Find Short-Term Rental Cleaning near you

Short-term rental cleaning is the rapid, comprehensive reset of a property between guest stays. It's a specialized service focused on creating a spotless, welcoming, and guest-ready environment quickly and efficiently. This type of turnover cleaning is critical for maintaining high guest satisfaction and securing positive reviews, which directly impact your rental's success. Finding a reliable local provider ensures this essential task is handled professionally, allowing you to focus on hosting.

What is Short-Term Rental Turnover Cleaning?

Unlike a standard house cleaning or an annual deep clean, short-term rental (STR) or vacation rental cleaning is a high-speed, detail-oriented process designed for the hospitality industry. The primary goal is to transform a recently vacated property into a pristine space for the next arriving guest, often within a tight window of just a few hours ¹. This service is not just about cleaning; it's about resetting the entire guest experience.

A successful turnover ensures every guest walks into a home that feels fresh, sanitized, and meticulously prepared. It involves a systematic checklist covering every room, with special attention to high-touch surfaces and guest amenities. Consistency is key-each clean must meet the same high standard to build trust and earn repeat bookings ².

Core Tasks in a Standard Turnover Clean

A professional STR cleaning follows a detailed checklist to ensure nothing is missed. Here's a breakdown of what a thorough turnover typically includes:

Bathrooms

• Clean & Sanitize: All surfaces are disinfected, including the toilet (inside and out), bathtub, shower walls, and sink ¹.
• Polish & Shine: Mirrors and chrome fixtures are wiped clean and polished.
• Linen Change: All used towels, bath mats, and washcloths are removed and replaced with fresh sets.
• Restocking: Essential supplies like toilet paper, hand soap, and sometimes shampoo/conditioner are replenished ³.

Kitchen

• Surface Cleaning: All countertops, backsplashes, and the stovetop are wiped down and sanitized.
• Appliance Care: The microwave (inside and out), coffee maker, and toaster are cleaned. The exterior of the refrigerator and oven are wiped.
• Dish Duty: Any dishes left behind are washed, and the dishwasher is emptied if needed.
• Supply Check: Basic supplies like dish soap, sponges, trash bags, and coffee pods are restocked ⁴.

Bedrooms & Living Areas

• Bedding: All sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers are stripped and replaced with fresh linens.
• Dusting: All surfaces, including furniture, shelves, window sills, and electronics, are thoroughly dusted.
• Floors: All floors are vacuumed and/or mopped.
• High-Touch Points: Remote controls, light switches, door handles, and thermostat panels are disinfected ³.

General Tasks

• Trash Removal: All trash and recycling from inside the home are collected and taken to the appropriate outdoor bins.
• Inspection: A quick walk-through to check for any maintenance issues, damage, or items left behind by the previous guest.
• Staging: Fluffing pillows, arranging furniture, and potentially leaving a welcome note or guidebook to enhance the guest's arrival experience ².

How Long Does a Turnover Clean Take?

Time is the most critical factor in vacation rental cleaning. The window between a guest's checkout and the next check-in is often limited to just 2-6 hours. Professional cleaners are experts in efficiency, often working in teams to complete the job swiftly.

For a typical 1-2 bedroom property, a thorough reset can take 1.5 to 3 hours ⁵. A team of two cleaners can typically handle a 1,500 square foot home in about 3 hours ⁵. Larger homes (3+ bedrooms), properties with multiple stories, or those requiring extensive laundry (like multiple king-sized beds) will understandably take longer, sometimes up to 4-5 hours ⁶. The key metric for hosts is the "turn time"-minimizing this downtime is essential for maximizing booking potential ⁷.

Understanding Pricing for Vacation Rental Cleaning

Budgeting for cleaning is a major operational cost for hosts. Prices in the US vary significantly based on location, property size, and the level of service required. The national average cleaning fee charged to guests was around $161 in 2025, which hosts use to cover their cleaning service costs ⁶. Here's a general breakdown of what cleaners charge per turnover:

• Studio or 1-Bedroom: $40 - $90+ (average around $70) ^{6 8}.
• 2-Bedroom: $50 - $130+ (average around $90) ^{6 9}.
• 3-Bedroom: $70 - $150+ (average around $100-$130) ^{6 10}.
• Larger Homes (4+ BR): $150 - $300+ depending on square footage and complexity ⁹.

Cleaners typically use one of two pricing models:

1. Flat Fee per Turnover: The most common method. A set price is charged based on the property's size and standard checklist.
2. Hourly Rate: Sometimes used for larger or less predictable jobs, with rates typically ranging from $25 to $50 per hour per cleaner ⁹.

A common baseline for hosts to budget is between $100 and $250 per turnover ¹¹. It's important to view this not just as an expense, but as a direct investment in your property's reputation and revenue.

The Difference Between Turnover and Deep Cleaning

A turnover clean is a reset; a deep clean is a renovation-level refresh. Both are essential but serve different purposes ¹¹.

Turnover Cleaning (Between Guests):

• Frequency: After every guest stay.
• Focus: Speed, sanitation, and restocking. It addresses surface-level cleanliness and guest-ready presentation.
• Goal: Prepare the property for the next immediate arrival.

Deep Cleaning (Periodic Maintenance):

• Frequency: Quarterly, bi-annually, or annually.
• Focus: Intensive cleaning of often-overlooked areas. This includes cleaning inside ovens and refrigerators, washing windows, descaling showerheads, deep-cleaning carpets, dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures, and wiping down baseboards and walls.
• Goal: Maintain the long-term condition of the property and address grime that builds up over multiple turnovers.

A best-practice strategy involves scheduling regular deep cleans (e.g., every 3-4 months) in addition to your standard turnover service to keep your property in top shape ¹¹.

Why Professional Cleaning is Non-Negotiable for Hosts

Hiring a professional for your STR cleaning is one of the smartest operational decisions you can make.

• Guest Satisfaction & Reviews: Cleanliness is consistently the top factor in guest reviews. A single complaint about cleanliness can damage your rating and future bookings. Professional cleaners provide consistent, high-quality results that impress guests ².
• Time & Stress Reduction: Managing turnover logistics-scheduling, supply shopping, laundry, and the cleaning itself-is incredibly time-consuming. Outsourcing this to a professional frees you up to manage other aspects of your business.
• Expertise & Efficiency: Professional cleaners have systems, checklists, and often teams to complete the job faster and more thoroughly than an individual could. They know the hospitality standards required for a 5-star experience.
• Damage & Inventory Control: A good cleaner acts as your eyes on the property, reporting any damage, maintenance issues, or missing inventory immediately, allowing for quicker resolution.

Finding the Right Cleaning Service for Your Rental

When searching for a provider, look for services that specifically mention short-term rental, vacation rental, or turnover cleaning. Ask potential cleaners about their experience with platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, request a copy of their standard checklist, and discuss their pricing structure and availability for last-minute turnovers. Clear communication about expectations, key exchange, and supply management is the foundation of a successful partnership.

Frequently asked questions

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