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The Ultimate Guide to Airbnb Cleaning: Preparing Your Home for Guests

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Preparing the house for the Airbnb guest

The Ultimate Guide to Airbnb Cleaning: Preparing Your Home for Guests

Hosting on Airbnb can be a rewarding experience, both financially and socially. But first impressions matter, and nothing turns guests off faster than a dirty or disorganized home. 

Whether you’re a first-time host or a seasoned Airbnb pro, this ultimate guide will help you prepare your home with the best Airbnb cleaning strategies to ensure 5-star reviews and repeat bookings.

Why is Airbnb cleaning non-negotiable?

Today’s guests expect hotel-level standards in vacation rentals. A clean home isn’t just a courtesy, it’s an expectation. Bad cleanliness ratings can hurt your listing’s visibility, reduce bookings, and even get your account suspended.

A professionally handled Airbnb cleaning:

  • Builds guest trust instantly.
  • Enhances guest comfort and satisfaction.
  • Prevents negative reviews and complaints.
  • Helps justify your nightly rate.

Host tip: Airbnb guests often notice the smallest details. Investing in professional Airbnb cleaning sets the tone for a 5-star stay.

Pre-arrival Airbnb cleaning checklist

Whether you’re cleaning yourself or hiring a service, these areas must be spotless before each check-in:

1. Living room & common areas

  • Vacuum rugs and mop floors.
  • Dust furniture, electronics, and baseboards.
  • Fluff and arrange pillows.
  • Wipe remote controls, light switches, and door handles.
  • Clean windows and mirrors.

2. Kitchen

  • Clean and disinfect countertops.
  • Wipe down appliances (microwave, oven, fridge).
  • Wash and put away dishes.
  • Empty and sanitize trash can.
  • Restock essentials (paper towels, dish soap, coffee, etc.).

3. Bedrooms

  • Change all bedding with freshly laundered sheets.
  • Dust furniture and vacuum floors.
  • Check under beds and inside drawers.
  • Set up clean towels and extra blankets.

4. Bathrooms

  • Disinfect toilet, shower, and sink.
  • Polish mirrors and faucets.
  • Restock toilet paper, soap, and shampoo.
  • Replace used towels with fresh ones.
  • Empty trash bin.

Special Airbnb cleaning touches that wow guests

Want to stand out from others? These small extras go a long way:

  • A welcome note or gift.
  • Local guidebook or restaurant tips.
  • Complimentary snacks or bottled water.
  • Travel-sized toiletries.
  • Fresh flowers or candles.

Post-checkout Airbnb cleaning essentials

After each guest leaves, it’s important to reset your space. This includes:

  • Washing all linens and towels.
  • Checking for damage or missing items.
  • Cleaning inside the fridge and oven.
  • Replacing air filters if needed.
  • Sanitizing high-touch areas thoroughly.

When to hire a professional Airbnb cleaning service?

Managing an Airbnb property is time-consuming. Between coordinating check-ins, messaging guests, and maintaining the listing, cleaning can become overwhelming. Here’s when it pays to call in the pros:

  • You host multiple guests per month.
  • You don’t live nearby or have time to clean.
  • You want consistent, high-quality results.

That’s where AA Cleaning comes in. Our team specializes in Airbnb cleaning and turnovers across South Shore, delivering hotel-quality results with a personal touch. From last-minute bookings to same-day turnarounds, we’ve got your back.

Why South Shore hosts choose AA Cleaning for Airbnb cleaning?

  • 20+ years of experience in residential and rental property cleaning.
  • Flexible scheduling and emergency availability.
  • Checklists tailored to Airbnb cleaning standards.
  • Fully multilingual team (English, Spanish, Portuguese).
  • Eco-friendly products and professional-grade tools.

Ready to impress your next guest?

Don’t let cleaning stress get in the way of your 5-star rating. Let AA Cleaning prepare your Airbnb with precision and care.

Schedule my first Airbnb cleaning