The Cleaning Checklist That Saves Your 4.9 Rating

A 4.9 average is the Guest Favorite threshold. Once you slip below, the badge drops, search visibility drops, and bookings drop. The cleanliness sub-score is the one most hosts can actually control - here's the room-by-room checklist that protects it.

Bathroom (the highest-leverage room)

• Strip and replace bath mat - never reuse
• Spray and dwell on shower glass, tile, toilet, sink
• Scrub shower walls, glass, grout corners
• Toilet inside, outside, base, behind
• Faucet base and chrome - check for limescale
• Hair check: drain, floor corners, bath mat replacement spot
• Mirror, light switch, door back, towel hooks
• Floor: vacuum first, then mop

Bedroom: Linens, Surfaces, and Staging

• Strip and remake with fresh linens (cotton, not polyester)
• Pillow inspection: covers off, hair check, replace if stained
• Mattress edge inspection - rare, but bedbug evidence shows up here first
• Nightstand surfaces: sanitize, check drawers
• Closet: hangers straight, no leftover guest items
• Floor: vacuum carpet edges and under bed
• Light switches, door handles, lamp pulls

Kitchen: Dishes, Surfaces, and Appliances

• Empty dishwasher, run if needed, dry dishes
• Wipe all counters and backsplash
• Stove top: grease check, drip pan check
• Microwave inside
• Fridge inside: previous-guest items removed, surfaces wiped
• Sink: faucet base, drain, garbage disposal smell check
• Cabinet fronts and handles
• Floor: vacuum then mop, including under the kitchen mat

Living Area: Floors, Dust, and Details

• Couch: cushions up, vacuum crevices, check for stains
• Coffee table: surface and underneath
• Remote controls and game controllers - sanitize
• Surfaces: TV, side tables, lamps
• Floor: vacuum thoroughly, including baseboards
• Smell check: vents, candles, any pet residue

The Final Walkthrough Before Check-In

• Trash: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom - all liners replaced
• Restock: coffee, paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, dish soap
• Welcome stage: towels folded, bed pillow arrangement
• Door handles, light switches, thermostat sanitized
• Photo documentation: bathroom, bed, kitchen, living area - timestamped

Sensational Cleaning runs this exact checklist on every Seattle Airbnb turnover, with photo verification at the end. See our full Airbnb cleaning process.