How to Choose a Cleaning Company for Your Short-Term Rental

A Professional Guide to Cleaners, Services, and Turnovers

Why Cleanliness Matters in Your Short-Term Rental

Guest Expectations and First Impressions

Guests expect hotel-level cleanliness when they book an Airbnb or vacation rental. That means spotless surfaces, fresh-smelling linens, and not a single hair out of place. In a world where travelers are more hygiene-conscious than ever, cleanliness isn't just appreciated—it’s demanded.

Your guests will start forming opinions the second they walk in. A streaky mirror or dusty fan blade may seem minor, but in the world of reviews, it can cost you. First impressions are hard to recover from, and when it comes to STRs, clean always equals professional.

Reviews, Ratings, and Repeat Bookings

Search through any Airbnb listing and you’ll quickly see a trend: the word “clean” shows up in nearly every five-star review. On the flip side, the absence of cleanliness is one of the most common complaints in low-rated stays.

And it’s not just about one bad review. Your cleaning service directly impacts your listing performance:



• Higher cleanliness scores boost your visibility on booking platforms.
  
• Consistently clean rentals increase your chances of achieving Superhost or Premier Host status.
  
• Great reviews drive word-of-mouth bookings and repeat guests.
  
  

If you want to grow your short-term rental income, investing in a reliable cleaning company isn’t just smart—it’s non-negotiable.

Types of Cleaning Services to Consider

Not all cleaning services are created equal. The right provider should offer more than just sweeping and mopping—they should understand the rhythm and expectations of short-term rental operations.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common cleaning types hosts should look for:

Regular Cleaning vs. Turnover Cleaning

Regular cleaning is your basic upkeep—light dusting, surface wipes, general maintenance between longer bookings. It’s good for low-occupancy periods or long-term stays.

Turnover cleaning is where most short-term rental cleaners shine. This service happens after every checkout and before the next guest arrives. It’s detailed, fast, and follows a specific checklist tailored for STRs.

A good turnover cleaning service should include:

• Changing bed linens and towels
• Sanitizing bathrooms and kitchens
• Emptying trash and replacing liners
• Restocking toiletries and consumables
• Checking for damage or left-behind items
• Resetting decor and staging the space

Your guests won’t know what was done—but they’ll notice everything that wasn’t.

Deep Cleaning and Seasonal Services

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Specialized Add-On Services

Some properties have extras that require additional care—and not all cleaning companies offer these. Look for providers that can handle:

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

Soft surfaces trap odors and wear down quickly in high-traffic STRs. Regular steam cleaning or shampooing can refresh your space and protect your investment.

Outdoor Space Maintenance

Got a grill, firepit, or patio set? Make sure your cleaning team keeps it guest-ready. This might include wiping down furniture, removing debris, and staging outdoor areas for arrival photos.

What to Look for in a Reliable Cleaning Company

Choosing the right cleaning company for your short-term rental isn’t just about cost—it’s about partnership. The best cleaners are proactive, reliable, and experienced with the pace and standards of Airbnb or Vrbo operations.

Here’s what to look for:

Experience with Short-Term Rentals

Not all rental cleaners understand the unique demands of STR hosting. Look for a provider that:



• Has verifiable experience with vacation rentals
• Uses a detailed cleaning checklist tailored for turnovers
• Understands how to stage the property for reviews and guest photos

Ask for references or examples of STR clients they’ve worked with—ideally, hosts who have high review ratings for cleanliness.

Insurance, Licensing, and Background Checks

Your cleaning team has access to your home, your guests’ belongings, and your reputation. Choose a company that:

• Is fully licensed and bonded
• Provides proof of liability insurance
• Performs background checks on all employees or contractors

This protects you legally and gives your guests an extra layer of security.



Communication and Reliability

Cleanings often happen on tight timelines. You need a company that communicates clearly and shows up when they say they will.

Look for cleaners who:

• Confirm appointments and send arrival/departure updates
• Notify you immediately of any issues or damage
• Offer digital tools or apps for scheduling and feedback

A missed clean means a delayed check-in—and possibly a refund. Reliability is key.



How Often Should You Schedule a Cleaning Service?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Your cleaning schedule should reflect your booking volume, guest expectations, and how much time you’re willing to spend managing turnovers.

Here’s how to dial in the right frequency for your property:



Determining Frequency Based on Booking Volume

If you host back-to-back guests with few gaps, you’ll need a professional cleaning service after every stay. In some cases, that might mean multiple cleanings per week.

For lower-frequency rentals:

• Turnover cleanings still apply after every guest
  
• Add maintenance cleanings every 2–4 weeks during downtime
  
• Schedule a deep clean at least once per quarter
  
  

Frequent bookings mean more wear and tear. A consistent cleaning schedule helps protect your property and your reviews.

Building a Cleaning Schedule That Works

To avoid missed cleanings or double bookings, sync your calendars with your rental cleaning company. Consider:

• Using a platform like Turno, iGMS, or Hospitable (more on that soon)
  
• Sharing access to your Airbnb calendar so your cleaner knows exactly when guests are checking in and out
  
• Setting automated reminders for seasonal deep cleans or special services
  
  

Some hosts even block a day every few weeks for a maintenance check-in, ensuring everything stays in perfect working order.



Managing Turnover Efficiently with a Trusted Cleaning Service

A smooth turnover is the heartbeat of your short-term rental operation. It’s not just about getting the space ready—it’s about resetting the guest experience so it feels clean, calm, and consistent every time.

When you partner with a trusted cleaning service, they become more than just your cleaners. They’re your frontline team for quality control, inventory management, and damage reporting—all in the short window between checkout and check-in.

Streamlining Guest Departures and Arrivals

Guests expect a polished, hotel-style presentation. That means your rental cleaners need to move quickly and precisely during every turnover.

An efficient Airbnb cleaning checklist typically includes:

• Removing used linens and replacing with fresh sets
  
• Sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens, remotes, and doorknobs
  
• Vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down all surfaces
  
• Resetting decor, furniture, and lighting
  
• Checking Wi-Fi, thermostat, and lock codes
  
• Notifying the host of anything unusual (damage, missing items, personal belongings left behind)
  
  

This level of detail matters—especially when you’re hosting back-to-back bookings.

Coordinating Restocking and Maintenance Tasks

The best cleaning services don’t just clean—they help you manage supplies, guest amenities, and the little touches that keep reviews glowing.

Linens, Toiletries, and Consumables

A great cleaning team will:

• Track and rotate linens for freshness and longevity
  
• Restock toilet paper, tissues, soap, shampoo, and pantry basics
  
• Notify you when inventory is running low
  
  

Many hosts keep a “host closet” or locked cabinet stocked with backup supplies so the cleaner never runs short during a turnover.

Reporting Damage or Missing Items

Things break. Guests accidentally take the wrong towels. And sometimes, they leave a bigger mess than expected.

Your cleaning company should:

• Inspect for damage during each turnover
  
• Take time-stamped photos for documentation
  
• Report issues to you immediately so you can resolve them before the next guest arrives
  
• Help you initiate damage claims through Airbnb or Vrbo when needed
  
  

When your cleaners are trained to think like property managers, you stay ahead of problems—and avoid messy surprises after check-in.

Choosing Between In-House and Outsourced Cleaning Services

As your short-term rental business grows, so does the question of scale. Do you build your own cleaning team—or do you partner with a professional cleaning company?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on how many properties you manage, your location, budget, and how hands-on you want to be. Below is a breakdown to help you choose the best path for maintaining a consistent, high-quality cleaning service.

Pros and Cons of Hiring In-House Staff

Hiring in-house means you’re creating a dedicated cleaning team to handle your rentals exclusively. This works well if you operate several units or want full control over your cleaning process.

Pros:

• Greater control over scheduling and standards
  
• Cleaners become familiar with your properties
  
• Potential cost savings over time for high-volume hosts
  
  

Cons:

• You manage hiring, training, and payroll
  
• You’ll need to provide cleaning supplies and equipment
  
• Backup plans are essential for staff absences or emergencies
  
  

Building an in-house team gives you consistency and loyalty—but it also adds complexity to your operation.

Benefits of Partnering with a Cleaning Company

Outsourcing to a professional cleaning service is a popular option for busy hosts or remote owners. A reliable rental cleaning company can take care of everything from basic turnovers to deep cleaning services, allowing you to focus on guest relations and growth.

Pros:

• No HR or scheduling headaches
  
• Access to trained, vetted cleaners
  
• Scalability—especially during peak seasons
  
• Many offer add-on services like inventory tracking or restocking
  
  

Cons:

• May cost more per clean
  
• Less direct control (though this can be mitigated with clear checklists and expectations)
  
  

For most short-term rental owners, outsourcing is the easiest way to ensure professional results without having to manage every detail.

Making the Right Choice for Your Property



Ask yourself:

• Do I want to manage a team—or just manage the outcome?
  
• How many turnovers do I handle monthly?
  
• Is my property in a market with reliable cleaning companies?
  
• What’s my long-term plan for scaling?
  
  

Many hosts start with a cleaning company and build an in-house team later. Others outsource everything to stay hands-off. The best choice is the one that keeps your property consistently clean, your guests happy, and your business running smoothly.

Tools to Help Hosts Manage Cleaning Schedules

Managing multiple check-ins and check-outs across different platforms can quickly become a logistical nightmare—especially if you're still relying on spreadsheets or text messages to coordinate with your cleaners.

Fortunately, there are powerful cleaning management tools that can automate the process, reduce human error, and keep your short-term rental operations smooth and scalable.

Here’s how to take advantage of tech tools designed specifically for hosts and cleaning services.

Calendar Syncing and Turnover Notifications

The best way to avoid missed cleanings? Connect your calendar directly to your cleaner’s workflow. Tools that offer calendar syncing ensure your cleaning team always knows when guests are checking out and when turnovers are required.

Look for platforms that:

• Integrate with Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com calendars
  
• Send automatic cleaner notifications as soon as a reservation ends
  
• Allow you to assign cleans manually or set rules for automatic assignment
  
  

Pro tip: Set a buffer between bookings (even just 2 hours) in case your cleaning service needs extra time or there's a guest-related delay.

Cleaning Management Platforms Worth Considering



These platforms were built for hosts who want to stay organized, automate cleaner coordination, and scale their operations without losing control.

Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB)

• Built specifically for short-term rental cleaning coordination
  
• Syncs with your property calendars and auto-assigns jobs to your cleaners
  
• Offers a marketplace of local cleaners if you don’t have your own team yet
  
• Cleaners mark tasks as complete and can upload photos
  
  

Turno is perfect for hosts who want full visibility without micromanaging.

iGMS

• A robust property management platform that includes cleaner task automation
  
• Allows you to create custom checklists for cleaners
  
• Sends automated job reminders and confirmations
  
• Tracks cleaning progress in real time
  
  

iGMS is ideal if you want an all-in-one platform for messaging, bookings, and cleaning.

Hospitable



• Offers smart automation for cleaner notifications and task tracking
  
• Integrates with your listings and sends customized messages to your cleaners after each checkout
  
• Ideal for solo hosts who want to reduce manual follow-up
  
  

Hospitable helps you maintain a personal touch with your cleaners, without sacrificing efficiency.

Bonus Tip: Create a Branded Cleaning Manual

If you’re working with multiple cleaners or rotating providers, consistency is everything. One of the best things you can do is create a branded cleaning guide with:

• A room-by-room checklist
  
• Staging instructions for photos or brand-specific setups
  
• Restocking quantities and product preferences
  
• Emergency contact numbers and Wi-Fi info
  
  

You can print it, laminate it, or store it digitally inside platforms like Turno or iGMS. The goal: make it easy for rental cleaners to replicate your standards—even if it’s their first time on site.

Final Thoughts on Hiring Airbnb Cleaning Professionals

In the world of short-term rentals, cleanliness isn’t just a detail—it’s your brand.

Every spotless counter, fresh towel, and well-placed throw pillow sends a message: You care. You care about your guests’ experience, about the success of your listing, and about creating a space people love returning to.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Hiring the right cleaning company—one that understands the unique rhythm of STRs—isn’t just about outsourcing a task. It’s about building a long-term partnership. One that allows you to scale, automate, and focus on what matters most: your guests and your growth.

Setting Expectations Early

Whether you go with an in-house team or outsource to a local cleaning service, clear expectations are everything. Define your standards from the start:

• Provide a room-by-room checklist
  
• Document how you want your property staged
  
• Clarify what to do in case of damage or guest complaints
  
  

This upfront investment will save you time, protect your property, and ensure your rental cleaners deliver consistently—even when you’re not around.

Building a Long-Term Partnership

Great cleaners don’t just clean—they become part of your team. They’ll learn your property, anticipate your needs, and help you avoid costly mistakes. And in return? Pay them well. Respect their work. Celebrate the value they bring to your business.



In fact, many high-performing hosts will tell you: a loyal, reliable cleaner is more valuable than any algorithm boost or premium listing badge.

Final Clean Takeaway

If you’re still wondering how to choose a cleaning company for your short-term rental, here’s the simple answer:

Look for reliability, STR experience, and a willingness to treat your space like their own.

Then give them the tools—and trust—to succeed.

Your guests will feel the difference. Your reviews will reflect it. And your calendar? Fully booked.



Ready to put your STR on autopilot?

Whether you’re scaling your listings or just tired of chasing down last-minute turnovers, investing in the right cleaning services will elevate your rental’s performance and your peace of mind.



Let your next five-star review start with the clean.