How to develop a daily and deep cleaning schedule

Your main goal is to create three distinct cleaning checklists: one for quick daily servicing, one for thorough changeover cleans between guests, and a schedule for periodic deep cleans. Having these documented ensures nothing is missed, helps to train any staff you might hire, and guarantees every guest walks into a sparklingly clean space, which is a cornerstone of positive reviews.

The Three Types of Cleaning Checklist

To stay organised, break your cleaning down into three different levels. Each has a different purpose and level of detail.

1. Daily Servicing (For Occupied Rooms)

This is a light-touch refresh for guests staying for more than one night. The aim is to be quick and non-intrusive while making the room feel fresh again.

• Make the bed
• Empty all bins
• Replace any used towels according to your policy
• Top up tea, coffee, milk, and toiletries
• Give the bathroom sink and surfaces a quick wipe

2. Changeover Cleaning (For New Arrivals)

This is the most important clean you will do. It's the complete reset that happens after one guest leaves and before the next one arrives. It must be flawless.

• Strip all used bedding, towels, and bathmats
• Thoroughly clean and sanitise the entire bathroom, including the toilet, shower, sink, and floor
• Dust all surfaces, from the tops of wardrobes to the skirting boards
• Clean mirrors, picture frames, and any internal glass
• Check for and remove any items left by previous guests
• Vacuum carpets and wash any hard floors
• Make the bed with fresh linen
• Restock all amenities, welcome trays, and information packs

3. Periodic Deep Cleaning

These are the bigger jobs that maintain the property's condition over the long term. They don’t need doing for every guest, but they must be scheduled regularly to prevent things from looking tired.

• Shampooing carpets and rugs
• Washing curtains, cushion covers, and other soft furnishings
• Cleaning inside cupboards, drawers, and wardrobes
• Descaling kettles and shower heads
• Washing walls and touching up any scuffed paintwork
• Pulling out furniture to clean behind and underneath it

How to Build Your Checklists

Creating the checklists is straightforward if you follow a system.

1. Walk the Path of a Guest: Start at the front door and walk through every area a guest will use. Write down every single thing that needs to be cleaned or checked in each space.
2. Think Top-to-Bottom: When listing tasks for a room, structure them from the highest point to the lowest. You should always deal with dust and cobwebs before you vacuum the floor, so you aren't cleaning the same area twice.
3. Be Incredibly Specific: Don't just write "clean bathroom". Break it down into smaller tasks: "Scrub toilet bowl", "Sanitise toilet seat and handle", "Clean shower screen with glass cleaner", "Polish taps". This leaves no room for error or forgotten tasks.

Top Tip: Once you've created your checklists, laminate them or use a clipboard. This makes them a reusable, practical tool for you or your staff to use every single day, ensuring a consistent standard.

Scheduling Your Deep Cleans

While daily and changeover cleans are driven by bookings, deep cleaning needs a proactive schedule. Create a simple rota. For example, you could assign one room for a full deep clean each week. For less frequent tasks, like washing curtains or shampooing carpets, put a reminder in your calendar to do them every quarter or every six months. This approach turns a huge job into small, manageable tasks that keep your property in top condition year-round.