Airbnb turnover and linen checklist for hosts

Define the reset standard

List the rooms, beds, bathrooms and guest-facing surfaces that must be reset each time. Add photographs or a simple layout guide for furniture, amenities and presentation details that matter to the listing. Airbnb's host guidance recommends a consistent turnover checklist and fresh linen and towels for each guest.

• Accessible surfaces, floors and bathroom fittings
• Kitchen surfaces and agreed appliance checks
• Fresh linen on every included guest bed
• Clean towels in the agreed quantity and location
• Ordinary waste moved to the property's designated bins
• Visible inventory or maintenance issues reported to the host

Write a linen specification before the first turnover

Record the bed sizes, the exact pieces used for each bed and the number of towel sets expected. State whether duvet covers, mattress protectors, pillow protectors, bath mats and kitchen cloths are changed every stay or inspected under a different written rule. The listing owner should decide this standard and keep it consistent with the amenities advertised to guests.

• Name each bed and its linen size
• List the complete set needed for the maximum booked occupancy
• Label the clean-linen storage location
• Record who supplies, launders and replaces each item
• Keep used and ready-to-use stock in clearly separate containers or areas

Use a changeover sequence that exposes shortages early

At entry, confirm the property is vacant and check the bed and towel count before other work hides a shortage. Remove used items without placing them on ready-to-use stock, then check for stains, damage and missing pieces. Make beds from the clean stock only after the room is ready, and finish with a count against the written specification.

• Entry: confirm access, occupancy and the beds used
• Strip and count: separate used items and log exceptions
• Clean: complete the agreed room and bathroom tasks
• Reset: use the correct clean set for each bed and guest
• Close: count remaining stock and report any shortfall before check-in

Do not make same-window laundry the only plan

Confirm whether laundry happens at the property, off site or outside the turnover window. Follow each textile's care label and the laundry-product and machine instructions; do not invent a universal wash temperature for mixed fabrics. Build the schedule around the real wash and drying time, and do not put damp items into clean storage.

• Hold enough ready-to-use stock for the agreed turnover plan
• Set a cutoff for deciding that an item will not be ready
• Name the approved fallback stock location
• Quarantine stained, damaged or still-damp items from clean stock
• Escalate a shortage instead of silently reusing an item

Control products and handling risks

Cleaning and laundry products can create workplace health risks. HSE guidance says employers must assess hazardous substances, prevent or control exposure, and include storage, handling, disposal and incident arrangements. Keep products in their labelled containers, follow the supplier instructions and record any site-specific restrictions or sensitivities before work starts.

Make access and the final handover repeatable

Give the person doing the turnover a lawful, reliable entry method and a backup contact. State check-out and check-in times, parking or concierge restrictions, key handling and what to do if a guest has not left. At the end, record completion, linen or stock shortages, visible damage and maintenance issues; do not make unapproved repairs or guest claims.