Owning a vacation rental property in San Diego is a fantastic business opportunity, however, it comes with its own set of challenges, the biggest being keeping the property clean and tidy. Everyone knows that guests expect to see spotlessly clean unit when they check-in. The first glimpse of the hygiene and neatness of your vacation home will leave a lasting impression. Most importantly, it will influence guest ratings and, ultimately, the success for your rental business. For this reason, it is vital to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. We understand that it can be time consuming, particularly in high season, but maintaining clean space is crucial for health and safety, guest satisfaction, great reputation, repeat customers, increased profit margins, low vacancies, attracting more guests, etc.
How To Clean Your Short-Term Rental Home
To help your short-term rental (STR) stay immaculately clean, we have created this landlord’s guide and cleaning checklist for each room of your property. We will also include useful tips and tricks, must-have supplies and materials, and other practices that will ensure your property is spotless and worthy of 5-star guest reviews. We’ll explain what a property management company does and how they can help you keep your property in top-notch condition.
Swell Property – Helping San Diego Landlords Keep Their Holiday Rentals In Top Condition
Swell Property is a notable rental property company managing San Diego vacation properties. We help owners of single rentals and owners of multiple properties in running all daily operations, including overseeing professional cleaning. Our comprehensive services cover cleaning, maintenance, tenant screening, advertising, rent collection, guest check-in, concierge, housekeeping, inspections, reporting, and many more. Over time, we have worked with hundreds of landlordswho have chosen to hand overall responsibilities of rental property management to us. Our proficient managers have extensive experience and broad knowledge in all matters of vacation rental business and will help owners like you in maintaining their rental properties in pristine state. As a result, your profits will rise, occupancy rates will be higher, and your expenses reduced. For assistance with operating a successful rental business, fill out a form, or contact us directly at (760) 452-2345.
Why Having A Cleaning Checklist Is A Must
With vacation rental market on the rise, the guests’ expectation are rising, too. Today, preserving a high level of hygiene is essential in this industry. If you want good reviews and rock solid host reputation you are challenged to meet those high standards. Cleaning, on the other hand, can be time-consuming and exhausting, requiring good coordination and attention to detail.
If you are in charge of cleaning your holiday home for rent, and need to make things easier and simpler, it is important to have a checklist because it provides detailed guidelines on when and what you have to do each time you are cleaning the space.
Here are some benefits of having a cleaning checklist:
- Stay organized, fast, and efficient even when you have time constraints (during turnovers)
- Improve guest satisfaction by meeting their high expectations
- Avoid errors, mix-ups, delayed service, or missed cleans
- Speed up the cleaning process
- Your property is always ready for guests
- Identify problem areas and maintenance issues faster
- Positive ratings and reviews; better host reputation
- Higher occupancy rates & increased profit
Supplies You’ll Need
For the best cleaning results, you’ll need the right supplies. The fact is that too many landlords forget how important it is to use non-toxic cleaning agents. They are safer, but just as effective. Continuous use of harsh chemicals poses health risks and can damage surfaces over time. Many tenants and their pets may also be allergic to certain compounds in chemical supplies. If possible, opt for non-toxic solutions, a preferred choice among the guests, too.
Below, we have compiled a list of essential products which will allow you to complete every task on the checklist. Keep in mind that products vary based on your location.
Appliances
- Powerful vacuum cleaner
- Steam cleaner (with or without mop)
- Handheld fabric steamer
Equipment
- Mop or Swiffer (wet and dry pads)
- Disposable and rubber gloves
- Microfiber cloths
- Squeegee
- Lint roller/hair remover
- Magic Eraser
- Pumice stone
- Scrub brushes and pads
- Buckets
- Broom & dustpan
- Dusters
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Garbage bags
Specialty items
- Glass stovetop scraper
- Grout brush
- Granite cleaner, cloth & brush
- Leather cleaner
- Fabric protector for outdoor furniture
- Pet hair remover
- Grill/griddle cleaner
Cleaning agents
- Glass cleaner
- Upholstery cleaner
- Oven cleaner
- All-purpose cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Tile & grout cleaner
- Floor cleaner
- Stainless steel polish
- Carpet cleaner
- Spot remover
- Degreaser
- Detergent
- Dusting spray
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Wood polish
- Multi-surface disinfectant
- Oven degreaser
- Bleach
Cleaning Checklist For Every Room
We have designed this checklist and planned every detail of your cleaning duties to help you speed up the cleaning process. Simply follow the items in order of appearance and keep your checklist handy.
To save time and avoid re-cleaning it’s recommended to use top to down cleaning strategy, working your way from the room you just cleaned in order to avoid messing up freshly cleaned surfaces.
Although some of the items on our list may might seem basic, if you miss them, it can impact your guest experiences significantly.
Common/specialty areas & items
- Wash pet bedding & pet toys
- Clean, wash and sanitize pet food bowls
- Hot tub – clean the filters, the shell, flush the pipelines, sanitize water
- Swimming pool – skim, vacuum, brush, filters, pumps, shock, test, sanitize
Kitchen
- Start with oven cleaning
- Put clean dishes away
- Toss expired items from pantry and cupboards
- Remove leftover food (crumbs from toaster and drawers)
- Wipe light fixtures and the range hood
- Wipe down backsplash and countertops
- Deep clean the fridge and freezer
- Clean cupboards, shelves, doors and door handles
- Clean the microwave inside out; disinfect
- Coffee maker – empty, clean, restock filters & pods
- Kitchen appliances – wipe down, neatly put away
- Pots & pans – clean and organize neatly
- Sink – clean out the filter, polish and disinfect
- Dishwasher – interior, exterior, the seal
- Stovetop
- Kitchen table, chairs, kitchen island, breakfast nook
- Garbage can – empty, clean, disinfect, remove odors
- Restock basic supplies (paper towels, sponges, trash bags, towels, etc.)
Bathroom
- Start with soaking the toilet
- Remove products that are in your way
- Remove hair from drains
- Throw out the trash
- Wash towels and bath mats
- Non-slip mat – deep clean or replace
- Lightwitches, ceiling lights, windows
- Walls – clean & scrub tiles and splash back
- The shower – scrub & disinfect (tiles, tray, soap racks, glass partition, shower heads)
- Tub – clear any debris, clean, scrub & rinse
- Sink & counters – clean, polish, and disinfect
- Mirrors
- Counters/vanities
- Toilet – soak, clean, scrub, flush & repeat if needed; wipe & spray the exterior
- Baseboards, cabinets, vanities, drawers
- Vacuum and mop the floor (including surfaces under vanities)
- Sanitize and disinfect surfaces
- Restock with complimentary toiletries & toilet paper
- Replace towels, bathmat, and toilet brush
- Garbage bins – empty, clean, sanitize, line with garbage bags
Living room
- Fireplace – clean, take out ashes, restock wood
- Chandeliers, ceiling fans, and wall lamps – dust & clean (wash if necessary)
- Windows – include the insides and window handles
- Window treatments, curtains, vertical blinds – adjust, wipe off (wash if needed)
- Scuffs on walls
- Screens, mirrors, and glass surfaces
- Clean high-touch items (light switches, doorknobs, handles, remotes)
- Dust decorative items, picture frames, vases, trays, books
- Steam clean and dust all upholstery
- Pillows and throw blankets – clean, wash, fluff, and fold
- Coffee table, end tables, consoles
- Entertainment center
- Dust vents
- Floors – sweep, vacuum, or mop (under furniture, too)
Bedroom
- Empty the closet
- Dust ceiling fans & ceiling light fixtures
- Strip the bed, and put bedding to wash
- Remove items and debris between mattress and headboard
- Window treatments – dust, adjust, clean, wash
- Windows – clean glass, handles, insides, window sills
- Wipe the doors
- The closet – vacuum, dust, wipe the surfaces, clean laundry basket
- Drawers – open, clean, sanitize
- Night stands, chairs, side tables, lamps
- Dust and disinfect all decorations and surfaces
- Replace batteries (clocks, remote controllers)
- Wipe & disinfect all handles (doors, drawers) and light switches
- Bed – adjust or replace and wash bed skirts; wipe the bedposts
- Floor – vacuum, mop, disinfect
- Make the bed
Dining Room
- Lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, windows, window treatments
- Clean windows and curtains
- Remove clutter
- Wipe down dining cabinets (inside and out)
- Condition wooden furniture
- Mirrored and glass surfaces – clean and polish
- Table, chairs – clean, wipe, arrange
- Dust decorative pieces
- Disinfect light switches and outlets
- Vacuum, sweep, mop, disinfect the carpets/floors
Laundry room
- Empty and clean lint filter
- Clean shelves and cabinets
- Sink – clear the drain from debris, clean and polish the sink, faucet
- Sweep and dust behind and underneath the appliances
- Wipe down washer and dryer (inside and outside), remove stray items and debris
- Wipe the drying racks
- Restock & organize complimentary laundry supplies (detergent, stain remover, dryer sheets)
- Dust chairs, baskets, tables, ironing boards, the vents, and other surfaces
- Sweep, mop, and disinfect the floor
Outdoor space
- Wipe down lighting fixtures
- Outdoor furniture – clean, spray with protective agents, wipe down, arrange
- Outdoor trash bins – empty, clean and sanitize
- Rake the leaves and debris
- Outdoor kitchen, dining, grills, barbecue areas, and equipment
- Outdoor entertainment center
- Pool, hot tubs, ponds, landscaping, garden areas, planters, fire pits
- Wipe the railings
- Sweep decks, patios, and stairs
Garage & sheds
- Remove clutter and debris
- Wipe doors, doorknobs, drawers, cupboards, and windows
- Organize all tools and equipment
- Wipe down shelves, benches, work desks, and chairs
- Remove cobwebs
General cleaning duties
- Clean all door knobs, light switches, window handles, and cupboard handles
- Collect laundry for washing and drying
- Self-clean the oven, if needed
- Remove all garbage
- Dust all vents, fans, heaters, and A/C system
- Collect any items left behind by guests
- Check for signs of pest infestation
Safety Tips
- Unplug all electrical units from power source before cleaning (fireplace, hair dryers, toasters, coffee machines, etc.)
- Wear protective gloves, mask, or goggles and check the labels for safety instructions. Whenever you can, choose green products.
- Open windows and let fresh air in whenever you use chemicals.
- Do not mix chemicals.
How Long Does It Take To Clean A Short-Term Rental?
The time it takes you to thoroughly clean the space depends on how big your vacation home is and what features it has. A one-bedroom apartment takes less time to clean than a five-bedroom family house with a backyard patio and front porch. You should also factor in the length of guests’ stay.
We recommend you start tracking your time to have a better understanding of how long it will take you to clean the space. That way your expectations will be realistic and you will avoid misunderstandings with guests, or even worse incomplete cleanings due to lack of time between the guests.
Tips On How To Save Time While Cleaning
If you are looking for ways on how to save time, the best strategy is to follow a specific order of tasks which will save you both time and energy. With a routine that works for you and our checklist, you will move from task to task faster.
Guidelines on order of cleaning tasks:
- Always start with tasks that require longer time to finish (washer, dryer, self-cleaning oven) or those that have to soak in (soaking the toilet)
- Tidy before cleaning – remove clutter, throw out the garbage, put things away to make it easier to clean (move area rugs, push furniture to sides, etc.)
- Clen kitchen and bathroom first – You should clean the so called ‘wet areas” first as they require more time to finish.
- Top do down – Start from upstairs to downstairs, and from ceiling to floors. Dust falls and settles on lower surfaces, like coffee tables and floors, which is why you should do them last.
- Vacuum before mopping – Add disinfectant to mopping water.
Outsource Rental Management Services to Professionals
There are countless responsibilities and chores that you, as a landlord, must complete in order for your rental business to do well. It’s no wonder that you sometimes forget what needs to be done. If you want to avoid mishaps of forgetting your cleaning tasks, or if you simply want to have a worry free ownership experience you can always hire professionals to run your rental property for you. Property management company can keep your tenants happy by providing stellar services and keeping your vacation home spotless. Full-service agencies like Swell Property would love to help you regain your time get more profit out of renting.
Related Read on Rental Properties:
- Vacation Rental Amenities That Will Wow Your Guests & Boost Your Host Status in San Diego
- Short-Term Rental Tips for Owners: Host Like a Pro
- Essential Guide to Rental Property Inspections for San Diego Landlords
- Should I Allow Pets in My Rental: Discover the Benefits of Owning a Pet-Friendly Rental Property
- 10 Must-Do Rental Property Upgrades in San Diego
- Rental Property Maintenance Checklist Every Landlord Needs
About the Author
David Miller is Real Estate Advisor at Swell Property. Whether you’re eyeing a new home, an investment property, securing the best mortgage, or aiming to enhance your property’s value, my focus is on providing personalized guidance and strategy for your success. I listen to your needs attentively, ensuring that my expertise aligns perfectly with your real estate goals. My clients’ satisfaction and referrals are the true measure of my success in San Diego’s dynamic real estate market. If you’re searching for a real estate professional who’s deeply committed to your success, I’m eager to demonstrate my expertise and win your trust. Let’s connect and start this journey together.
