As an Airbnb host, maintaining a clean and welcoming space is one of the most important aspects of providing a great guest experience. While regular turnover cleaning between guests is essential, deep cleaning your property periodically is equally crucial to ensure it stays in top condition and consistently receives positive reviews. But the question remains: how often should you schedule an Airbnb deep clean?
In this post, we’ll explore the factors that influence the timing of deep cleaning for your Airbnb, the benefits of deep cleaning, and the best practices for keeping your space spotless without overdoing it.
What is a Deep Clean?
Before diving into scheduling, let’s define what we mean by “deep clean.” Deep cleaning goes beyond the regular turnover cleaning tasks like making beds, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms. It involves more intensive tasks that focus on areas that might not be cleaned regularly but still require attention to maintain a hygienic and well-maintained property.
Common deep-cleaning tasks include:
- Cleaning behind and underneath furniture and appliances
- Washing windows and window tracks
- Scrubbing baseboards and moldings
- Cleaning light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Detailing carpets and upholstery
- Deep-cleaning kitchen appliances (oven, fridge, microwave, etc.)
- Cleaning air vents and HVAC systems
- Washing walls and doors to remove scuffs and dirt
Deep cleaning is about giving your Airbnb a fresh and thorough cleaning that goes beyond the basics, ensuring every corner of the space is spotless.
Factors That Influence How Often You Should Deep Clean
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should schedule a deep clean for your Airbnb. Several factors influence the timing, and as a host, you should evaluate your property’s needs to determine what works best for you. Below are some of the most important factors to consider:
1. Guest Turnover Frequency
If you have frequent guest turnover, your property may require a deep clean more often. High turnover means your space is used more frequently, and dirt and wear can build up quickly, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms.
- High turnover (multiple bookings per week): If you’re hosting a lot of guests, it’s recommended to deep clean your Airbnb every 1–2 months. With frequent guests, areas like carpets, upholstery, and appliances can accumulate dirt and odors, so a monthly deep clean ensures your space stays fresh.
- Moderate turnover (a few bookings per month): If your turnover is lower, a deep clean every 2–3 months should suffice. This gives you time to tackle hard-to-reach areas and maintain the overall cleanliness of your property.
- Low turnover (infrequent bookings): For properties with infrequent guest stays, you may be able to go 3–4 months between deep cleanings. However, this depends on the level of wear and tear that occurs in between guest stays.
By adjusting your deep-cleaning schedule to the frequency of your guest turnover, you’ll ensure that your property stays clean without over-scheduling unnecessary cleans.
2. The Size of Your Property
Larger properties with more rooms, bathrooms, or floors will likely need deep cleaning more frequently. These properties accumulate more dirt, dust, and grime due to the larger space and higher number of areas that require attention.
- Larger properties (3+ bedrooms): If your Airbnb has several rooms, floors, and additional amenities (e.g., a large kitchen, multiple bathrooms), you may need a deep clean every 1–2 months, depending on the guest turnover and frequency of use.
- Smaller properties (studio or 1-bedroom apartments): Smaller spaces may require less frequent deep cleaning, with a good schedule being once every 2–3 months, again depending on usage.
Since larger spaces are generally more exposed to dirt, dust, and wear, you may want to invest in a professional deep cleaning service to ensure everything gets attended to without compromising your time.
3. Seasonality and High-Demand Periods
The time of year can significantly affect how often you need to deep clean your property. During peak seasons, you may find yourself hosting back-to-back guests, increasing the wear on your property and its cleanliness.
- High-demand season: During busy periods such as holidays or peak travel seasons, it’s essential to deep clean more frequently. After a particularly busy month or season, it may be necessary to do a thorough clean to keep your space looking fresh and inviting for guests.
- Off-season or slower periods: During off-peak times, you may not need to deep clean as often. However, it’s still important to keep up with general maintenance to ensure your space doesn’t fall into disrepair during low-traffic periods.
Consider deep cleaning after especially busy seasons to reset your property and prepare it for the next round of guests.
4. Guest Feedback and Reviews
If your guests have made comments about the cleanliness of your property, or if you’ve received negative feedback regarding dust, odors, or other cleanliness-related issues, it may be time to schedule a deep clean.
Pay attention to recurring themes in your reviews. If multiple guests comment on cleanliness concerns, it could indicate that certain areas of your property need more attention. This feedback can guide you in determining the right time for a deep clean and help address problem areas proactively.
5. Pets and Smoking
If you allow pets or smoking in your Airbnb, deep cleaning should be scheduled more often. Pets can leave hair, odors, and stains behind, while smoking can lead to lingering smells and yellowing on walls and ceilings. In these cases, deep cleaning every 1–2 months may be necessary to remove pet hair and smells effectively.
Additionally, you may need to deep clean upholstery, carpets, and drapes more frequently to eliminate any lingering odors or allergens.
Best Practices for Scheduling Your Deep Clean
Once you’ve evaluated the factors influencing your deep-cleaning needs, here are some best practices to follow for scheduling deep cleans efficiently:
- Plan Around Guest Turnovers: Schedule your deep clean on days when the property is unoccupied, preferably between guest check-out and check-in, to avoid disrupting the guest experience. If this isn’t possible, consider scheduling your deep clean during periods when bookings are low.
- Hire a Professional: Deep cleaning can be a time-consuming and exhausting task, especially for larger properties or if you’re not equipped with the right tools. Hiring a professional cleaning service can ensure the job is done properly and save you time and energy.
- Use a Cleaning Checklist: Create a deep-cleaning checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked during the process. This checklist can include tasks such as cleaning behind appliances, washing walls, and sanitizing high-touch areas.
- Regular Maintenance: In addition to deep cleaning, make sure to schedule periodic maintenance checks (e.g., HVAC filters, appliance inspections, etc.) to keep your property in optimal condition between deep cleans.
- Communicate with Your Guests: Let your guests know you’re committed to maintaining a clean space. If your deep clean is scheduled around their stay, inform them that it’s part of your effort to keep the property fresh and inviting for future guests.
Conclusion
Deep cleaning your Airbnb is essential to providing an exceptional guest experience, maintaining the longevity of your property, and ensuring positive reviews. How often you should schedule a deep clean depends on factors like guest turnover, property size, seasonal demands, and specific cleanliness concerns. By assessing these factors and following best practices for scheduling, you’ll be able to keep your space spotless and ready for guests—no matter how frequently they book.
In need of a Airbnb clean? Contact Cleanbnb today.