A good turnover resets the unit to match your listing photos: fresh linens and hotel style beds, bathrooms scrubbed and restocked, the kitchen reset, floors done, consumables back to par, damage photographed, and a set of time stamped photos taken before the next guest arrives.
The Turnover, Room by Room
- Walk the unit first and photograph anything damaged, missing or left behind.
- Strip every bed and bathroom towel, and start laundry if it is done on site.
- Clean and disinfect bathrooms: toilet, shower or tub, vanity, mirror and floor.
- Reset the kitchen: dishes washed and put away, counters and appliance fronts wiped, fridge cleared of guest food.
- Dust surfaces, remotes, switches and door handles.
- Make the beds hotel style with fresh linens and stage the towels.
- Vacuum and mop every floor, edge to edge.
- Take out garbage and recycling and reline the bins.
- Restock consumables to your par level: toilet paper, soap, shampoo, coffee, dish soap and bin liners.
- Stage the unit to match the listing photos, set the thermostat and lock up.
- Take time stamped photos of every room and send them to the host.
Why Photos Matter as Much as the Clean
A remote host cannot see the unit between stays. Photos of the entrance, each bedroom, each bathroom, the kitchen and the living area are how you know it is ready, and they become your evidence if the next guest reports a problem or a damage claim needs support.
Keep an Inventory Sheet and a Par Level
Write down what every unit should have, from the number of towels to the coffee pods, and the level you restock to. A written par level means any cleaner restocks the same way, and you stop finding out about an empty toilet paper cupboard from a guest review.
How Long Should a Turnover Take?
It depends on the number of beds and bathrooms, whether laundry is on site, and how the last guest left the unit. Plan the turnover inside your checkout to check-in window, and leave room for the occasional stay that needs more.
Hand Off Your Turnovers to CleanStays
CleanStays cleans Airbnb and VRBO properties across Calgary to a 19 point standard, with photo proof after every clean. Read about turnover cleaning, deep cleaning and portfolio cleaning for property managers.
