Peak season is the most exciting—and challenging—time for vacation rental hosts. With calendars packed back-to-back and guest expectations at an all-time high, even the smallest housekeeping oversight can lead to negative reviews. That’s why having a streamlined and reliable cleaning process is absolutely essential.
Whether you manage a cozy cabin, a beachside condo, or a bustling portfolio of rentals, your success during peak season depends on how well your property is maintained between guests.
In this post, we’ll walk you through 10 essential vacation rental housekeeping tips to help you stay ahead of the chaos, wow your guests, and protect your 5-star reputation.
Ten Proven Vacation Rental Housekeeping Tips for Peak Season
Now, we will go through some extremely useful tricks and tips regarding Vacation rental housekeeping…
1.Stock Up on Cleaning Supplies
Preparing for peak season means avoiding last-minute rushes to buy cleaning products. Stocking up on all necessary supplies ahead of time keeps your housekeeping team efficient and ready for quick turnovers.
Make sure you have ample quantities of:
- All-purpose cleaners and disinfectants
- Glass and mirror cleaners
- Bathroom-specific cleaners
- Microfiber cloths, sponges, and mop pads
- Trash bags, gloves, and paper towels
- Laundry detergent and fabric softeners
Organize these items in a dedicated, easy-to-access storage area so your team can grab what they need quickly. Also, keep a backup stock of guest essentials like toilet paper, soap, and shampoo to ensure nothing runs out between bookings.
2.Use a Cleaning Checklist
Consistency is key to maintaining high standards during peak season, and a comprehensive cleaning checklist ensures your team never misses a spot. A well-structured checklist also helps new or temporary cleaners stay on track and guarantees every turnover meets your quality expectations.
Your cleaning checklist should include:
Kitchen:
- Clean and disinfect countertops, sink, and faucet
- Wipe down appliances (inside and out) including fridge, oven, microwave, and dishwasher
- Empty trash and replace liners
- Sweep and mop floors
Bathroom:
- Scrub toilets, showers, sinks, and tubs
- Clean mirrors and fixtures
- Replace towels and toiletries
- Sweep and mop floors
Bedrooms:
- Change bed linens and pillowcases
- Dust furniture and fixtures
- Vacuum carpets and under beds
- Check for any stains or damages
Living Areas:
- Dust all surfaces, including shelves, tables, and electronics
- Disinfect remote controls, light switches, and door handles
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Fluff pillows and tidy cushions
Entryways & Outdoor Spaces:
- Sweep porches and walkways
- Empty outdoor trash bins
- Clean doormats
For best results, laminate your checklist or integrate it into a digital app your team can easily access. This helps ensure thorough and consistent cleaning every time.
3.Train and Prepare Your Housekeeping Team
Even the best checklist won’t make an impact without a well-trained and motivated housekeeping team. During peak season, your cleaners need to work quickly without compromising quality—and that requires clear communication and preparation.
Here’s how to get your team ready:
- Host a walkthrough of your property and demonstrate exactly how you want things done.
- Review your cleaning checklist in detail, emphasizing must-do tasks and high-touch areas.
- Set expectations around timing, quality standards, and guest-ready presentation.
- Create a feedback loop so cleaners can report issues (like damage or supply shortages) right away.
- Offer training materials, such as videos or printed guides, for quick onboarding of new team members.
Investing in your team upfront helps prevent mistakes, reduces turnover times, and leads to more consistent 5-star guest experiences during your busiest months.
4. Use a Turnover Calendar or Scheduling App
During peak season, managing back-to-back bookings and multiple properties can become overwhelming. A missed cleaning or scheduling mix-up can lead to frustrated guests and bad reviews. That’s why using a turnover calendar or housekeeping app is a game-changer.
Here are some tools that can help:
TurnoverBnB – Syncs with your booking calendar and automatically schedules cleaners.
- Properly – Offers visual checklists and lets you track task completion in real-time.
- Breezeway – Ideal for larger operations, combining scheduling with maintenance and quality checks.
Benefits of using a turnover app:
- Automates cleaning assignments
- Sends real-time updates and reminders
- Prevents scheduling conflicts
- Tracks performance and timing
- Centralizes communication with your team
With a reliable system in place, you’ll streamline operations, reduce human error, and ensure your vacation rental is always guest-ready—even on the busiest days.
5. Prioritize High-Touch Surfaces
Cleanliness is one of the top priorities for guests—especially in today’s travel climate. During peak season, when guests come and go rapidly, paying extra attention to high-touch areas can make a big difference in both hygiene and guest satisfaction.
Make sure to disinfect these high-touch surfaces after every stay:
- Light switches and door handles
- TV remotes and thermostat controls
- Drawer and cabinet handles
- Faucet handles and toilet flush levers
- Stair railings, lamp switches, and charging stations
Use EPA-approved disinfectants and fresh cloths to prevent cross-contamination. This added layer of attention not only keeps your space sanitary but also builds trust with guests—leading to better reviews and more repeat bookings.
6. Do a Maintenance Check During Each Clean
Housekeeping isn’t just about tidying up—it’s also your first opportunity to catch and address minor maintenance issues before they turn into guest complaints. During every turnover, encourage your cleaning team to perform a quick visual inspection and report anything out of place.
Here’s what to look for:
- Leaky faucets or running toilets
- Burnt-out lightbulbs or flickering fixtures
- Broken blinds or curtain rods
- Wobbly furniture or loose doorknobs
- Signs of pest activity or water damage
- Malfunctioning appliances or electronics
Include a simple maintenance checklist as part of your cleaning routine. When your team catches issues early, you can fix them before the next guest arrives—saving time, money, and your rental’s reputation.
7. Replace Linens and Toiletries Generously
Nothing makes a guest feel more welcome than freshly laundered linens and well-stocked amenities. During peak season, when guest expectations are higher and turnovers are faster, it’s crucial to go above and beyond with cleanliness and comfort.
Best practices for linens and toiletries:
- Always use fresh sheets, pillowcases, and towels for every stay—no exceptions.
- Keep multiple linen sets on hand to speed up changeovers.
- Replace any stained or worn linens immediately.
Stock up on essential toiletries like:
- Soap and shampoo
- Conditioner and body wash
- Toilet paper and tissues
- Hand sanitizer or wipes
Offering thoughtful extras like cotton swabs, lotion, or makeup remover pads can also elevate the guest experience and earn rave reviews.
Guests notice when you’ve taken extra care—and in the competitive peak season, that can set your rental apart.
8.Streamline Your Laundry Process
Laundry is one of the most time-consuming tasks during peak season turnovers. To avoid delays and keep your vacation rental running smoothly, it’s essential to optimize your laundry routine for speed, efficiency, and consistency.
Tips to streamline your laundry process:
- Invest in high-capacity washers and dryers to handle bulk loads faster
- Use quick wash and dry settings for lightly used items
- Pre-sort linens by type (sheets, towels, pillowcases) to save time during folding
- Label and rotate linen sets to extend their lifespan and ensure even wear
- Keep at least 2–3 backup sets per bed so you’re never stuck waiting on laundry
- Consider outsourcing laundry to a professional service during high-volume weeks
Efficient laundry management reduces turnover stress, shortens prep time, and ensures every guest walks into a fresh, clean space—without fail.
9. Inspect the Property After Each Clean
Before guests check in, it’s essential to do a final walkthrough to ensure the property is not just clean—but flawless. A quick inspection after every clean helps catch missed spots, fix presentation issues, and double-check that everything is guest-ready.
What to inspect:
- Are beds made neatly with fresh linens?
- Are bathrooms spotless and stocked with toiletries?
- Is the kitchen clean, organized, and free of any food or trash?
- Are all high-touch areas sanitized?
- Do lights, TVs, and appliances work properly?
- Is the outdoor area clean and welcoming?
If possible, assign a dedicated inspector or property manager to review the space after each turnover. This extra layer of quality control can make the difference between an average stay and a 5-star review.
10. Stay Guest-Ready with Back-Up Plans
Peak season often brings surprises—cleaners may cancel last minute, machines might break down, or a same-day booking could catch you off guard. The best way to stay stress-free? Have solid backup plans in place.
Here’s how to prepare for the unexpected:
- Build a network of backup cleaners or cleaning services who can step in on short notice
- Keep extra sets of linens, towels, and toiletries in storage for emergencies
- Have a secondary laundry plan, such as a local laundromat or mobile laundry service
- Use cloud-based scheduling tools to reassign tasks instantly if someone is unavailable
- Communicate quickly with guests if there’s a delay—and offer a solution or small compensation when needed
Being proactive gives you peace of mind and ensures your rental stays guest-ready no matter what challenges arise.
Conclusion
Peak season can be a whirlwind for vacation rental hosts—but with the right housekeeping strategies in place, you can stay ahead of the rush and deliver a consistently 5-star experience. From stocking up on supplies and streamlining laundry to training your team and using smart scheduling tools, every detail counts.
Remember: cleanliness isn’t just about appearance—it builds trust, drives positive reviews, and keeps guests coming back.
By following these 10 housekeeping tips, you’ll not only survive peak season—you’ll thrive in it.
