Why is cleaning the most important task for an Airbnb host?

When a guest arrives at your Airbnb property, the first thing they notice is cleanliness. It's a sensory experience that develops in seconds: what the property smells like, whether surfaces gleam, and if the floor feels clean underfoot. On the Airbnb platform, cleanliness is a separately rated category, and its significance for your property's visibility is enormous. Even one bad review about a dirty bathroom or the previous guest's hair can lower your ranking in search results and deter potential bookers.

High quality Airbnb cleaning it's not just about wiping down surfaces; it's about building trust. Guests often pay as much or more for your apartment as they would for a hotel room, and they expect a similar level of cleanliness. Cleanliness communicates that you care about your guests and your professionalism as a host. In a competitive market like Rovaniemi, where travellers arrive from all over the world to experience Arctic magic, your apartment must be in impeccable condition – every single time.

At Host It Oy, we understand that cleaning is also one of the most time-consuming and stressful aspects of hosting. That's why having a clear process in place is paramount. If cleaning feels overwhelming to manage yourself, professional hosting service You can remove this burden from your shoulders, allowing you to focus on tracking the returns of your investment.

Required cleaning equipment and supplies

Effective cleaning starts with the right equipment. If you're using a poor-quality vacuum cleaner or the wrong cleaning agents, you'll spend twice as long on the job and the result will still be mediocre. To achieve a professional finish, we recommend putting together a separate ”host's cleaning kit” that is always ready.

• Microfibre cloths Use different colours for different areas (e.g. red for the bathroom, blue for the kitchen) to avoid cross-contamination.
• Powerful vacuum cleaner A model with a HEPA filter that removes allergens and even the smallest dust particles would be preferred.
• General cleaner and disinfectant: Particularly frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles and remote controls, require disinfection.
• Window and mirror cleaner Nothing screams ”untidy” quite like fingerprints on a mirror or window.
• Floor cleaning equipment A good mop and a cleaning agent suitable for the material (e.g., a separate agent for laminate or parquet).
• Supply replacements: Ensure that you always have toilet paper, kitchen roll, hand soap, shower gel, and dishwasher tablets in stock.

Remember that Airbnb cleaning also requires control of the scent world. Avoid overly strong chemicals that can cause allergic reactions. The goal is a neutral, fresh scent – that famous ”smell of a clean home”.

Kitchen cleaning checklist: Cleanliness is next to godliness

The kitchen is one of those places where guests spend the most time, and at the same time, it's the most difficult to keep perfectly clean. Even a small residue of grease stains or crumbs at the back of a cupboard can spoil the impression. With the kitchen, it's not enough for the dishes to be washed – you need to go deeper than the surface.

Kitchen checklist:

• Empty and clean the refrigerator of all food left by the previous guest (except for agreed-upon staples such as spices or oil).
• Clean the inside surfaces of the microwave and ensure there are no food splatters in the oven.
• Wipe down the coffee maker and kettle. Descale regularly to keep appliances working and looking like new.
• Check the oven and toaster. Empty the crumb tray of the toaster – this is often a forgotten detail!
• Clean the sink and tap until they gleam. Dry them to prevent limescale marks.
• Check the cleanliness of the dishes in the cupboards. Sometimes guests put poorly washed dishes back on the shelf.
• Take out the rubbish and wash the bins if necessary to avoid odours.

Also, ensure that the kitchen has fresh cloths and washing-up sponges for each new guest. A used dishcloth is unhygienic and gives a poor impression of the apartment's upkeep.

Bathroom and toilet: a shiny and hygienic result

While the kitchen is important, the bathroom is critical. This is a space where a guest is at their most vulnerable, and a lack of cleanliness feels most unpleasant. A single stray hair in the shower drain or on the rim of the toilet can ruin the entire guest experience.

When cleaning the bathroom, the emphasis is on disinfection and shine. Clean the toilet thoroughly from all sides, including the back and the base. Clean mirrors and glass walls so that no streaks are left. Polish the taps and shower heads – they are the ”jewels” of the apartment, conveying a high level of quality.

Don't forget to regularly empty and clean the floor drain. It's an unpleasant task but essential for preventing odours and blockages. Finish the space by arranging soft, clean towels neatly and ensuring that the soap and shampoo bottles are full and clean on top.

Bedroom: Hotel-style freshness and comfort

The bedroom's function is to provide a guest with a restful night's sleep. The most important element in this is the bed. When you make Airbnb cleaning -rounds, often start by changing the bed linen so that it has time to air before the room is finally closed.

Always use a clean, ironed (or well-mangled) set of sheets. White sheets are popular as they convey cleanliness and can withstand high-temperature washing. Check mattress protectors and pillow protectors for any stains after each use.

Dust-free cleaning should also be a priority in the bedroom. Wipe down bedside tables, headboards, and lamps. Vacuum under the bed – guests might drop things there, and you'll discover dust bunnies left by previous visitors. Air out the room thoroughly so the air is fresh when guests arrive. If your accommodation is located in Rovaniemi, the crisp northern air is an experience in itself.

Living room and communal areas: Cosiness and order

The living room is a place for relaxation and spending time together. Order is emphasised here. Fluff up the sofa cushions, fold the throws, and arrange the remote controls clearly in view. If there are books, magazines, or board games in the flat, make sure they are neatly stacked and all pieces are accounted for.

Dust often collects on electronics, such as behind and on top of the television. Wipe these surfaces with a microfibre cloth. Also check windowsills and the gaps between radiators. If the property has a fireplace, empty the ashes and ensure that kindling is ready for the next guest. This small effort will increase the value of your property in the eyes of guests and is part of a successful Airbnb strategy.

Hallway and outdoor areas: First impressions count

The hallway is the calling card of your home. It's the first space a guest sees when they open the door. Make sure the hallway is spacious and inviting. Remove any shoe marks and sand from the floor. Check that there is space on the coat racks for guests' clothes and that the lighting is working perfectly.

If your flat has a balcony or terrace, don't forget about them. Wipe down outdoor furniture of pollen or snow (depending on the season). Empty ashtrays if smoking is permitted outdoors. The first impression is made right in the yard or stairwell, so ensure that the path to the door is tidy and the flat number is clearly visible.

Finishing touches and final check before the guest arrives

Once the actual cleaning is complete, it's time to do a final inspection. Walk through the apartment with a visitor's eyes. Start at the front door and proceed room by room.

• Is there a fresh smell in the air?
• Are all the lights on and working?
• Are the welcome message, instruction manual, and Wi-Fi password easy to find?
• Are the taps dry and the mirrors spotless?
• Is the flat warm enough (especially in a Lapland winter)?

This ”quality assurance round” only takes a few minutes, but it's the moment when you'll notice those little things that might have been forgotten during the cleaning process. The polished final result is what separates a hobbyist from a professional host.

Pro Tips: How to Speed Up the Cleaning Process?

Time is money, and with Airbnb hosting, the turnaround time between check-out and check-in is often tight. Here are a few tips to streamline the process without compromising on quality:

1. Standardise the process: Create a written checklist for yourself or your cleaner. When things are always done in the same order, they proceed faster and the risk of errors decreases.
2. Tuple accessories Get two or three full sets of bedding and towels. Don't waste time waiting for the washing machine on site; take your dirty ones with you and make the bed with clean ones straight away.
3. Outsource to a professional If your apartment is popular and you receive a lot of bookings, cleaning can quickly become a full-time job. Professional Airbnb cleaning It's an investment that pays for itself with better reviews and your own free time.
4. Use the correct chemicals: Professional cleaning products work faster and more effectively than the cheapest options from supermarkets.

Airbnb hosting is a fantastic way to earn extra income and meet people from all over the world. For the experience to be rewarding for both parties, cleanliness is non-negotiable. With tourism in Rovaniemi growing, the standard of requirements is constantly rising, and we at Host It Oy are here to help you succeed.

Whether it’s a rental property or your own home, we’ll make sure your accommodation is always ready to welcome guests – sparkling clean and five-star worthy.