Short-term rental guests in Lubbock are a specific crowd: Texas Tech families on game weekends and graduation, patients and relatives visiting the medical district, and traveling professionals. They book on reviews, and the single biggest driver of a bad review is cleanliness. Not location, not price — a hair in the shower or a crumb in the drawer. Airbnb’s own host guidance is explicit that cleanliness is a core rating category. A consistent turnover checklist is the cheapest insurance a host can buy.
Before cleaning: the walk-through
- Open every door, drawer and closet. Note anything left behind or damaged.
- Photograph damage immediately, before anything is touched, for the resolution claim.
- Check thermostat, Wi-Fi, TV and locks are working.
- Strip all beds and gather towels first so laundry runs while you clean.
Kitchen
- Empty the fridge and freezer completely; wipe shelves. Leave only your standard welcome items.
- Run or hand-wash any dishes; check cabinets for dirty dishes put away by guests.
- Wipe inside the microwave, stovetop, counters and the fronts of every appliance.
- Restock coffee, filters, sweetener, dish soap, sponge, paper towels, trash bags.
- Empty and reline the trash; wipe the can.
Bathrooms
- Full sanitize: toilet, tub/shower, sink, mirror, floor. Remove every hair.
- Descale shower glass and fixtures — Lubbock hard water shows fast in photos.
- Restock toilet paper (two spare rolls visible), hand soap, shampoo/conditioner/body wash, fresh towels folded hotel-style.
- Empty trash, wipe the can, replace the liner.
Bedrooms
- Fresh sheets and pillowcases; inspect for stains before making the bed.
- Make beds to match your listing photos exactly.
- Check under the bed and in nightstand drawers for forgotten items.
- Dust surfaces, vacuum, wipe light switches and remotes.
Living areas and the whole house
- Vacuum and mop all floors; spot-check corners and under furniture.
- Wipe high-touch surfaces: door handles, switches, remotes, thermostat, keypad.
- Reset furniture and decor to the photo layout; fold throws.
- Check windows and mirrors for prints.
- Take out all trash and recycling; put bins out if it’s collection day.
Final staging and the host’s five-minute check
- Set the thermostat to a comfortable arrival temperature.
- Welcome items in place; house manual visible.
- Walk the entry path a guest will take and look at it with fresh eyes.
- Photograph key rooms as proof of condition at turnover.
- Note low supplies before they run out, not after a guest complains.
Game weekends and back-to-back bookings
Same-day flips — a late checkout followed by an early check-in — are where ratings get lost. Build buffer into your check-in/check-out times, have linens pre-washed and staged, and have a cleaning team you can count on to hit a two-hour window. If you’re managing more than one property, this is the point where most hosts hand turnovers to a dedicated service.
When to outsource
Our Airbnb and STR turnover service runs this exact checklist, handles linens and restocking, flags damage with photos, and schedules around your calendar — including the tight same-day flips on Tech game weekends. It’s how hosts keep a 4.9 without spending every Sunday with a mop.
Quick answers
How long should a turnover take?
A one-bedroom unit takes an experienced team 1.5–2 hours including linens; larger homes 3–4 hours. Build that into your check-in time.
Should I provide cleaning supplies for my turnover team?
A professional team brings their own. Hosts typically supply consumables — toiletries, coffee, paper products — or have the team restock from a closet.
What should I do if a guest damages something?
Photograph it before cleaning, note it in your records and file the claim promptly. A good turnover team flags damage to you with photos at every visit.
