Spring has sprung! April showers bring…the perfect time for spring cleaning? That’s right! Now is the time to give your short-term rental a deep clean. This blog post provides actionable tips for getting your spring cleaning in line for your hosting business and keeping those 5-star reviews rolling in.

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!

Why spring cleaning is a must

Every stay requires a cleaning, but it’s important to keep spring cleaning on your annual task list. It’s important for a few different reasons.

• First impressions matter. You want to leave a solid first impression that makes guests happy from the moment they walk in.
• Dust and other allergens can build up over time. Having a regular deep clean can ensure these allergens don’t build up too much.
• When issues are left unattended for too long, they eventually could burst and require pretty hefty repair costs. Annual inspections help keep things like this in line.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

The easiest way to tackle spring cleaning is to break it down room by room.

1. Deep clean the kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used spaces in a vacation rental. Pay special attention to overlooked areas, including:

• Clean behind appliances like the stove and refrigerator.
• Scrub inside the oven and dishwasher.
• Wipe down kitchen cabinets and replace torn or peeling liners.
• Deep clean small appliances, such as the toaster and coffee maker.

Tip: Have a checklist for cleaners you can share with them.

2. Make bathrooms sparkle

Bathrooms can leave a strong impression on guests—for better or worse. Here’s how to boost the “wow” factor:

• Replace dingy shower curtains, mats, and towels.
• Remove any traces of limescale on faucets, showerheads, and tiles.
• Scrub grout with a bleach solution or grout cleaner.
• Restock essentials like soap, shampoo, and toilet paper.

3. Refresh the main living space

Guests spend a lot of time lounging on furniture, so make sure these items are clean and smell fresh:

• Vacuum and shampoo rugs and carpets.
• Deep clean upholstery. Be sure to focus on armrests and cushions.
• Rotate mattresses and clean them with an upholstery cleaner or vacuum.
• Replace or clean throw pillows and blankets.

4. Wipe down walls, windows, and ceilings

Cleaning walls, ceilings, and windows may not be part of your regular routine, but it’s one you want to add to your annual spring cleaning.

• Dust ceiling fans and any light fixtures.
• Clean all windows inside and out. Don’t forget to clean window sills and blinds!
• Wipe down walls to remove stains or smudges.

5. Declutter and organize

A clutter-free home makes the space feel larger. Utilize storage bins, get rid of expired pantry items or toiletries, and look to see what items you can remove overall.

6. Give outside areas a once-over

If you have an outdoor space, remember to give it some love:

• Power-wash your decks, patios, and driveways.
• Trim bushes, check on the gardens, refresh the flowers, etc.
• It’s always good to give the outdoor furniture and BBQ some attention for a refresh.
• Make sure any outdoor lights are still working.

How Host Tools can help

Spring cleaning can feel like a daunting task. Luckily, when you invest in Host Tools we handle the day-to-day of your operations to free up your time in other areas. Here’s how we help:

• We automate communications with your cleaners (and guests!). This means a cleaner will never miss a turnover.
• You can provide your cleaners with detailed checklists to ensure no task is ever forgotten.
• Our platform easily integrates with Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and more.
• We allow for smart lock integration to ensure your cleaners can access your property without a key exchange.

Tips

Spring cleaning may only happen once a year, but cleanliness should be a priority all year long. Here are some tips to maintain high standards after a spring deep clean:

• Schedule periodic checks. Mark it annually in your calendar so you don’t just forget about it.
• Automate your guest review requests. This encourages and reminds guests to leave reviews and lets you see any patterns that may arise.
• Make sure you have clear house rules in place that help guide expectations between you and your guests.
• Choose good cleaners, and build a lasting relationship with them.
• Always restock and have cleaning supplies on hand.

Final thoughts

Spring cleaning doesn’t need to feel like a challenge. With a repeatable plan in place, like the above, you’ll be all set to rinse and repeat every spring. Plus, when you integrate your day-to-day tasks with Host Tools, you’ll be all set to keep on top of your spring cleaning.

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!