Host guide
The turnover cleaning checklist for short-term rentals
A turnover clean is the reset between one guest checking out and the next checking in. It is not a regular house clean: it is faster, stricter, and every guest judges the result. Below is a room-by-room checklist you can hand to your cleaner — and the photos worth capturing on every turn so you can prove the work was done.
Why a checklist alone isn't enough
A checklist tells your cleaner what to do. It doesn't tell you it was done. When a guest leaves a review saying the bathroom was dirty, a ticked box won't help you — a timestamped photo of the clean bathroom taken an hour before check-in will. That's why each section below ends with the photo to take.
Room-by-room checklist
Entry & living areas
- Remove all guest trash and left-behind items (log anything valuable)
- Dust surfaces, shelves, TV and remotes; wipe light switches and door handles
- Vacuum and mop floors, including under sofas and rugs
- Fluff and arrange cushions and throws to your standard
Proof photo: Wide shot of the living room from the doorway, plus the sofa styled.
Kitchen
- Empty, wipe and dry the fridge, microwave and oven interior
- Run, empty and wipe the dishwasher; put away clean dishes
- Degrease the hob and backsplash; scrub and shine the sink
- Restock coffee, tea, dish soap, sponges and paper towels
Proof photo: Counters and hob, inside of the open fridge, and the sink.
Bedrooms
- Strip all beds and replace with fresh linen — never reuse
- Check mattress protector and pillows for stains or hair
- Empty drawers, wardrobe and under the bed
- Make the bed to your styling standard
Proof photo: Each made bed straight-on, and the empty space under the bed.
Bathrooms
- Scrub and disinfect toilet, shower, tub and sink
- Clear hair from drains; polish mirrors and fixtures
- Hang fresh towels and bath mat
- Restock toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner
Proof photo: Toilet with lid up, the shower or tub, and the towel setup.
Final walk-through
- Check for damage and note anything broken or missing
- Reset thermostat, close windows, lights off
- Take out trash and recycling to the bins
- Lock up and return keys or reset the lock code
Proof photo: Any damage found, plus the locked front door.
Tips for faster, consistent turnovers
- Give your cleaner a reference photo of how each room should look — not just words.
- Keep a spare linen set per bed on site so laundry never blocks a same-day turn.
- Ask for the same photo angles every time so problems are easy to spot.
- Review photos before check-in, while there's still time to fix something.
Turn this checklist into proof
Turnproof lets you upload your own reference photos and standards. Your cleaner gets a link — no app or login — and captures each shot. You approve in real time or keep them as a dated proof packet for any review dispute. Your first month is free.