How to Keep Your Vacation Rental Guest-Ready: Tips from Cleaning Pros

July 9, 2025

We all know first impressions matter—especially in the world of vacation rentals. A guest’s experience begins the moment they walk through the door, and nothing sets the tone quite like a clean, fresh space.

Whether you're managing one Airbnb or multiple listings, staying guest-ready between every stay is essential. At Clean Home Happy Home, we help vacation rental owners across Northern Utah maintain spotless, 5-star-ready properties every single day. Here's how to do the same.

🧽 1. Establish a Turnover Cleaning Routine

The best way to avoid guest complaints? A consistent cleaning process.

Every turnover clean should include:

  • Clean linens and towels
  • Spotless bathrooms
  • Sanitized kitchen surfaces and appliances
  • Vacuumed and mopped floors
  • Trash removed and bins relined
  • All surfaces dusted
  • Final walkthrough for missed items or damage

Pro Tip: Create a reusable cleaning checklist to ensure consistency—even during busy booking seasons.

🛏️ 2. Focus on the Big Three: Bedrooms, Bathrooms & Kitchens

These rooms leave the biggest impression—and often determine whether guests leave a 5-star review.

Bedroom essentials:

  • Fresh-smelling linens
  • Vacuum under the bed
  • Clean pillow protectors and mattress covers

Bathroom musts:

  • Hair-free sinks, tubs, and floors
  • Disinfected toilets and faucets
  • Restocked toilet paper and soap

Kitchen priorities:

  • No crumbs in drawers or cabinets
  • Inside appliances cleaned
  • Dishes washed and put away

👀 3. Inspect the Property Between Every Stay

Even the cleanest guests might leave behind surprises. After each checkout, inspect:

  • Closets and drawers
  • Trash cans and bins
  • Windows and mirrors
  • TV remotes and door handles

Pro Tip: Snap a few “after” photos as proof of condition in case of disputes.

🌿 4. Add Small Touches That Wow

Clean is essential—but hospitality is what makes your rental unforgettable.

Low-cost touches guests love:

  • A handwritten welcome card
  • Rolled towels or simple towel displays
  • A welcome basket with snacks or coffee pods
  • Air freshener or light, clean-smelling candles

These small extras can turn a good review into a glowing one.

📅 5. Schedule Recurring Cleanings During Busy Season

If you're hosting back-to-back guests, don’t risk burnout or missed details. Let a professional team handle your turnovers.

Clean Home Happy Home offers:

  • Same-day turnovers
  • Custom cleaning checklists
  • Last-minute cleanings
  • Reliable, trained cleaners

You stay focused on bookings—we’ll handle the mess.

🧼 Why Deep Cleaning Still Matters

Even with regular turnover cleanings, you’ll need a deep clean every few months to protect your property and keep it looking new.

A proper deep clean includes:

  • Scrubbing grout and tiles
  • Cleaning inside appliances
  • Dusting vents, baseboards, and fans
  • Cleaning behind and under furniture

This prevents grime buildup and keeps your home 5-star ready long-term.

🗓️ Use a Cleaning Checklist

To keep things consistent, create a custom checklist broken down by:

  • Daily tasks: trash, towels, bathroom surfaces
  • Weekly tasks: inside microwave, under furniture
  • Monthly tasks: full deep clean, vents, oven

Keep it printed or saved in your supply closet or with your cleaning team.

⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid

  • Relying on guests to “clean up” after themselves
  • Rushing the cleaning between check-ins
  • Skipping final walkthroughs
  • Ignoring negative cleanliness reviews

A missed detail can mean a lost guest—or a lost star.

💬 Cleanliness Drives Reviews

In the vacation rental game, cleanliness is king. It impacts your ratings, repeat bookings, and word-of-mouth referrals.

Guests may not remember every detail—but they’ll absolutely remember a spotless kitchen or a sparkling bathroom. Don’t risk your reputation.

📞 Need Help Staying Guest-Ready?

Let Clean Home Happy Home take the stress off your plate. We specialize in vacation rental cleaning throughout Northern Utah, including:

  • Utah County
  • Salt Lake County
  • Davis, Weber, Tooele & Morgan Counties

With flexible scheduling and a trusted team, we make sure your property is always ready for the next guest.

✅ Ready to Book?

📱 Call or text us today at 385-335-9697
🌐 Or visit www.getacleaninglady.com

free estimate