Reliable cleaning is essential for 5-star reviews, guest safety, and smooth turnovers.
Working with professional or tech-enabled cleaners minimizes missed cleans and miscommunication.
Systems matter. Clear checklists, scheduling tools, and photo verification help maintain quality.
Uplisting makes it easy to automate cleaner notifications and streamline the turnover process.
You finally get a five-star review streak going, then one guest walks into a sticky floor, crumbs on the sofa, and towels that smell a bit... off. The cleaner was late, rushed the turnover, and now you're refunding part of the stay and crossing your fingers it doesn’t tank your rating.
Cleanliness is one of the first things guests mention in reviews and is one of the hardest things to manage consistently. Finding Airbnb cleaners you can actually count on is what keeps operations running smoothly and guests walking into a place that feels ready for them.
In this blog, we’ll walk through how to vet cleaners, set expectations, and create a system that works, even on those typically tight turnarounds.
Cleaners are a vital part of the guest experience. Guests often rate cleanliness higher than location, amenities, or even price. Platforms like Airbnb highlight cleaning scores right next to your listing, which means dust in the corners or streaky mirrors can cost more than just a star.
A spotless property builds trust from the moment a guest walks through the door. It tells them you pay attention, you care about their stay, and you’ve prepared the space with intention.
Missed details like dirty dishes, dusty surfaces, or unstocked essentials quickly erode that trust. Even if everything else goes right, poor cleanliness can result in lower ratings, complaints, and fewer future bookings. On the flip side, great cleaners help you get consistent five-star reviews, smoother turnovers, and peace of mind, especially if you're managing remotely or scaling up.
Some of the largest short-term rental operators (with 250+ properties) rely on Uplisting's software to scale their businesses.
If you're figuring out how to find Airbnb cleaners who show up, follow instructions, and handle quick turnarounds without reminders, the first step is knowing exactly where to look. Here are a couple of starting points.
Start with people already managing short-term rentals nearby. Hosts and small-scale property managers with a few listings often have go-to cleaners they trust. Many are open to sharing contact details, especially if their cleaner has room in their schedule.
By building these connections, you’ll also get more than just a name. Most hosts will tell you how long they’ve worked together, how well the cleaner communicates, and whether they’re okay handling back-to-backs or last-minute jobs.
Local referrals tend to come with honest feedback, which is harder to find with online reviews alone.
For hosts in larger markets (or anyone who prefers a little automation) cleaning platforms built for short-term rentals offer a more structured path. Tools like Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB), Properly, and Airtasker connect you with cleaners who already handle Airbnb turnovers. These platforms let you view reviews, check availability, confirm credentials, and assign tasks in a few clicks.
When you use a property management software like Uplisting, your cleaners receive job notifications based on your calendar. You can set up photo checklists, flag inventory needs, and create backup plans when someone cancels.
Outside of metro areas, cleaner marketplaces may not cover your region.
In that case, local Facebook groups, neighborhood forums, or even physical bulletin boards can help you find someone nearby. Plenty of skilled cleaners operate independently and rely on word of mouth or community posts to find work.
Post a clear request with your expectations, including information like the number of beds, frequency of turnovers, whether you provide supplies, and if laundry is on-site. The more specific your post, the better your chances of finding someone who fits.
Our top tip? Before you commit, ask for references or a trial clean. A quick call to a past client can reveal more than any online review.
Hiring someone to clean isn't hard. Finding a cleaner who’s fast, dependable, and actually shows up during peak season? That’s the real challenge.
If you're figuring out how to find Airbnb cleaners who won’t leave you scrambling between check-outs, asking the right questions before you commit makes all the difference.
Cleaning a short-term rental isn’t the same as cleaning a regular home. Timing is tighter. Attention to detail needs to be sharper. Guests expect a spotless space that feels like no one else has ever stayed there, every single time. Ask directly if they’ve cleaned for short-term rentals before.
Cleaners who already work with hosts usually understand how to manage narrow turnover windows, spot damages, restock supplies, and handle laundry while prepping the space for new guests. If they haven’t done that kind of work, you’ll either spend time training or risk missed steps that lead to guest complaints.
Without a checklist, it’s easy to skip over small but important tasks, like emptying the dishwasher or checking under beds. A good cleaner follows a step-by-step list so nothing gets missed, even on back-to-back days.
Also ask if they’re comfortable taking and sending photos after each clean. Photo proof gives you a quick way to verify the job is done right and helps settle any guest disputes before they escalate. Cleaners who already document their work tend to take more pride in it and they keep you in the loop without extra follow-up.
Plans change. Guests extend stays. New bookings drop in overnight. If your cleaner only works weekdays or needs three days' notice, you’ll run into problems fast.
Ask how flexible they are when schedules shift. Can they handle weekend turnovers? Are they okay with same-day notice when needed? Cleaners who already manage Airbnb properties usually have systems to handle last-minute jobs without cutting corners.
Automated guest messages keep your guest informed from booking through to check-out. They’re designed to answer questions before they arise, saving you time whilst keeping your guests happy.
Even the most dependable cleaner can’t make up for a messy system.
If you’re constantly sending last-minute texts, checking supply levels yourself, or wondering whether the unit’s actually clean, the issue isn’t the cleaner, it’s the process.
A strong cleaning workflow keeps tasks consistent, prevents missed steps, and gives you breathing room when bookings pile up.
A checklist isn’t optional. Without one, each cleaner decides what “clean” means, and results vary depending on who’s working.
Spell out every task for each room, wipe baseboards, check under beds, clean inside the microwave, run and empty the dishwasher. Skip vague directions like “clean the kitchen” and be explicitly clear in what you expect. This helps you maintain standards even when working with a new cleaner covering vacation time, or if you have to step in in case of emergencies.
It's best practice to pair the checklist with a restock guide so cleaners know what to refill, replace, or flag. Include exact quantities and product preferences if you’re particular. A locked supply closet on-site helps keep everything stocked and consistent, especially when you’re not around.
Sync your booking calendar or property management system (PMS) so turnovers schedule themselves as soon as a guest books.
Automation matters most when bookings overlap or last-minute reservations pop up. Cleaners see their schedule early, and you avoid chasing confirmations. With fewer moving parts, the entire turnover process runs smoother and you get hours back each week.
Ask cleaners to send photos of finished work, like beds made, surfaces wiped, supplies replaced. Photo updates show exactly what guests will walk into, and they help resolve complaints before they hit your inbox.
Real-time task updates like “clean started” and “clean complete” make it easier to stay ahead. If something looks off or runs late, you’ll know right away. For anyone still figuring out how to find Airbnb cleaners who follow through, a workflow built around transparency makes all the difference.
When you don’t have to micromanage cleaners, you get time back to focus on the work that actually grows your business.
Growing short-term rental operations is all about making sure each booking runs smoothly. You can’t expand if turnover quality varies from one stay to the next. One cleaner who forgets to start the laundry or misses a room can derail an entire day of check-ins.
A consistent team with a clear schedule and process removes that risk. Turnovers stay on track, even when you’re managing multiple listings or adjusting for last-minute bookings. With fewer surprises, you’re able to take on more without second-guessing what’s happening behind each check-out.
Cleaners who follow the same process every time keep spaces ready for every guest.
That consistency builds trust, and trust leads to better reviews, fewer complaints, and more repeat bookings. Knowing how to find Airbnb cleaners who can deliver that level of consistency gives you a real edge, especially when every five-star review counts.
Manage short-term rentals & bookings, message guests, take payment, and so much more. All in one easy-to-use platform (that never double-books).
Finding Airbnb cleaners you can rely on is essential for maintaining guest satisfaction, protecting your reputation, and scaling your short-term rental business without constant oversight.
With the right team, guided by systems and automation, you can reduce turnover stress, eliminate missed cleans, and confidently grow your portfolio. The payoff is fewer headaches, better reviews, and more time to focus on what matters.
Ready to simplify your operations and improve your turnover process? Sign up for Uplisting to streamline your vacation rental management.
Most hosts separate the cleaning fee from the nightly rate so guests see exactly what they’re paying for at checkout. This keeps your property competitive in search results while avoiding confusion about why a short stay costs more. Folding the fee into the nightly rate often backfires when guests expect daily cleanings or feel misled by the total cost.
You can, and plenty of new hosts do. It works when you live close by, have flexible time, and run just one or two listings.
The problem shows up fast once bookings increase. Managing your own cleaning makes it harder to scale, and even harder to stay consistent. One missed turnover can cost more than outsourcing ever would.
That’s when a backup plan saves the day. Keep a second cleaner on call, or rotate a small team, to cover gaps. Automated job notifications also help by giving you a heads-up the moment someone drops a task.
We’ve built an all-in-one property, channel management and automation tool to help property managers scale seamlessly.
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