VRBO Cleaning Checklist: What Every Host Should Include

Guests booking on VRBO expect hotel-level cleanliness. One dusty shelf, one hair in the shower drain, and your carefully crafted listing takes a hit in the reviews. The difference between a 4-star and 5-star rating often comes down to details your cleaner might miss.

That's why a comprehensive VRBO cleaning checklist isn't optional for serious hosts. It's the backbone of a scalable, review-proof vacation rental operation. Whether you're managing a cozy cabin or a beachfront estate, this guide will help you standardize your turnover process and exceed guest expectations every single time.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ VRBO guests expect hotel-level cleanliness as a baseline
• ✅ High-touch surface sanitization is non-negotiable
• ✅ Consistency across turnovers drives 5-star reviews
• ✅ New 2025 regulations require disclosure of guest cleaning tasks
• ✅ Automation prevents missed turnovers and scheduling chaos

Why VRBO Cleaning Standards Matter

VRBO doesn't enforce a single mandatory cleaning protocol like some hotel chains. Instead, they provide guidelines and leave implementation to hosts. This freedom is a double-edged sword. It means you're responsible for meeting guest expectations without a strict playbook.

Here's what's at stake:

Guest Expectations Are Higher Than Ever

Post-pandemic travelers are hyper-aware of cleanliness. According to VRBO's own research, cleanliness consistently ranks as the top factor influencing guest satisfaction and review scores. Your competitors know this. The hosts who nail their cleaning process are the ones climbing the search rankings.

Reviews Make or Break Bookings

VRBO guests can filter search results by cleanliness ratings. Properties with consistent 5-star cleanliness scores get more visibility. Properties with cleanliness complaints get buried. One bad review mentioning dust or dirty sheets can haunt your listing for months.

Scalability Requires Systems

If you're managing more than one property, or planning to expand, you can't rely on memory or verbal instructions. A documented VRBO host cleaning guide ensures every cleaner delivers the same result, regardless of which property they're working on.

VRBO vs Airbnb Cleaning: What's the Difference?

If you've already mastered Airbnb's cleaning checklist, you'll find VRBO requirements similar but with key differences worth noting.

The biggest difference? VRBO places more emphasis on host autonomy. You're expected to develop your own protocols based on their guidelines, informed by CDC and WHO recommendations. This means more flexibility, but also more responsibility to get it right.

The Complete Room-by-Room VRBO Cleaning Checklist

Here's the comprehensive VRBO cleaning schedule that top-performing hosts use. Customize it for your specific property features, but never skip the essentials.

Entry and Welcome Area

First impressions are permanent impressions. Guests form opinions within seconds of entering.

• Sweep or vacuum entry floor
• Wipe down door handle and lock (both sides)
• Clean any glass panels or windows near the door
• Check for scuff marks on walls and baseboards
• Ensure doormat is clean and positioned correctly
• Test smart lock functionality (if applicable)
• Place welcome materials and property guide prominently
• Check for a fresh, subtle scent (not overpowering)

Living and Common Areas

• Vacuum carpets in multiple directions
• Mop hard floors, including edges and corners
• Dust all surfaces: shelves, tables, mantels, decor
• Wipe down TV screen with appropriate cleaner
• Sanitize all remote controls
• Fluff and arrange throw pillows and blankets
• Check under cushions for debris and lost items
• Clean windows and window sills
• Dust blinds or curtains
• Empty and line all trash bins
• Test all electronics and streaming devices
• Ensure WiFi is working and password is visible

Kitchen

The kitchen is where cleanliness ratings live or die. Guests open every drawer, check inside appliances, and run fingers along counters.

• Clean and sanitize all countertops thoroughly
• Wipe down cabinet fronts and handles
• Deep clean stovetop, knobs, and backsplash
• Clean oven inside and out (check for spills on racks)
• Scrub microwave interior, exterior, and turntable
• Empty refrigerator completely, clean shelves and drawers
• Clean and dry sink until it sparkles
• Sanitize faucet and handles
• Run dishwasher or hand-wash all dishes
• Clean all small appliances (coffee maker, toaster, kettle)
• Replace dish towels, sponges, and scrub brushes
• Check and restock pantry essentials (coffee, tea, sugar)
• Take out trash and replace liner
• Sweep and mop floor, especially corners and under cabinets

Bedrooms

• Strip all bedding including mattress protectors
• Inspect mattress for stains (replace protector if needed)
• Make bed with fresh, crisp linens
• Fluff and arrange pillows attractively
• Dust nightstands, dressers, lamps, and headboard
• Clean mirrors until streak-free
• Vacuum under the bed (not just around it)
• Empty all dresser drawers, check for guest items
• Clean closet floors and organize hangers
• Wipe down closet shelves
• Vacuum or mop floors including closet area
• Check that all lights and switches work
• Set up any welcome amenities

Bathrooms

Bathrooms generate the most cleanliness complaints. This is not the room to rush.

• Scrub and sanitize toilet inside, outside, and around base
• Clean toilet seat top and bottom
• Sanitize flush handle
• Clean and shine sink and faucet
• Wipe down counters and backsplash
• Scrub shower walls, floor, and fixtures
• Clean glass doors or wash/replace shower curtain
• Check for and remove any mold or mildew
• Wipe mirror until completely streak-free
• Clean exhaust fan cover
• Replace all towels with fresh, folded sets
• Restock toilet paper (at least 2 extra rolls visible)
• Replenish toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner)
• Empty trash and replace liner
• Mop floor including behind and around toilet

Laundry Area (If Applicable)

• Wipe down washer and dryer exteriors
• Clean lint trap thoroughly
• Check drum for forgotten items
• Verify detergent and supplies are stocked
• Clean any utility sink
• Sweep or mop floor

Outdoor Spaces (Patio, Deck, Balcony)

• Sweep or blow off deck/patio
• Wipe down all outdoor furniture
• Clean grill grates and exterior (if applicable)
• Check propane/fuel levels for grill
• Remove any trash or debris
• Verify exterior lights work
• Check pool area if applicable (separate detailed checklist)
• Water plants if part of maintenance agreement

High-Touch Surfaces: Your Sanitization Priorities

VRBO's guidelines emphasize sanitizing high-touch surfaces using EPA-approved disinfectants. Here's your priority list:

Interior High-Touch Surfaces:

• Door handles and knobs (all of them)
• Light switches
• Stair railings
• Remote controls
• Thermostat
• Cabinet handles
• Appliance handles and buttons
• Faucets
• Toilet flush handles
• Chair armrests
• Window locks and handles

Electronic Devices:

• TV remotes (wrap in disposable covers if desired)
• Streaming device remotes
• Smart home devices
• Phone charging stations
• Gaming controllers

Pre-Arrival Final Walkthrough Checklist

Before your guests arrive, complete this final verification pass:

• All lights functioning (check every single one)
• HVAC set to comfortable temperature
• WiFi operational and password clearly displayed
• All smart devices working (locks, thermostats, TVs)
• No scent is too strong or artificial
• Welcome materials in place
• No visible trace of previous guests
• Smoke and CO detectors have power and test correctly
• All doors and windows lock properly
• Property guide is accessible
• Photo documentation complete

Automating Your VRBO Turnovers

A perfect checklist is worthless if your cleaner doesn't know when to show up. Manual coordination through texts and calendars creates gaps. Bookings change. Messages get missed. Turnovers fall through the cracks.

This is where automating your cleaning schedule becomes essential. Instead of playing phone tag with your cleaner for every booking change, let automation handle the communication.

TurnoverPing connects directly to your VRBO calendar and automatically notifies your cleaners when turnovers are scheduled. When a booking changes or cancels, your cleaner gets an instant update. No more chasing confirmations. No more missed cleans.

Common VRBO Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced cleaners make these errors:

Conclusion

A comprehensive VRBO cleaning checklist is your foundation for consistent 5-star reviews and repeat bookings. It removes guesswork, speeds up your cleaners, and creates the pristine experience that guests remember when they're writing their review.

Start with the room-by-room checklist above, then customize it for your property's unique features. Train every cleaner on your standards. Document turnovers with photos. And automate your scheduling so no turnover ever slips through the cracks.

Your guests won't just notice the cleanliness. They'll reward you with the reviews that fill your calendar.