Turnover day separates hosts who consistently earn 5-star reviews from hosts who are always putting out fires. Everything happens in a compressed window — usually two to four hours between a guest checking out and the next one checking in. Done right, it’s a system. Done wrong, it’s a scramble.
This checklist covers every phase of a complete Airbnb turnover: initial walkthrough, room-by-room cleaning, restocking, and staging. Use it yourself, hand it to your cleaning team, or download the free printable version at the end of this post.
Why “Airbnb Turnover Checklist” Isn’t Enough
Most hosts search for a turnover checklist and get a basic cleaning list. Cleaning is one phase — but a complete turnover has four distinct stages, and skipping any one of them is what leads to bad reviews, missed maintenance issues, and guests messaging you mid-stay about missing supplies.
The four phases every Airbnb turnover checklist needs to include:
- Initial walkthrough — assess damage, missing items, anything that needs attention before cleaning starts
- Cleaning — room-by-room, methodical, nothing skipped
- Restocking — supplies, linens, toiletries, and welcome items brought back to par
- Staging — the final presentation that makes a property feel professional, not just clean
Work through them in order. Each phase builds on the previous one.
Phase 1: Initial Walkthrough (Before Cleaning Starts)
As soon as the guests check out, do a full walkthrough before your cleaner starts. This takes 10 minutes and catches issues that require decisions — not just cleaning.
What you’re looking for:
- Any damage to furniture, walls, or fixtures — photograph anything unusual
- Items that are missing (remote controls, kitchen tools, decorative pieces)
- Appliance issues — test the WiFi, TV, coffee maker, and HVAC
- Plumbing — check for slow drains, running toilets, dripping faucets
- Burned-out light bulbs (note which rooms)
- HVAC or air filter status — replace every 60–90 days
- Outdoor areas — condition of furniture, pathways clear, no trash left behind
- Keypad or lockbox functionality — confirm the code still works
- Anything a guest mentioned in a checkout message or recent review
Anything you find here either gets fixed before check-in or gets logged as a maintenance item. Don’t rely on memory — StayReady’s maintenance tracking lets you assign and monitor issues so nothing falls through the cracks between turnovers.
Phase 2: Room-by-Room Cleaning Checklist
Work through every room in sequence. Assign rooms when you have a team; work systematically when you’re solo. Start with rooms that have the most laundry impact (bedrooms, bathrooms) so linens can be in the wash while you finish the rest.
Kitchen
- Clear and wipe all countertops
- Scrub sink and faucet — no water spots, no food residue
- Clean stovetop, including under burners and around knobs
- Wipe inside the oven — check for drips or spillover from last guests
- Clean microwave interior and exterior
- Empty refrigerator of guest food, wipe shelves and door seals
- Run dishwasher if needed; unload and return all items to position
- Wipe cabinet and drawer fronts
- Empty all trash, clean bins, install fresh liners
- Rinse and reset coffee maker — remove old pods or grounds
- Confirm full dishware count (glasses, plates, utensils) matches your inventory
Living Room and Common Areas
- Dust and wipe all furniture surfaces
- Remove crumbs from sofas, fluff cushions, fold throw blankets neatly
- Arrange throw pillows in their standard positions
- Wipe remote controls — they’re handled constantly and rarely cleaned
- Clean all glass surfaces: windows, mirrors, sliding doors — no fingerprints
- Vacuum floors and area rugs
- Mop hard floors
- Wipe baseboards and light switches
- Dust TV screen with a dry microfiber cloth only
Bedroom(s) — Repeat Per Room
- Strip all bed linens and place in laundry immediately
- Inspect mattress pad — replace if soiled
- Install fresh linens — hospital corners give a hotel-quality look
- Vacuum or sweep under the bed
- Wipe nightstands and lamps
- Organize closet — hangers evenly spaced, extra blankets folded
- Vacuum carpet or mop hard floors
- Dust blinds and wipe window sills
- Empty trash and install a fresh liner
- Remove any items left by previous guests
Bathroom(s) — Repeat Per Bathroom
- Scrub toilet inside and out, including the hinge area and base
- Scrub sink and faucet — no water spots
- Clean mirror — streak-free, no fingerprints
- Scrub shower and tub — no soap scum, no residue
- Squeegee shower glass — polish dry
- Check grout — flag any discoloration or mold for maintenance
- Mop floor
- Install fresh towel set — fold consistently (tri-fold or roll)
- Empty trash and install a fresh liner
- Wipe exhaust fan cover if dusty
Entry, Hallways, and Laundry
- Wipe front door inside and out — this is a guest’s first touch point
- Shake or vacuum doormat
- Mop entryway and hallway floors
- Wipe down washer and dryer exterior
- Check washer drum for any items left by guests
Outdoor Areas
- Sweep patio or deck
- Wipe outdoor furniture — cushions checked for moisture
- Confirm outdoor trash and recycling bins are empty
- Check that pathways and parking areas are clear and presentable
Phase 3: Restocking Checklist
A spotless property with empty soap dispensers is still a 1-star review waiting to happen. Restocking is the phase most hosts underestimate — until a guest messages at 10 PM asking where the toilet paper is.
Every turnover, restock to your established par level:
- Toilet paper — minimum 4 rolls visible per bathroom
- Hand soap — refilled or replaced
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash — refilled (dispensers) or replaced (travel-size)
- Dish soap and a fresh sponge
- Paper towels — at least one full roll on the holder
- Trash bags — one in each bin plus 2–3 spare in the kitchen
- Coffee pods or ground coffee — standard quantity per your listing
- Dishwasher pods — restock to a minimum of 5
- Laundry detergent (if you offer a washer as an amenity)
- Welcome items — snacks, water bottles, local guide — restocked to your standard
Establish par levels, not guesses. Know how much of each item a typical stay uses, then set your restock quantity at 1.5x that number. Running out of supplies mid-stay is one of the most avoidable causes of low ratings. Use StayReady’s supply tracking tools to monitor levels across multiple properties without spreadsheets.
Phase 4: Staging — The Step That Separates 4.8 from 5.0
Staging is what turns “clean” into “impressive.” It takes 10–15 minutes and consistently influences first impressions — guests take photos on arrival and share them in reviews. A staged property looks like a place someone has prepared for them, not a place that was quickly vacuumed.
Staging checklist:
- All lighting turned on — confirm no burned-out bulbs, then set to arrival ambiance
- Thermostat set to a comfortable arrival temperature (72°F is a reliable default)
- Throw blanket folded and displayed on the sofa
- Decorative pillows arranged in standard positions
- Welcome note or card placed on the counter or coffee table
- Welcome snacks or drinks positioned attractively (if you offer them)
- TV off but instructions prominently visible (WiFi password card in clear view)
- All interior doors set to your standard (closets closed, bathroom doors open)
- Outdoor lighting or string lights confirmed on timer
- Final photo of each room taken — dated and filed
Get the Printable Playbook
📋 Free Download: The STR Turnover Day Playbook
One-page printable that covers all four phases — cleaner briefing, room-by-room inspection, supply restock triggers, and guest-ready sign-off. Hand it to your cleaning team and never miss a step.
How to Use This Checklist With Your Team
A checklist only works if your cleaner actually uses it. Here’s how to make adoption stick:
- Print it before every turnover — don’t rely on digital checklists being open during the clean
- Walk through it with a new cleaner in person before their first solo turnover
- Check the completed checklist at each visit until the process is automatic
- Update it when your property changes — new appliances, different products, added amenities
The goal isn’t to micromanage your cleaner. It’s to give them a tool that makes their job easier and protects their reputation as much as yours. A good cleaner wants a complete checklist — it removes guesswork and protects them from complaints about things they didn’t know to check.
StayReady turns this into a digital workflow: your cleaner checks off tasks on their phone, uploads completion photos, and you see it in real time — no text-thread coordination required. Start free →