5 Ways to Speed Up Cleaning Turnovers Between Guests

The gap between checkout and check-in is where things go wrong. A guest checks out late, the cleaner's running behind, and the next guest is messaging "can we come early?" Meanwhile you're staring at your phone hoping it all works out.

Tight turnovers are stressful, but they don't have to be chaotic. The difference between a 2-hour turnover and a 90-minute one usually isn't speed — it's preparation. Here are five changes that consistently shave 20-40 minutes off turnover time.

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1. Pre-Stock Your Cleaning Carts (or Caddies)

This is the single biggest time-saver, and most hosts don't do it.

Every time your cleaner starts a turnover, they shouldn't be gathering supplies from different cupboards. Everything they need for one complete turnover should already be together in a caddy or cart:

Per-turnover cleaning caddy:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Bathroom cleaner
• Toilet cleaner
• 3-4 microfibre cloths
• 1 sponge (fresh)
• Bin liners (kitchen + bathroom sizes)
• Rubber gloves
• Toilet roll (to replace)
• Guest toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)

Per-turnover linen bag:

• Fitted sheet + duvet cover + pillowcases (per bed)
• Bath towels + hand towels (per guest)
• Tea towels (2-3)
• Bath mat

Have these packed and ready before the cleaning day. If you're managing multiple properties, pack them in labelled bags the night before. This alone can cut 15-20 minutes off a turnover.

Make sure you've got the right supplies in each caddy. Our inventory checklist is a good reference for what should be included.

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2. Use a Room-by-Room Checklist

"Clean the flat" is vague. "Complete the 23-step turnover checklist" is specific. Good cleaners already work systematically, but a checklist ensures consistency — especially when you're working with multiple cleaners or a team.

What a solid turnover checklist looks like:

• Arrive: Check overall condition, note any damage, report issues immediately
• Kitchen: Clear and wipe counters, clean sink, wipe appliances, empty bins, check fridge, restock consumables
• Bathroom(s): Scrub toilet, clean shower/bath, wipe mirror, restock toilet paper and toiletries, fresh towels, empty bin
• Bedroom(s): Strip and remake beds, check under beds and behind furniture, restock hangers, wipe surfaces, empty bins
• Living area: Vacuum/mop floors, wipe surfaces, fluff cushions, fold throws, check TV remote has batteries
• Final walk: Lock windows, set thermostat, check all lights work, photograph each room, lock up

The key is that the checklist is the same every time. Your cleaner shouldn't have to think about what comes next — they just follow the list.

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3. Keep Inventory at the Property, Not in Your Boot

Some hosts keep spare supplies at home or in their car and drop them off when needed. This creates delays, extra trips, and a dependency on your availability.

Instead, dedicate a cupboard or storage area at each property for:

• 2-3 turnovers' worth of consumables
• 1-2 spare linen sets
• Full cleaning supply kit
• Spare lightbulbs, batteries, and basic tools

Your cleaner should be able to walk in, grab what they need, and get to work without waiting for you to show up with supplies. This is where proper par levels pay off — you'll know when that storage cupboard needs restocking before it runs empty.

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4. Communicate With Your Cleaning Team in Real Time

Miscommunication is the #1 cause of turnover delays. The guest hasn't checked out. The cleaner didn't know there was a late checkout. The new linen hasn't been dropped off. Sound familiar?

Set up a communication system that handles three things:

1. Check-out confirmation — cleaner gets notified the moment guests leave (smart lock integrations or a quick text)
2. Issue reporting — cleaner can flag problems immediately (damage, missing items, maintenance) with photos
3. Completion confirmation — you know the turnover is done and the property is guest-ready

This doesn't need to be fancy. A WhatsApp group works. But dedicated tools give you a record you can reference later — which matters when a guest claims something was already broken.

Superhosts typically have a system for this, even if it's a simple one. The point is that nobody's left guessing.

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5. Do a Post-Clean Verification

A 5-minute walk-through after cleaning catches problems before guests find them. This can be done by:

• The cleaner themselves (using a photo checklist — take a quick snap of each room)
• You (if you live nearby)
• A co-host or property manager

What to check:

• Beds are made properly (wrinkle-free, all pillows in place)
• Bathroom is stocked (toilet paper visible, towels folded, toiletries filled)
• Kitchen is reset (clean dishes put away, counters clear, bins empty)
• No personal items left behind by previous guest
• Lights all work, thermostat is set, property smells clean

The photo checklist is particularly useful if you manage remotely. Your cleaner takes 5-6 photos at the end of each turnover — one per room — and sends them to you. You can verify in 60 seconds from anywhere.

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How Much Time Can You Actually Save?

Here's what hosts typically report after implementing all five:

Change	Time saved per turnover
Pre-stocked cleaning caddy	15-20 min
Room-by-room checklist	5-10 min (consistency, fewer redo's)
On-site inventory	10-15 min (no supply runs)
Real-time communication	5-10 min (no waiting, no confusion)
Post-clean verification	Saves 30+ min on guest complaints

That's 35-55 minutes per turnover. Over 10 turnovers a month, you're saving 6-9 hours. Over a year, that's nearly a full working week.

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FAQ

How do I get my cleaners to follow a checklist?

Walk through it with them once. Explain that it's not about trust — it's about consistency. Most cleaners prefer having clear expectations. If a cleaner resists a basic checklist, that's a red flag.

What if my cleaner flags a problem mid-turnover?

Have a decision tree: "If the issue takes less than 10 minutes to fix, fix it and note it. If it's bigger, photograph it, message the host, and continue cleaning." You can deal with damage claims after the guest checks in — the priority is getting the property ready.

Should I time my cleaners?

Not directly — nobody likes being micromanaged. But do track how long turnovers take on average. If one property consistently takes 30 minutes longer than a similar one, something's off. It could be the cleaner, the property layout, or a supply issue.

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