Turning Over a Vacation Home Between Guests

Work in the Same Order Each Time

A turnover runs against a fixed deadline, because the next guests arrive whether the house is ready or not. Working in the same order on each turnover keeps the clean on schedule and makes it hard to skip a step.

Start by opening a few windows to air the house out, then strip the beds and get the first load of laundry going. Laundry is usually the slowest part of a turnover, so it should run in the background while you clean.

From there, work top to bottom and from the back of the house toward the front door. That way you finish at the entry with clean floors behind you.

Beds, Linens and Towels

Check each bed as you go, including sofa beds and bunks, since guests sometimes use more beds than you expect. Look at mattress protectors and pillows while you strip them, and pull anything stained for a separate wash.

Keeping two or three full sets of linens for each bed lets you make the beds right away and wash the used set on your own schedule. Count towels as you gather them so you know what needs replacing before the next stay.

Make the beds the same way each time. A neatly made bed is often the first thing a guest sees in a room, and it sets the tone for the rest of the house.

Kitchen and Bathrooms

Open drawers and cabinets as you go. Guests tuck things away in odd places, and a forgotten phone charger is easier to deal with now than after the next guest finds it.

• Clear out food guests left in the fridge and freezer, and wipe the shelves
• Run and empty the dishwasher, then check cupboards for dishes put away dirty
• Wipe counters, the stovetop, appliance fronts and the microwave inside and out
• Shake out the toaster and empty the coffee maker
• Scrub showers, tubs, toilets and sinks, and clean mirrors and glass
• Clear hair from drains
• Empty trash and recycling in each room and put in fresh liners

What the Coast Adds

A house near the ocean picks up its own kind of mess between stays. Sand is the main one: it comes in on shoes, towels and beach toys, then settles into rugs, sliding door tracks and shower floors.

Salt air leaves a hazy film on windows and glass doors, so they need wiping more often than they would inland. Cool, damp air can also leave a closed-up house smelling musty, and wet towels left in a pile can turn sour quickly.

• Vacuum rugs and upholstery for sand, and shake door mats outside
• Vacuum sliding door tracks before you wipe them
• Rinse the outdoor shower, if there is one, and clear sand from its drain
• Hang beach towels to dry fully before they go back on the shelf
• Check bathroom corners, caulk and closets for mildew
• Run the bathroom fans while you clean, and leave windows cracked if the weather allows

Restock and Reset

Restock before you reset, so you can see what is running low while the cupboards are open.

• Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and trash bags
• Hand soap, dish soap and dishwasher detergent
• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash, if you provide them
• Coffee, filters and any welcome basics you leave out
• Spare light bulbs and batteries for the remotes
• Clean towels laid out in each bathroom, with beach towels kept separate

The Final Walk-Through

Put the house back the way it looks in your listing photos, or the way you like to find it yourself. Move furniture back into place, leave the remotes in one spot, set the blinds evenly and return the thermostat to your usual setting.

Then walk the house one last time as if you were the guest arriving. Turn on the lights, run the taps, flush the toilets and check that the Wi-Fi details are where guests will look for them.

Note anything broken, stained or missing, and take a photo of each room once it is done. Photos give you a clear record of how the house was left if a question comes up after the next stay.

Last, close the windows you opened at the start, lock up and leave the entry light on if guests arrive after dark.