Vacation Rental Cleaning and Turnovers
Part of our series Let Others Pay for Your Vacation Home.
The "turnover" is everything that happens between one guest leaving and the next arriving. It's the most repeated job in the business, and cleanliness shows up directly in reviews. Vrbo says it weighs guest ratings on cleanliness when ordering search results (Vrbo sort order).
Turnover checklist
Arrive and check ☐ Walk the house and photograph any damage before cleaning (this matters for claims; see our damage guide) ☐ note missing items ☐ check the hot tub, grill, and outdoor areas
Strip and start laundry ☐ All beds stripped, protectors checked ☐ towels collected ☐ first load started right away
Kitchen ☐ Dishwasher emptied and run ☐ fridge cleared of guest food ☐ counters, stovetop, microwave inside ☐ coffee maker emptied ☐ trash and recycling out
Bathrooms ☐ Toilet, shower, tub, sink, mirror ☐ hair check on floors and drains ☐ restock toilet paper, soap, shampoo
Bedrooms and living areas ☐ Beds made to the same standard every time ☐ dust surfaces and remotes ☐ vacuum and mop ☐ under beds and sofas checked
Reset and restock ☐ Thermostat to the arrival setting ☐ doors and windows locked ☐ lights off except entry ☐ smart-lock code updated ☐ supply levels reported ☐ "ready" photos sent to the host
Hiring cleaners
- Ask local hosts who they use, or post in local host groups.
- Do a paid test clean and inspect it yourself.
- Agree in writing: price per turnover by home size, what's included (laundry? restocking?), same-day timing, and a rate for extra-dirty stays.
- Have a backup cleaner. Busy weekends and sick days happen.
- Pay promptly. Reliable cleaners have options.
Your pricing guide break-even should use what you actually pay the cleaner, not just the fee you charge guests.
Scheduling apps
Turno connects to your booking calendar, schedules cleans automatically, and has a marketplace for finding cleaners. Turno says it's free for hosts who use only marketplace cleaners, and charges $10 per property per month, or $96 per property per year, when you use your own outside cleaning team on two or more properties (Turno pricing). Turno's help center says hosts pay payment-processing fees on marketplace payments, and cleaners pay a platform fee (Turno Help). Many property management systems also include cleaning schedules (see our software guide).
Linen systems that save time
General practice among hosts: - Three sets per bed: one on the bed, one in the wash, one ready. - All white, all the same: easy to bleach and match. - Pre-bag sets by bed size (sheets + pillowcases) so cleaners grab and go. - Washer and dryer on-site speed things up; a linen service is an option where available (pricing varies; not confirmed). - Retire stained items to a rag bin right away.
Timing
Set check-out and check-in times that give your cleaner enough hours for the home's size, plus a buffer. If you often can't turn over same-day, consider a one-night buffer and see the gap-night tips in our calendar guide.
Related guides
- Furnishing and Setting Up a Vacation Rental
- Getting 5-Star Vacation Rental Reviews
- Vacation Rental Software and Management
- Back to the pillar: rent out your vacation home
Checked October 19, 2026. Hidden Villas has no business relationship with any vendor named here.