A turnover clean resets the home after every guest, and the guest pays for it through the cleaning fee. A deep clean goes behind, under and inside everything a turnover clean has no time for, and Guestwise recommends hosts book one once a month.
A guest opens the door, drops their bags and runs a hand along the kitchen worktop. Within a minute they have decided whether your home is clean. A turnover clean gets the home ready for that minute. A deep clean makes sure there is nothing hiding behind the sofa, on top of the wardrobe or inside the oven to change their mind.
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Key takeaways
- A turnover clean resets the home between guests. A deep clean reaches the places a turnover clean doesn't.
- Airbnb asks guests to rate cleanliness, and expects a home free of extensive dust, mould and pests.
- Dust builds up behind and under things, a little every week, where a turnover clean never reaches.
- A monthly deep clean stops that build-up before a guest sees it, and spots small problems before they become repairs.
What does a turnover clean cover?
A turnover clean happens after every guest checks out, in the few hours before the next guest arrives. The goal is simple: get the home back to exactly how the listing photos show it.
- Fresh linen on every bed and fresh towels laid out
- Bathrooms, toilets, showers and mirrors cleaned
- Kitchen surfaces, hob, microwave and fridge wiped, dishes washed and put away
- Every surface dusted, floors vacuumed and mopped
- Door handles, switches and remote controls wiped
- Bins emptied and supplies topped up
Our full checklist is on our cleaning standards page. The guest pays for the turnover clean through the cleaning fee on their booking.
What does a deep clean cover?
A deep clean takes longer and goes further, reaching everything a turnover clean has no time for:
- Behind and under furniture and appliances: sofas, beds, the fridge, the washing machine
- Skirting boards, door frames, radiators, light fittings, lampshades and ceiling corners
- Inside the oven, the extractor hood and its filter
- Fridge seals, the freezer, and inside every kitchen cupboard and drawer
- Limescale on taps and shower heads, and grout between tiles
- Mattresses and sofa cushions vacuumed, pillows and duvets checked
- Windows cleaned inside, blinds and sills wiped
- Bins washed out
| Turnover clean | Deep clean | |
|---|---|---|
| When | After every guest | Before the first guest, then once a month (recommended) |
| Goal | Ready for the next guest | Nothing left to build up |
| Reaches | Every surface a guest sees and touches | Behind, under, inside and on top of everything |
| Who pays | The guest, through the cleaning fee | You, at our deep clean rate, when you book one |
Illustration of a month with a deep clean booked, not real bookings or reviews.
Why book a deep clean once a month?
Dust doesn't wait for a deep clean. Every stay adds a little more behind the bed, along the top of the wardrobe and under the sofa. A turnover clean has a few hours and a full checklist, so those places slowly fill up. After a few months, one guest looks behind the TV, and the review says "dusty".
Airbnb asks guests to rate cleanliness separately from their overall stay, and says a home should be free of health hazards like mould and pests, and of extensive dust, pet dander and dirty dishes. A monthly deep clean keeps your home on the right side of that standard every time.
A monthly deep clean also means someone checks every corner of your home once a month. Early signs of damp, a slow leak under the sink or a loose tile get spotted and reported while they are cheap to fix.
What sets successful hosts apart?
The homes that earn five-star reviews stay after stay aren't cleaned harder on the day. They are kept clean in between. Hosts who deep clean on a schedule get:
- Fewer cleanliness complaints. Dust, hair and marks don't have time to build up.
- Better reviews. A home that is clean in every corner feels cared for, and guests say so.
- A home that lasts. Grease, limescale and grime removed early don't turn into damaged ovens, taps and grout.
How do you book a deep clean?
A monthly deep clean is our recommendation, not a requirement. You choose whether and how often. Ask your local manager, and we book the deep clean on a day between guests. Our cleaners work through the full deep clean list, photograph every room, and report anything that needs a repair. Each deep clean is charged to you at our deep clean rate, as with any clean not linked to a guest stay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a turnover clean and a deep clean?
A turnover clean happens after every guest and gets the home back to how the listing photos show it. A deep clean takes longer and reaches behind and under furniture, inside the oven and cupboards, and limescale and grout.
Who pays for each clean?
The guest pays for the turnover clean through the cleaning fee on their booking. The host pays for a deep clean, at Guestwise's deep clean rate, when they book one.
How often does Guestwise recommend a deep clean?
Before the first guest, then once a month.
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Sources
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax or insurance advice. Market figures are averages as of the date shown above and change every month. Speak to a qualified professional before you act on anything here.