Airbnb Turnover Cleaning: The Host's Complete Guide

If you host on Airbnb in Oregon, you already know that cleanliness is everything. One bad cleanliness review can tank your listing's ranking, reduce bookings, and cost you thousands in lost revenue. The pressure is real — guests who pay $150 to $400 per night expect hotel-level cleanliness, and Airbnb's review system makes every turnover high-stakes.

Oregon's short-term rental market is booming. Portland, Bend, the Oregon Coast, and wine country properties in the Willamette Valley attract millions of visitors each year. Competition is fierce, and the hosts who consistently earn 5-star reviews share one thing in common: a bulletproof turnover cleaning system.

This guide covers everything Oregon Airbnb hosts need to know about turnover cleaning — from building the right checklist to hiring cleaners, managing same-day turnovers, and keeping costs under control.

What Is Turnover Cleaning and Why Does It Matter?

Turnover cleaning is the cleaning that happens between guests — after one guest checks out and before the next checks in. It is more thorough than a regular house cleaning but not quite a full deep clean. Think of it as a targeted reset that makes the property look and feel like no one has stayed there.

The Impact of Cleanliness on Your Airbnb Business

Airbnb's data shows that cleanliness is the most mentioned factor in guest reviews. A property with a 4.8+ cleanliness rating earns significantly more bookings than one at 4.5. Below 4.5, your listing may lose its Superhost status and appear lower in search results.

The math is straightforward:

• A consistently clean property earns better reviews.
• Better reviews mean higher search ranking.
• Higher ranking means more bookings.
• More bookings mean more revenue.

Investing in reliable turnover cleaning is not an expense — it is the foundation of your rental income.

The Complete Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Checklist

Use this checklist for every turnover. Print it out, laminate it, and give it to your cleaner. Consistency is what separates 4-star hosts from 5-star Superhosts.

First: The Arrival Check (5 Minutes)

Before cleaning, do a walkthrough to assess the property's condition:

• Check for damage to walls, furniture, and fixtures.
• Look for missing items (towels, remote controls, kitchen items).
• Note any stains, spills, or messes that need special attention.
• Check that all windows and doors are secure.
• Take photos of any damage for your records.

Kitchen

1. Wash all dishes, pots, and utensils (even if they look clean — guests sometimes put dirty items back).
2. Run the dishwasher with a cleaning cycle if dishes were left.
3. Wipe down all countertops, the stovetop, and backsplash.
4. Clean the microwave inside and out.
5. Clean the oven interior if it was used (check for splatters).
6. Wipe down the exterior of all appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, oven).
7. Clean inside the refrigerator. Remove all guest food.
8. Empty and clean the trash can. Replace the liner.
9. Wipe down cabinet fronts, especially around handles.
10. Clean the sink and faucet. Polish fixtures.
11. Restock dish soap, sponge, paper towels, and any provided supplies.
12. Sweep and mop the floor.

Bathrooms

1. Scrub and sanitize the toilet (bowl, seat, base, and behind).
2. Clean the shower and/or tub — walls, floor, fixtures, and door or curtain.
3. Clean the vanity, sink, and faucet. Polish fixtures.
4. Clean the mirror (streak-free).
5. Wipe down all surfaces, shelves, and towel bars.
6. Replace all towels with fresh, folded sets (bath towel, hand towel, washcloth per guest).
7. Restock toilet paper (full roll plus one spare visible).
8. Restock soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
9. Empty the trash. Replace the liner.
10. Clean the floor, including behind the toilet and in corners.
11. Check for mold or mildew and treat immediately (critical in Oregon's wet climate).

Bedrooms

1. Strip all bed linens — sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover.
2. Check the mattress and mattress protector for stains. Spot-treat or replace if needed.
3. Make the bed with fresh linens. Hospital corners, smooth surfaces, no wrinkles.
4. Arrange pillows and any decorative elements consistently.
5. Dust all surfaces — nightstands, dressers, headboard, lamps.
6. Empty and wipe out dresser drawers and closet.
7. Check under the bed for forgotten items.
8. Vacuum or mop the floor, including under the bed and in closets.
9. Clean mirrors and any glass surfaces.

Living Areas

1. Vacuum all upholstered furniture (remove cushions, vacuum underneath).
2. Fluff and arrange throw pillows and blankets.
3. Dust all surfaces — shelves, TV stand, coffee table, side tables.
4. Clean the TV screen with a microfiber cloth.
5. Test the TV remote and replace batteries if low.
6. Vacuum or mop the floor, including under furniture.
7. Clean windows if there are visible smudges or prints.
8. Empty trash cans. Replace liners.

Final Walkthrough (10 Minutes)

1. Set the thermostat to the welcome temperature.
2. Turn on any welcome lighting.
3. Verify all lights work — replace burned-out bulbs.
4. Check that all doors and windows lock properly.
5. Confirm WiFi is working.
6. Place the welcome guide or guest book prominently.
7. Do a smell check — the property should smell clean and neutral (not heavily fragranced).
8. Take "ready for guest" photos for your records.
9. Lock up and secure the property.

Managing Turnover Timing

Same-Day Turnovers

Same-day turnovers — one guest checks out in the morning, another checks in that afternoon — are the most common and most stressful scenario for Oregon hosts. Here is how to make them work:

• Set checkout at 10:00 or 11:00 AM and check-in at 3:00 or 4:00 PM. This gives you a 4-6 hour window.
• A 2-bedroom property takes 2-3 hours for a thorough turnover clean.
• Have a backup plan. Keep a second set of linens so your cleaner can strip and remake beds without waiting for laundry.
• Communicate with your cleaner the night before. Confirm the time and any special circumstances.

Oregon's Seasonal Patterns

Turnover frequency varies dramatically by season and location in Oregon:

During peak season, you may need turnovers multiple times per week. Having a reliable cleaning team — not just a single cleaner — is essential for high-volume periods.

Turnover Cleaning Costs in Oregon

Here is what Oregon Airbnb hosts typically pay for turnover cleaning in 2026:

Tip: Most hosts pass the cleaning cost to guests through Airbnb's cleaning fee. Set your cleaning fee to cover the actual cost plus a small buffer for deep turnovers that take longer (heavily used kitchen, stained linens, etc.).

Reducing Turnover Costs

• Volume discounts: If you have multiple turnovers per week, negotiate a per-clean rate with your cleaning service.
• Supply your own products: Some cleaners charge less if you provide cleaning supplies. Keep a well-stocked cleaning closet at the property.
• Laundry service: For high-volume properties, a commercial laundry service for linens is often cheaper and faster than having your cleaner handle laundry on-site.
• Preventative measures: Mattress protectors, furniture covers, and stain-resistant fabrics reduce the frequency of expensive deep turnovers.

Finding and Managing Turnover Cleaners in Oregon

What to Look for in a Turnover Cleaner

Turnover cleaning is different from regular house cleaning. Your cleaner needs to be:

• Reliable above all else. A no-show on turnover day is a disaster. You need someone who shows up every single time.
• Detail-oriented. Guests notice things homeowners overlook — a hair on the bathroom floor, a smudge on the mirror, a wrinkled pillowcase.
• Fast and efficient. They need to complete a thorough clean within a tight window.
• Communicative. They should report damage, missing items, and any issues immediately — ideally with photos.
• Available on short notice. Last-minute bookings and schedule changes are part of the Airbnb business.

Professional Turnover Cleaning Services

For hosts managing one or more properties, a professional cleaning service is often more reliable than an independent cleaner. Services like Otesse offer:

• A team of backup cleaners (no single point of failure).
• Consistent quality with standardized checklists.
• Photo documentation of each turnover.
• Damage reporting.
• Flexible scheduling including weekends and holidays.

If you manage Airbnb properties in Portland, Eugene, Salem, or along the I-5 corridor, contact Otesse about turnover cleaning packages designed specifically for short-term rental hosts.

Common Turnover Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not checking the oven and microwave. Guests use them and leave splatters. Your cleaner should check inside every appliance, every time.
2. Skipping under furniture and beds. Guests drop items, food wrappers, and tissues. What your cleaner does not find, the next guest will.
3. Reusing linens that "look clean." Strip and replace every piece of linen, every turnover. No exceptions.
4. Ignoring the smell. A property can look clean but smell stale, musty, or like the previous guest's cooking. Open windows during cleaning (weather permitting in Oregon), and address odor sources rather than masking them with air freshener.
5. No quality control. Trust but verify. Do a walkthrough yourself or have your cleaner send photos of every room after each turnover.

Elevate Your Airbnb Cleaning Game

Turnover cleaning is the operational backbone of a successful Airbnb business. Get it right, and you earn 5-star reviews, Superhost status, and consistent bookings. Get it wrong, and no amount of great photos or clever descriptions will save your listing.

Build a checklist, hire reliable people, communicate clearly, and never cut corners on cleanliness. Your guests are paying for an experience, and that experience starts the moment they walk through a spotless door.

Need a reliable turnover cleaning team for your Oregon Airbnb property? Get a free quote from Otesse. We serve hosts across Portland, Eugene, Salem, Corvallis, and the surrounding areas with professional turnover cleaning designed for the demands of short-term rentals.

Call 541-844-2585 or request a quote online.