THE CLEANPAD FIELD GUIDE / 01

A vacation rental cleaning checklist you can actually work through.

Use a repeatable sequence for the work, then a separate review for the handoff. A ticked list records what someone did; it cannot inspect the property for you.

Download a blank one-bedroom / one-bathroom checklist PDF, or customize the rooms in the workspace.

1. Start with arrival and laundry

Walk through the property before moving belongings or starting the clean. Record damage and left-behind items so they are not confused with cleaning issues. Strip used beds and start the laundry early, allowing washing and drying to run while other rooms are cleaned.

2. Work through the kitchen and living areas

• Wash dishes, clear the sink and inspect the fridge for food left behind.
• Clean counters, handles and appliance fronts with products suitable for the surfaces.
• Dust reachable surfaces, reset cushions and remotes, then vacuum rugs, seating and floors.
• Add property-specific tasks, such as the coffee machine or game console.

3. Reset each bedroom and bathroom

Make each bed with fresh linen, inspect drawers and clean the floor. In bathrooms, clean the toilet, shower and basin; polish fixtures and mirrors; replace towels and empty bins. Set your checklist’s room count to match the property rather than using one combined bedroom checkbox.

A camera reminder is optional documentation in your own camera workflow. Cleanpad does not upload, retain or verify photographs.

4. Count supplies and review the exceptions

Enter the target for each item and the actual quantity counted. Blank counts remain unknown. Essential shortages must be topped up; they do not disappear just because the cleaning tasks are complete. Read the restocking guide to set useful targets, and the Airbnb Essentials guide for the items Airbnb lists per guest and per bed.

For an Airbnb listing specifically, the Airbnb cleaning checklist adds the Essentials and the 2026 checkout-request changes, and how to clean an Airbnb explains the order.

5. Finish with a separate inspection

Check access, windows, welcome settings and any reported defects. Assign each issue to a responsible person, record what was fixed and who reviewed the result. Use the final inspection guide before recording host confirmation.

Print, hand over and keep a backup

Cleanpad prints a blank checklist or the current turnover log. The CSV includes task states, issue follow-up, schedule and review fields for a spreadsheet handoff. Save JSON if you want to restore the entire local record later. Files are generated on your device; you choose how to share them.

Updated 29 October 2026