Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Checklist for Scottsdale Hosts

In Scottsdale, a short-term rental lives and dies by its reviews, and “cleanliness” is the category guests are quickest to knock. One hair in the shower can cost you a star.

This is the checklist our team works from on every short-term rental turnover. Use it to train your own cleaners, or to check whether the company you use is actually covering it.

Kitchen

• Wipe and disinfect countertops
• Clean and sanitize the sink
• Clean the stovetop
• Wipe the outside of every appliance
• Clean inside the microwave
• Empty the trash and replace the liner
• Wipe cabinet fronts
• Clean the backsplash
• Wipe handles and light switches
• Sweep and mop the floor
• Spot-clean walls as needed

Host tip: guests open everything. Check the fridge, the dishwasher and the coffee maker for anything the last group left behind.

Bathrooms

• Clean and disinfect the toilet, including the base and behind it
• Clean and disinfect the sink and counter
• Scrub the shower and tub
• Clean mirrors and glass
• Empty trash and replace the liner
• Wipe handles and light switches
• Restock toilet paper, soap and towels
• Sweep and mop

Host tip: hair is the number one complaint. Check the shower drain, the floor behind the toilet and the vanity before you leave.

Bedrooms

• Strip the beds and remake with fresh linens
• Dust nightstands and surfaces
• Check under beds and inside drawers and closets for left-behind items
• Empty trash
• Vacuum or sweep and mop

Living areas

• Dust and wipe all surfaces
• Wipe the entertainment center and electronics (exterior only)
• Fluff and arrange pillows and throws
• Empty trash and replace liners
• Wipe handles and light switches
• Vacuum carpets and rugs, sweep and mop hard floors

Laundry (if it’s part of the turnover)

• Wash and dry linens and towels
• Fold and stage linens neatly
• Wipe the washer and dryer exterior
• Clean the lint trap

Before you lock up

• Walk every room once more, the way a guest would see it
• Take photos of each room, so you have a record if a guest complains
• Note and photograph any damage or missing items for the host
• Set the thermostat and lights the way the host wants them

Scottsdale-specific things to watch

• Pool and patio dust. After a windy day, patio furniture and sliding door tracks collect dust that guests track inside. Wipe the furniture and the door track every turnover.
• Hard water. Shower glass and faucets cloud up fast in rentals with heavy use. A quick squeegee and a descaling spray every turnover keeps it from building up.
• Peak season. Spring training, golf season and big event weekends stack check-outs and check-ins on the same day. Lock in your cleaning schedule early for those weeks.

Doing it yourself vs. having a team

Self-cleaning works when you have one unit and a flexible schedule. Once you’re handling same-day turnovers, multiple properties, or you live out of town, a reliable team matters more than anything else on this list.

Haven handles Airbnb and short-term rental cleaning across Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe and the rest of the Valley, working from this checklist. If you manage a few units and want a team that shows up on turnover day, tell us about your properties.