Even beginner Airbnb hosts know that the founding block of hosting success and guest satisfaction depends on their property's cleanliness. 

Cleaning your Airbnb is the most time-consuming and essential part of the process. Therefore, your Airbnb must be restored to its original, spotless condition following every check-out. The cleanliness of your space is at the forefront of guests' minds and will nearly always be commented on in guest reviews. In fact, according to Airbnb data, a lack of cleanliness is one of the top reasons guests leave a negative review. 

We've rounded up our top tips on how to clean your Airbnb like a pro:

• Dust Busting

Before a dinner party, quick dust of surfaces and ornaments might suffice, but it won't quite cut the mustard with your Airbnb. Guests expect the same cleanliness from their Airbnb as they would find in a five-star hotel, so be prepared to put in a lot of elbow grease! 

PTK's top tip: Take a top-down approach. Begin dusting the highest corner you can reach, then make your way down to floor level to avoid leaving any pesky dust balls.

• Focus on pain points

Most guests overlook any outstanding dust specs or a cleaning product streak as long as certain items/areas are in pristine condition. The kitchen and the bathroom are usually the most heavily scrutinized for their hygiene levels, as are bed linens and bathroom towels, so extra attention is required for these areas.

PTK's top tip: Schedule a deep clean every 3-6 months to give well-used or overlooked surfaces a thorough clean.

• Take out the bins

Airbnb cleaners often forget to remove and replace bins or even leave the bin bags within the property (oops!). Ensure that all containers in the Airbnb have been emptied and disinfected to remove any odors. 

PTK's top tip: A drop of Zoflora mixed with hot water will have smelly bins smelling as good as new in no time.

• Remove any hair

Even after a 24-hour booking, there are usually copious amounts of hair left unwillingly by your guests - expect double the payment if your Airbnb is pet friendly! As an Airbnb host, the humble lint roller is your friend. Use a lint roller on bed sheets, towels, and blankets, vacuum all floors and pay special attention to the bathroom as any hair trapped in drains will cause a blockage for new guests.

PTK's top tip: Clean bathroom floors on your hands and knees so you can remove any stray hairs. No matter how clean the property is, finding someone's hair when guests check in is an immediate turn-off.

• Ventilation

With quick turnaround times, cleaning can be hectic. Don't forget to open all the windows as soon as you arrive at your Airbnb to clean. Letting in the fresh air will go a long way in freshening the place up for your next guest and killing any nasty microbes. Good ventilation remains vital post-pandemic.

PTK's top tip: Guests will appreciate a fan to improve ventilation in high season!

• Keep drains happy

The last thing you want is a call from a frantic guest complaining that the sink is clogged up and omitting a foul smell. To help tackle build-up, pour a mix of baking soda and vinegar down all drains in your Airbnb and leave for as long as possible. 

PTK's top tip: Placing a hair sieve over your shower drain will work wonders to prevent drain blockages and a pricey bill from your plumber!

• Hire a property management company

Cleaning your Airbnb is an incredibly time-consuming task, particularly if you wish to scale your Airbnb business by managing multiple listings! Professional management companies like Pass the Keys will remove the hassle from your hands. Pass the Keys uses vetted, quality cleaners to restore your Airbnb to its former glory as part of their end-to-end management service. From listing your Airbnb, managing bookings, vetting guests, essential handling, cleaning, and 24/7 guest management, Pass the Keys takes the stress off your shoulders while your property earns its keep. The company is operational across 50+ areas in the UK; to find your nearest branch, please head to our main page.

PTK's top tip: Not all property management companies are certified Airbnb Co-Hosts! Do your research and shop around before hiring one to manage your unique property.