vetting, scheduling, and finding backup if they're unavailable. You can contract with a local cleaning company, which costs more ($100–$200+ per turnover) but provides insurance, backup staff, and consistent quality. Or you can book on-demand through an app.

   Apps like Lumo let you post the job with your checklist, photos of the property, and time window, then local cleaning pros bid or accept. You see their ratings, communicate in-app to clarify details, and pay securely after the work is done. The cleaner keeps 90% of what you pay, and you get a notification when they finish. For hosts managing multiple properties or tight turnaround windows, on-demand booking saves the hassle of maintaining a roster.

3. 03

   Step 3: Share access details and your checklist

   

   Once you've found a cleaner, send them everything they need to enter and complete the job. Include the property address, lockbox code or smart-lock instructions, WiFi password (if they need to confirm the job in-app), and parking information. Attach your detailed checklist or link to a shared document.

   Mention where you store supplies—extra linens, cleaning products, vacuum, mop, trash bags. If you use specific brands of toilet paper or want towels folded a certain way, say so. The first turnover with a new cleaner always takes longer because they're learning your system; budget an extra 30 minutes and offer to answer questions. Most cleaners will take before-and-after photos, which helps you verify quality remotely and provides documentation if a guest falsely claims the place was dirty.

4. 04

   Step 4: Schedule around your checkout and check-in times

   

   Look at your booking calendar and block time for cleaning immediately after checkout. If your checkout is 11 a.m. and your next check-in is 3 p.m., schedule the cleaner to start at 11:15 a.m. so they have the full window. For same-day turnovers, always add a 30-minute buffer; if the outgoing guest leaves late or the cleaner hits traffic, you don't want your incoming guest arriving to a half-cleaned rental.

   Many hosts set a default checkout of 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and check-in of 4 p.m. to give a comfortable five- to six-hour gap. If you get a booking with back-to-back check-in and checkout, either decline it, charge a rush cleaning fee, or keep a backup cleaner on speed dial. Consistent scheduling makes it easier to work with the same cleaner week after week.

5. 05

   Step 5: Inspect the work remotely or in person

   

   Ask your cleaner to text or send in-app photos when they finish—a shot of the made beds, the sparkling kitchen, and the bathroom mirror is usually enough. If you live nearby, do a quick walk-through yourself before the guest arrives. Look for the obvious misses: hair in the shower drain, crumbs on the counter, rumpled bedding, fingerprints on glass.

   Most issues come down to communication, not bad work. If you notice something, message the cleaner immediately with a photo and ask them to return and fix it, or note it for next time. If you spot a pattern—bathrooms consistently under-scrubbed, floors still dirty—have a conversation or find a new cleaner. Catching problems before the guest checks in saves your review score. If everything looks great, leave the cleaner a five-star rating and a tip through the app; good turnover cleaners are worth their weight in gold.

6. 06

   Step 6: Build a reliable rotation and backup plan

   

   Once you find a cleaner who does solid work and communicates well, keep them. Offer consistent bookings, pay promptly, and tip for rush jobs or holiday turnovers. Many hosts schedule the same cleaner every week or set up a recurring arrangement for all their turnovers.

   That said, everyone gets sick, has emergencies, or goes on vacation. Keep contact information for at least one backup cleaner, or use an app that lets you post a job to multiple available pros if your regular isn't free. Some hosts maintain relationships with two or three cleaners and rotate them, which also gives you leverage on pricing and quality. Write down your system—who to call first, where the checklist lives, lockbox codes—so if you're traveling or unavailable, a co-host or partner can handle the booking without scrambling.

7. 07

   Step 7: Track costs and adjust pricing if needed

   

   Add up what you spend on turnover cleaning each month: the cleaner's fee, restocking supplies, laundry service if you use one, and any damage or deep-clean surcharges. Divide by the number of nights booked to get your per-stay cleaning cost. If it's eating more than 15–20% of your nightly rate, you probably need to raise your cleaning fee on the listing or your nightly rate.

   Most Airbnb hosts charge guests a flat cleaning fee of $75–$150, which should cover or nearly cover your actual cost. If you're undercharging, you're subsidizing every stay out of pocket. On the flip side, if you're charging $150 but only paying $90 for cleaning, the difference helps cover linens, toiletries, and wear and tear. Review your numbers every quarter and adjust. Transparent pricing and a spotless property keep your calendar full and your reviews glowing.

Photos are illustrative. Service prices are typical ranges and vary by city. How we write our guides.