Airbnb Cleaning and Turnover Checklist for UK Hosts: Keep Guests Happy and Reviews High

Why Cleaning Is the Foundation of Every Successful Airbnb

In the short-term rental industry, cleaning isn’t just about hygiene — it’s about reputation. In the UK, where guest expectations mirror those of hotels, cleaning quality is one of the biggest factors that determines your review score, repeat bookings, and profitability.

A spotless property can earn you a consistent 4.9-star average and steady occupancy. A single dirty towel or dusty surface, however, can instantly damage your rating and visibility.

At The Online Management Company (TOMC), we’ve seen firsthand that cleaning is the most consistent driver of guest satisfaction. Below, we’ll share a full step-by-step Airbnb cleaning and turnover checklist designed for UK hosts, including professional standards, restock routines, and operational insights.

Step 1: Understand the Importance of a Turnover

A turnover clean is the process of preparing your property for the next guest after checkout. It’s not a simple tidy-up — it’s a full reset designed to make the property feel brand new every time.

Each turnover affects three critical outcomes:

1. Guest reviews – Cleanliness is the most frequently mentioned review category.

2. Occupancy – Cleaner properties are rebooked faster and more frequently.

3. Listing ranking – Airbnb’s algorithm favours listings with consistently high cleanliness ratings.

Even one negative cleaning review can push a listing off the first page of Airbnb’s search results, costing hundreds of pounds in lost bookings each month.

Step 2: The Professional Airbnb Cleaning Checklist

Here’s a breakdown of the exact checklist TOMC uses across our managed UK properties. This covers cleaning, quality control, and restocking standards.

Kitchen

• Wipe down all surfaces, including counters, tables, and backsplashes

• Clean and sanitise the sink, taps, and draining board

• Empty and clean bins (replace liner)

• Clean inside and outside of the microwave

• Clean hob, oven front, and extractor

• Empty and clean fridge (remove any guest items)

• Check all utensils, crockery, and glassware are clean and complete

• Refill coffee, tea, sugar, and condiments as per restock list

• Mop floors and check under appliances for spills

Living Room

• Dust all surfaces including skirting boards, shelves, and decor

• Wipe TV screens and remotes

• Vacuum and mop floors

• Plump and neatly arrange cushions

• Check Wi-Fi router and TV are functioning

• Replace or reposition decor and leaflets neatly

Bedrooms

• Strip and replace all bedding with freshly laundered linen

• Inspect mattress protectors and pillow protectors

• Wipe down bedside tables and lamps

• Check and restock hangers, extra pillows, and blankets

• Vacuum under beds and corners

• Open windows briefly for ventilation

Bathrooms

• Scrub and sanitise shower, tiles, and bathtub

• Clean and polish taps and mirrors

• Check drainage and replace shower liners if needed

• Wipe down all surfaces, including behind the toilet

• Restock toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo, and shower gel

• Mop floors and ensure no water residue remains

Hallways and Entrances

• Clean and sanitise handles, switches, and railings

• Vacuum and mop floors

• Check for odours and ensure air fresheners are replaced

• Remove any leftover items or clutter

Step 3: Restock Checklist for Every Turnover

Consistency is key. Every TOMC-managed property follows a standardised restock checklist to ensure guests have everything they need:

By maintaining these standards, hosts can prevent low-value complaints (“no bin bags,” “no coffee,” “not enough towels”) that often lead to lower review scores despite an otherwise great stay.

Step 4: Inspection and Quality Control

Professional cleaning is only half the equation. Without quality control, even great cleaners can miss details.

TOMC uses a two-step verification system:

1. Cleaner photos: Cleaners upload timestamped before-and-after photos to verify completion.

2. Remote inspection: Our operations team reviews photos and checklist submissions before approving the turnover as complete.

This ensures no guest ever checks in to an unprepared property, and every listing maintains hotel-grade consistency.

Step 5: Frequency and Deep Cleans

Even with regular turnovers, deeper maintenance is essential. TOMC schedules monthly deep cleans that include:

• Full oven and extractor cleaning

• Carpet and upholstery vacuuming or shampooing

• Window cleaning (inside and out where accessible)

• Filter checks on air vents and appliances

• Wall mark removal and paint touch-ups

For high-traffic listings (especially in central London and Manchester), deep cleans every three weeks are often ideal.

Step 6: Common Mistakes Hosts Make with Cleaning

Even experienced hosts often fall into these traps:

1. Relying on one cleaner without backup – If they cancel, the booking suffers.

2. No photo verification – Mistakes go unnoticed until a guest complains.

3. Skipping supply restocks – Small omissions cause negative reviews.

4. Overlapping check-ins – Cleaning teams need clear schedules and buffers.

5. Inconsistent cleaning quality – Leads to fluctuating reviews and lost ranking.

TOMC’s cleaning coordination solves all of these through structured scheduling, live task tracking, and cleaner accountability.

Step 7: Why Cleaning Impacts Your Airbnb Algorithm Ranking

Airbnb’s search ranking algorithm considers cleanliness rating, review frequency, and response time. Listings with consistent five-star cleanliness are automatically prioritised.

Even a 0.1 drop in average cleanliness rating can reduce your visibility by 10–15%.

That means poor cleaning doesn’t just lead to refunds — it directly cuts your future income. With TOMC’s professional cleaning network and automated tracking, we maintain a consistent 4.9-star cleanliness average across all managed listings.

Step 8: Partnering with TOMC for Cleaning and Turnovers

The Online Management Company provides nationwide cleaning coverage for hosts and management partners. Our teams handle:

• Turnover scheduling synced with bookings

• Key coordination with guests and cleaners

• Cleaning verification and inventory restocks

• Linen and supply management

• Emergency or same-day cleans when needed

For management companies, TOMC offers white-label cleaning coordination, meaning our team operates under your brand, using your systems or ours — allowing you to scale cleaning operations without increasing staff.

Step 9: How TOMC Ensures Every Property Stays Guest-Ready

Each TOMC-managed property has a standardised cleaning profile, including:

• Custom checklist tailored to the property layout

• Restock list connected to supplier orders

• Access instructions for cleaners

• Emergency contact and backup cleaner allocation

Cleaners receive automated notifications before every turnover, and TOMC’s operations team monitors completion in real time. If an issue arises — like a late check-out or last-minute booking — our system automatically adjusts cleaner schedules to avoid overlap or missed cleans.

This eliminates human error and ensures every property is ready before guest arrival, no matter how tight the turnaround.

Step 10: The Financial Impact of Better Cleaning

Hosts often see cleaning as an expense, but in reality, it’s an investment. Here’s how cleaning quality affects profitability:

A cleaner property not only performs better but also commands higher prices and secures repeat bookings — meaning the cleaning essentially pays for itself.

Summary

Cleaning is the single most powerful tool for maintaining consistent revenue and guest satisfaction in the UK Airbnb market.

A thorough cleaning and turnover routine improves:

• Guest experience and reviews

• Algorithm ranking and occupancy

• Long-term profitability and host reputation

The Online Management Company manages every turnover from start to finish — scheduling, verification, and restocks — ensuring that every property meets professional hospitality standards.

For individual hosts, this means hands-off hosting with consistent five-star reviews.
For management companies, it means seamless scaling with a ready-made cleaning infrastructure.

Either way, when cleaning is handled properly, your property performs better, earns more, and builds a trusted reputation with guests.