Airbnb cleaning in Mauritius: a host's turnover checklist

On Airbnb, cleanliness is scored on every stay, and it shows up in the reviews the next guest reads before booking. In the North and West of Mauritius, where so many villas and apartments are let to visitors, a good turnover is the difference between a listing that fills itself and one that does not.

A turnover is not an ordinary clean. It has a deadline, a standard set by the last five star review, and a checklist that goes beyond cleaning. This is the one we would give any host.

Before you start

• Open every window and door to air the property.
• Strip the beds and put the first load of linen and towels on.
• Empty every bin, including the bathroom ones.
• Do a quick walk round for damage and anything left behind.

Entrance and outside

Beach properties bring the beach in with them.

• Sweep or blow the terrace, steps and outdoor shower.
• Wipe outdoor furniture. Sea air leaves a film of salt that guests feel before they see.
• Rinse the outdoor shower and clear the drain of sand.
• Shake out or wash the door mats.

Bedrooms

• Make the beds with fresh linen, and check the mattress protector.
• Look under the beds and behind the bedside tables.
• Wipe bedside tables, lamps, switches and the air conditioning remote.
• Check wardrobes and drawers for anything left behind.
• Look for mould in wardrobes if the room was closed up for long.

Bathrooms

• Clean the shower, glass, toilet, sink and taps, and remove limescale.
• Clear hair from every drain.
• Wipe mirrors and polish the taps. Guests notice water marks first.
• Hang fresh towels and restock toilet paper, soap and shampoo.

Kitchen

• Empty and wipe the fridge, including the door shelves.
• Run and empty the dishwasher, and put everything back where it belongs.
• Wipe the hob, oven front, microwave inside and out, and the kettle.
• Sweep up crumbs straight away. In the tropics, ants find food within hours.

Living areas

• Vacuum floors, rugs and sofa cushions. Vacuum sand rather than sweeping it.
• Wipe tables, the television, remotes and switches.
• Clean glass doors and windows, which salt air hazes quickly.

Restock

Keep a written list and a locked store of supplies at the property, so nobody runs out in the middle of a turnover: toilet paper, bin bags, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, soap, shampoo, coffee, tea and sugar.

Last checks

• Test the air conditioning, hot water and wifi.
• Check every light works.
• Set the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature for arrival.
• Lock up and leave the keys or code exactly as the guide says.

When to hand it over

Doing turnovers yourself makes sense when bookings are few. Once guests change over often, or you live away from the property, a team that knows it protects your reviews and your weekends. We quote Airbnb turnovers by message, because every property and booking pattern is different.

Between guests, a periodic deep clean resets what turnovers only keep on top of, and humid months call for a look at our guide to mould in a Mauritian home.