Airbnb Cleaning and Sanitizing Guide for Hosts
Airbnb expects every listing to be clean and free of health hazards before check in, and a solid routine is to clean every surface first, then sanitize or disinfect the high touch spots and bathrooms using products as their labels direct. Cleaning removes dirt and most germs; disinfecting kills most remaining germs, and it only works well on a surface that has already been cleaned.
Many hosts still remember Airbnb's enhanced cleaning process from 2020. This guide covers what Airbnb asks for now, how the terms differ, and a practical routine your cleaner can follow on every turnover.
What Airbnb expects today
Airbnb's Ground rules for hosts include cleanliness. As of October 2026, the article says:
- All listings should be clean and free of health hazards, such as mold and pests, before check in.
- Hosts should provide listings that meet a high standard of cleanliness, free of extensive dust, pet dander and dirty dishes.
- Hosts should clean between every stay: do laundry, take out trash, vacuum or sweep and wipe down surfaces.
What happened to enhanced cleaning
Airbnb introduced its enhanced cleaning protocol in 2020, during the pandemic. In June 2021 it updated its COVID 19 safety practices and simplified the cleaning guidance with input from an epidemiologist. For example, hosts no longer had to wash curtains between each stay or wash every dish in cupboards that guests had not used.
The ideas that lasted are the useful ones: clean before you disinfect, focus on high touch surfaces, and use products correctly. Check Airbnb's help center for anything current in your market, and follow local health rules where they apply.
Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting: the difference
The CDC's page on when and how to clean and disinfect your home defines them this way:
| Term | What it does | Typical product |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Removes most germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces | Soap or detergent and water |
| Sanitizing | Reduces germs to levels public health codes consider safe | Sanitizer or a weaker bleach solution |
| Disinfecting | Kills most germs on surfaces and objects | Registered disinfectant or a stronger bleach solution |
The CDC says that in homes, regular cleaning is usually enough, and it recommends disinfecting when someone is sick or at higher risk of getting sick. A short term rental sees a new household every few days, which is why many hosts disinfect bathrooms and high touch surfaces as part of every turnover.
The order that works
- Ventilate. Open windows while you work where the weather allows.
- Strip and start laundry. Beds and towels first, so the machines run while you clean.
- Declutter and remove trash. Clear surfaces so they can be cleaned properly.
- Clean top to bottom. Dust high surfaces first, then counters and furniture, and floors last.
- Clean before disinfecting. Wipe away dirt and residue with a cleaner so the disinfectant can reach the surface.
- Disinfect high touch surfaces and bathrooms. Follow the label, including contact time.
- Let surfaces dry, then reset and restock.
- Final walkthrough and photos.
Airbnb's resource center article on ensuring your place is sparkling clean gives similar advice: strip the beds and start laundry first, and sweep and mop floors last.
High touch surfaces to disinfect every turnover
- Door handles, knobs and locks
- Keypads, smart locks and key boxes
- Light switches and lamp switches
- Remote controls and game controllers
- Thermostats
- Faucet handles in kitchen and bathrooms
- Toilet seats and flush handles
- Fridge, microwave, oven and dishwasher handles
- Cabinet and drawer pulls
- Coffee maker and kettle handles
- Table tops and chair backs
- Stair railings
Keep this list in your turnover checklist so it is not left to memory. My Airbnb turnover checklist has space for it.
Using products safely and correctly
The CDC's guidance includes these points:
- Read and follow the label on every product.
- Keep the surface wet for the full contact time listed on the label, so the product has time to work.
- Do not mix products or chemicals with each other.
- Ventilate while using products.
- Keep products away from children and pets, and wash hands after use.
The EPA keeps lists of selected EPA registered disinfectants if you want to check a product. For a guest facing home, also think about residue: rinse or wipe food contact surfaces if the label says to, and avoid heavy scents, since a strong chemical smell can put guests off.
Laundry and soft surfaces
- Wash sheets, pillowcases, towels and bath mats after every stay.
- Use the warmest water setting the fabric label allows and dry completely.
- Keep mattress and pillow protectors on every bed and wash them on a regular cycle, and after any spill or illness.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture every turnover and deep clean it on a schedule.
See how to keep Airbnb white towels and sheets white for stain routines.
When a guest was sick
If you learn a guest was ill, step up the turnover:
- Give the cleaner gloves and ask them to ventilate first.
- Disinfect all high touch surfaces and bathrooms, following label contact times.
- Wash all linens, including blankets and throws, and mattress protectors.
- Clean soft surfaces as their labels allow.
- Consider extra time between stays if your calendar permits.
Proving the clean happened
Guests cannot see disinfection, but they can see the results of a careful clean: a spotless bathroom, a made bed, a tidy kitchen. Photos from the same angles after every turnover show the visible part and give you a dated record if a guest raises a concern later.
Clyn checks that visible part for you. Your cleaner takes photos in the Clyn app, blurry or dark shots are sent back for a retake, and the AI checks every photo against your property's standard before check in. It cannot confirm a surface was disinfected, so keep that on the checklist, but it will catch the bathroom that was missed or the kitchen that was not reset. For the full picture of what to check, see the Airbnb inspection checklist.
FAQ
Is Airbnb's enhanced cleaning process still required?
Airbnb introduced it in 2020 and simplified it in June 2021. Today, Airbnb's ground rules for hosts say listings should be clean and free of health hazards before check in and cleaned between every stay. Check the Airbnb help center for current requirements.
Do I need to disinfect my Airbnb after every guest?
The CDC says regular cleaning is usually enough in homes and recommends disinfecting when someone is sick or at higher risk. Many hosts still disinfect high touch surfaces and bathrooms every turnover because each stay brings a new household.
What is contact time on a disinfectant?
It is how long the surface must stay wet with the product for it to work. The CDC advises keeping the surface wet for the entire contact time shown on the label.
If you want every turnover checked before check in, you can try Clyn free on one property at clyn.com.