How to Clean a Holiday Let, Cottage or Airbnb

Reading Time: 8 minutes

It often feels like changeover days must be carried out with military precision, or they end up chaotic and stressful. Especially during the high season, when you have one guest checking out, then the next guest checking in a few hours later. You’re up against the clock to do a diligent clean, the laundry, check for damage, restock supplies, and round up discarded items from the last guests.

With so much to do in such a short amount of time, preparing your property for guests can be a huge task to undertake. To help you, we’ve put together this comprehensive changeover and cleaning checklist to ensure you don’t miss any of the essential touches that will make your holiday let the perfect home-from-home for your next guests.

While we list items per category below, at the bottom of the page, you can download the checklist to use for every changeover.

Why a holiday let cleaning checklist is essential

First impressions mean a lot, and if your guests arrive to find your holiday cottage has not been suitably cleaned, there is a stain on the bedding, or they can’t find a bottle opener – then your guests are likely to give you a negative review.

The benefit of having a cleaning and inventory checklist is that it provides a consistent standard for your changeover processes. It helps you check that items aren’t missing or damaged, ensuring that guests have everything they need for a positive experience.

Are you going to clean yourself or hire a cleaner?

The first decision you need to make is whether you’re going to do the cleaning yourself or hire a holiday let cleaner.

Although doing the cleaning yourself can cut down on expenses, it only makes sense if you have the time to commit to a thorough clean after every rental. If you can’t, you need to think about hiring a cleaner.

There’s an art to cleaning a home well, and hiring a cleaner who has experience cleaning holiday cottages can take the stress out of the process. They can follow your cleaning checklist and even use a cleaning app with step-by-step instructions. This post has some useful tips on how to choose a holiday let cleaner.

Allocate tasks for efficiency

If your changeover team consists of more than one person, then each person should be allocated tasks before they arrive to ensure there is no delay in making decisions on who does what.

One person should manage the maintenance, check for damage, fix anything and tackle the deeper clean tasks like the barbeque, oven and replenishing of products. That allows your other team member to get on with the main tasks at hand – beds, bathrooms, floors, etc.

If you have tasks, such as gardening or window cleaning, these will add quite a bit of time to your busy schedule. In this case, it’s a good idea to get an extra pair of hands and outsource to a local company. These chores only need to be completed every couple of weeks, but schedule these visits when guests aren’t around.

Invest in the best

Investing in tools like a steam cleaner can really save you a lot of time during changeover cleans and leave your home looking cleaner and fresher than just using mops. Plus, at the end of the season, you can use them to clean curtains, carpets, and upholstery.

The changeover checklist

If you only have a 3-4 hour changeover window (or less), it’s essential you tackle the biggest and most important tasks as a priority.

The first thing most owners do is read any new reviews in the guestbook to identify any issues, then it’s time to get started.

Do a visual check of the property for any damage, stains, missing items or if your holiday cottage was left excessively dirty. Take photos as evidence, as you may need them at a later date if you are deducting from a security deposit.

Kitchen

• Wipe and disinfect worktops, sink, units, chairs, tables, and baby equipment.
• Clean appliances (oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher, toaster, coffee machine) and check they are working. Hard-to-clean items such as the oven and barbeque should be tackled early on during the changeover, as you may need to apply a cleaning fluid and leave it to soak while you get on with other tasks.
• Sweep and mop the floor.
• Organise cupboards and remove any leftover food.
• Restock washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, bin bags, dishcloths, and replenish hand soap.
• Put out 2 clean tea towels and clean napkins.
• Empty bins and disinfect.
• Wipe place mats and coasters.
• Check cutlery, pots, pans, crockery, glassware and utensils for grime, breakages, or chips.
• Clean out crumbs in drawers and the bread bin.
• Add a welcome pack.
• Check the dishwasher in case any dishes have been left in there, if so, put them away.

Lounge

• Dust and wipe over all the surfaces – furniture, blinds, picture frames, shelves, window sills, skirting boards, ornaments, lamps and get rid of any glass rings.
• Inspect carpets, rugs, and soft furnishings for stains.
• Vacuum furniture, including under the couch cushions (empty vacuum cleaner bag if necessary).
• Remove any cobwebs – check corners.
• Clean windows, any internal glass doors, and mirrors.
• Empty the wastebasket.
• Check that remotes are working and the batteries haven’t been removed.
• Check the TV is working and log out of apps such as Netflix.
• Clean the log stove, replace the fuel, and set it ready for lighting.
• Remove any magazines and newspapers that have been left behind.
• Floors should be one of the last jobs on your list. Sweeping, mopping, or steaming is a relatively quick job. You can almost finish up on your way out the door.

Bathrooms

• Remove leftover toiletries.
• Empty bin.
• Wipe down units and the countertop.
• Clean shower, bath, sink (use grout cleaner if needed).
• Remove any plughole debris.
• Check silicone for mould/pink stains.
• Clean mirror.
• Shine taps.
• Clean the toilet and the toilet brush, check that the toilet flushes correctly and that the seat isn’t wobbly.
• Wipe the bath mat.
• Mop the floor.
• Restock liquid hand soap, toiletries, and toilet paper.
• Supply clean towels (check for stains on used).
• Double check the plumbing for leaks or potential problems.
• Check that the bathroom fan is working and not noisy.

Bedrooms

• Stripping and making the beds should be one of the main tasks, especially if you have to wash the linen while you get on with other jobs. It is a good plan to have at least three sets of sheets and towels available, preferably Egyptian cotton.
• Check for wear and tear, wetness or stains on linen, mattress covers, throws, and pillows.
• Check under the bed and in drawers for personal belongings left by guests.
• Vacuum the floor and under beds.
• Dust furniture, clean mirrors, and windows.
• Ensure ample hangers are available in wardrobes.
• Clear up rubbish and empty bins.
• If you provide hairdryers, check that they are working.

Exterior & garden

• Clean outdoor furniture and disinfect any outdoor eating areas/tables.
• Check for dog muck if you are pet-friendly.
• Check that the play equipment isn’t damaged.
• Clean the barbeque, ensure tools are clean, and there is enough gas/fuel for the next guests.
• Make sure paths are clean and not slippery.
• Pull weeds, trim bushes, mow the lawn and remove debris from the garden.
• If you have a hot tub, check the water, chemicals and that it’s working properly. Don’t forget to inspect the cover for damage. Follow the relevant health and safety checks (you can find out more here). However, it’s a good idea to outsource maintenance to qualified professionals.
• Remove any leftover rubbish and cigarette butts.

Laundry

• Are the washer and dryer empty and clean?
• Clean out the dryer fluff filter.
• Check that there are enough pegs.
• Check the clothes airer and ironing board function ok.
• Restock the washing machine detergent.

Is everything working?

Guests often don’t say when things aren’t working, so these checks will save you a call-out during the next guest’s stay.

Check:

• Ensure the heating and hot water settings are returned to normal, as guests frequently adjust the settings.
• Wi-Fi.
• Light bulbs, inside and out.
• TV channels.
• DVD.
• AC.
• Oil/gas tank – (check levels).

Pet-friendly cottages

• Clean the pet bed and the food/drinking bowls.
• Include dog treats in the welcome pack.
• Provide maps with local dog walks.
• Provide stair gates if required.
• Cover couches with throws.
• Provide cleaning towels.

Health and safety checklist

It’s important to ensure that your property not only looks perfect but is also safe for guests. Conducting a health and safety assessment of your property is essential at changeover, your risk assessment should also assist you.

Look out for hazards and remove anything broken or not safe. Check for loose carpets or rugs, broken light switches, slippery steps, or wobbly handrails. Visually check that your electrical appliances are safe to use and look out for cuts in wires and any other signs of damage. Replace faulty items immediately.

Make sure any hazardous cleaning equipment is stored in a safe and lockable location.

It is also vital that you test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working. Check that the fire extinguisher pressure dial has not dropped below the threshold level. Ensure that no ignition sources are left in the property (matches, lighters, etc), but if you provide them for the log burns, make sure that they are kept out of reach of children.

Instructions for guests pre-checkout

Make sure the arrival and departure times are clear in the booking contract, or you could be in for a nasty surprise when you come to do a quick turnaround clean and find guests still packing or eating breakfast.

Asking your guests to perform a few simple tasks before they depart can reduce the amount of work and save you a lot of time in the long run.

For example:

• Some bedrooms might go unused during a stay and therefore don’t require a linen change. To avoid unnecessary cleaning, ask guests to leave any unused linen in situ and to place any dirty laundry on the floor and used towels in the bathtub.
• Empty the bins, take out rubbish and remove any opened and perishable food.
• Return any furniture to its original location.
• Wash and put away any dirty dishes or load and run the dishwasher.
• Check drawers to make sure no valuables are left behind.
• Turn off the lights.
• Close windows and lock the doors.
• Leave the key.

Staging the property 

First appearances are everything in holiday lets, so wowing your guests as soon as they walk through the door sets the tone for the rest of their stay. Ensure your cleaners who prep your holiday cottage add those special finishing touches for an amazing guest experience.

• Check the guest information folder is intact.
• Leave a welcome pack if the guests are due to arrive soon. It’s a good idea to make up welcome packs beforehand, so you’re not running around buying gifts at the last minute.
• Before you leave the property check external doors and windows are locked.
• Leave the key in the key safe and change the key code after each visit, as it is likely to be a requirement of your holiday letting insurance.
• Ensure the lighting, hot water, and heating are on to welcome imminent guests (depending on the season).
• Add a vase of freshly cut flowers.

Holiday let damage checklist

Changeovers are the ideal time to check for damage caused by previous guests. Doing this as soon as the guests check out allows you to contact the guest about reimbursement for the damage (if you charge a deposit) and rectify the issue before the next guests arrive.

Where significant damage does occur and you’ll need to claim on your insurance. Take photos, or gather video evidence to prove the damage.

Carry out a deep clean at least twice a year

In addition to regular maintenance, a deep clean will be required at least twice a year to focus on those areas that there isn’t time to address during a busy changeover. Use this opportunity to replace any items that are damaged or show signs of wear and tear. This spring and winter maintenance checklist should help.

If you are shutting down your holiday let over winter, here is a checklist of what you will need to do to keep your holiday home in tip-top condition.

Useful tips to remove stains

You will inevitably discover stubborn stains that will need dealing with during the limited time you have to prepare your holiday rental for incoming guests. When you do, refer to these top tips to remove stains quickly.

To summarise

A structured changeover checklist allows you or your housekeeper to tackle the cleaning with military precision. This helps avoid complaints, nurtures happy guests, and happy guests write great reviews.

Plus, if you ever need a new cleaner, your checklist ensures they have all the information they need to ensure the property is spotless for incoming guests.

Please help other holiday cottage owners by sharing your changeover tips in the comments.