AIRBNB CLEANING: What Hosts Often Overlook
Why Turnover Cleaning Is Not the Same as Domestic Cleaning
A practical guide for Airbnb & short-let property owners
Airbnb Cleaning Is Time-Critical
Airbnb and short-let properties operate on tight turnaround schedules, often with only a few hours between check-out and the next guest’s arrival.
Unlike domestic cleaning, there is little to no margin for error.
A late or missed clean can result in:
Delayed check-ins
Guest complaints before arrival
Refund requests
Cancellations
Negative reviews that remain permanently visible
In domestic cleaning, a cleaner arriving an hour late may be inconvenient.
In Airbnb cleaning, that same delay can directly impact revenue.
Turnover cleaning is therefore not about “cleaning when convenient”.
It is about being ready on time, every time, regardless of weekends, holidays, or short notice changes.
Professional Airbnb cleaning must be:
Scheduled against booking calendars
Reliable even during high-occupancy periods
Supported by contingency planning
Without this structure, hosts are forced into last-minute scrambling, which increases stress and reduces service quality.
Guest Reviews Depend on Small Details
Most guests do not leave reviews stating that a property was “generally clean”. Cleanliness is expected as a baseline.
What guests do comment on are missed details.
Common review triggers include:
Hair left in bathrooms or on bedding
Limescale on taps, shower screens, or kettles
Unpleasant smells in kitchens or bins
Poorly made beds or stained linen
Inconsistent cleanliness between stays
These details may seem minor, but they are often interpreted by guests as a lack of care or professionalism. Even a single oversight can lower a rating, and repeated issues can push a listing down in search rankings.
Unlike hotels, Airbnb properties do not have brand buffers.
Each review directly affects:
Visibility
Trust
Conversion rates
This is why Airbnb cleaning must focus as much on presentation and inspection as it does on cleaning itself.
Common Airbnb Cleaning Problems Hosts Face
Many Airbnb hosts experience recurring cleaning issues, even when they believe they are working with “good cleaners”.
Common problems include:
Cleaners cancelling at short notice
Inconsistent standards between different cleaners
No reporting of damages, breakages, or missing items
No photo confirmation after cleans
No accountability when something goes wrong
In most cases, these problems are not caused by bad intentions.
They are caused by using cleaners who are not set up to handle short-let operations.
Domestic cleaners are typically:
Booked on fixed weekly schedules
Focused on surface-level cleanliness
Not required to inspect or report issues
Not accountable for guest experience
Airbnb turnover cleaning requires a different mindset, different systems, and clearer expectations.
What Professional Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Includes
A professional Airbnb turnover clean should be structured, repeatable, and inspection-based.
While the exact scope varies by property, a proper turnover clean typically includes:
Checkout Inspection
Before cleaning begins, the property is visually checked for:
Damage
Missing items
Excessive mess
Maintenance issues
This allows problems to be reported early rather than discovered by the next guest.
Bed Stripping and Reset
Beds are stripped, checked, and reset to a consistent presentation standard. Poor bed presentation is one of the most common guest complaints in short-let properties.
Bathroom Sanitisation
Bathrooms receive focused attention, including:
Toilets
Sinks
Showers
Taps and fittings
Sanitisation is critical, not just cleanliness.
Kitchen Reset
Kitchens are reset rather than deep-cleaned unless agreed otherwise. This typically includes:
Work surfaces
Sinks
Appliance exteriors
Cupboard fronts
Bin emptying
Floor Cleaning and Presentation
Floors are cleaned and presented to remove visible marks, dust, and debris.
Waste Removal
All waste is removed, including bathroom bins and kitchen refuse.
Visual Inspection and Reporting
A final walkthrough ensures:
Nothing has been missed
The property is guest-ready
Issues are flagged immediately
Optional Photo Confirmation
Many professional services provide photos after each clean to give hosts peace of mind and remote visibility.
This approach protects guest experience, host reputation, and operational continuity.
Why Airbnb Cleaning Should Be Treated as a Service, Not a Task
Airbnb cleaning is not a one-off job.
It is an operational service that supports your hosting business.
Reliable turnover cleaning:
Reduces host stress
Prevents last-minute emergencies
Protects guest reviews
Supports long-term occupancy and revenue
When cleaning is treated as an afterthought, hosts often end up spending more time managing issues than managing growth.
Professional Airbnb cleaning works best when it is:
Process-driven
Communicated clearly
Reviewed regularly
Scalable as portfolios grow
Consistency matters more than speed alone.
The Difference Between Single-Property and Portfolio Cleaning
The challenges of Airbnb cleaning increase as hosts move from one property to multiple units.
Single-property hosts often struggle with:
Backup cover when cleaners are unavailable
Scheduling conflicts
Inconsistent standards
Portfolio hosts and property managers require:
Standardised cleaning processes
Clear reporting
Reliable invoicing
Scalable support
This is where structured cleaning providers add the most value. A professional service can support both single-property hosts and multi-unit portfolios without compromising standards.
How Marcaspus Supports Airbnb & Short-Let Hosts
Marcaspus Cleaning Consultants provide professional Airbnb and short-let turnover cleaning designed for reliability, consistency, and accountability.
We support:
Airbnb hosts
Serviced apartment operators
Short-let landlords
Property management companies
Our service focuses on:
Reliable attendance
Consistent presentation standards
Clear communication
Structured cleaning processes
Support for both single and multi-property portfolios
Where appropriate, environmentally responsible products are used without compromising hygiene or guest safety.
This is short-let turnover cleaning, not domestic cleaning.
When Is the Right Time to Change Cleaning Support?
Hosts often wait too long before changing their cleaning arrangements.
You should review your cleaning support if:
You frequently worry about whether a clean will be completed
Guests mention cleanliness inconsistencies in reviews
You are managing cleaning issues more than bookings
Your portfolio is growing and systems are breaking down
Reliable cleaning is not an expense.
It is an operational investment.
Learn More or Request Support
If you manage an Airbnb or short-let property and require reliable, professional turnover cleaning, you can learn more or submit an enquiry via our website.
Marcaspus Cleaning Consultants
Airbnb & Short-Let Cleaning – Delivered to Professional Standard
