If you host a vacation rental on Amelia Island, you already know turnover cleaning is the most operationally important part of running the property. The cleaner your turnover process, the better your reviews, the fewer guest complaints, and the more time you keep for the rest of your life. Here’s the exact checklist we use on Amelia Island vacation rentals — adapt it for your own use, hand it to your cleaner, or give it to your property manager.
Quick answer: a complete vacation rental turnover should cover full property reset (every room cleaned), linen handling (strip and wash or swap), supply restocking, damage and inventory check, photo documentation, and final guest-ready confirmation.
Phase 1 — Arrival & Inspection
- Confirm guest has fully checked out (no belongings, doors unlocked, etc.)
- Walk through and note any damage, stains, or missing items
- Photograph anything unusual for host’s records
- Check for items left behind (lost & found bag for host)
- Note inventory — coffee, paper goods, soap, anything running low
Phase 2 — Strip & Pre-Treat
- Strip all beds — sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors if soiled
- Strip all towels and bath mats
- Pre-treat any obvious stains on linens
- Apply cleaning agents that need dwell time (bathroom scum, oven if used)
- Empty all trash and recycling
- Run dishwasher if dishes are dirty
Phase 3 — Bedroom Reset
- Make beds with fresh, pre-laundered linens (or remake after washing)
- Replace pillows on bed
- Dust all surfaces — nightstands, dressers, headboards
- Clean mirrors
- Check under bed for guest items and dust
- Vacuum or sweep and mop floors
- Empty trash, replace liner
- Check closet — empty hangers organized, no guest belongings
Phase 4 — Bathroom Reset
- Scrub toilet — bowl, seat, exterior, base
- Scrub sink and counter
- Scrub tub and/or shower — including walls
- Wipe shower glass
- Polish all fixtures (faucets, handles)
- Clean mirror
- Empty trash, replace liner
- Replace towels and washcloths (fresh, neatly arranged)
- Restock toilet paper (always at least 2 fresh rolls visible)
- Restock soap, shampoo, conditioner if you provide them
- Check hair dryer working
- Sweep/vacuum and mop floors
- Wipe down exhaust fan vent if dusty
Phase 5 — Kitchen Reset
- Empty dishwasher and put dishes away
- Wash any remaining dishes by hand
- Wipe all counters and backsplashes
- Scrub sink, polish faucet
- Clean exterior of all appliances (stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge)
- Wipe stovetop — grease and spills
- Open and check microwave (wipe interior if needed)
- Open and check oven (wipe interior if needed)
- Check fridge — remove guest leftovers, wipe interior shelves, restock starter items if you provide them
- Wipe cabinet exteriors
- Restock paper towels, dish soap, dishwasher pods, sponges
- Restock coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, and welcome amenities
- Empty trash and recycling, replace liners
- Sweep and mop floors
Phase 6 — Living Areas Reset
- Fluff and arrange couch cushions; check under cushions for items
- Fold throw blankets and arrange them neatly
- Dust all surfaces — TV stand, coffee table, side tables, shelves
- Wipe down TV remotes (high-touch, gets sticky)
- Test TV remote works; reset to home screen
- Reset any smart speakers, hubs, or game systems
- Check decor is intact and arranged correctly
- Vacuum carpets and rugs; sweep and mop hard floors
- Empty trash
Phase 7 — Outdoor Areas (Critical for Beach Houses)
- Sweep porch, lanai, deck, or patio
- Wipe outdoor furniture (sand, salt, pollen accumulate fast on Amelia Island)
- Empty outdoor trash and recycling
- Check grill — empty drip tray if used
- Check beach gear if provided — sand off, beach chairs folded, umbrellas closed
- Sweep entry mat and walkway
Phase 8 — Final Walkthrough
- Walk every room with the guest’s eyes — first impression check
- Check thermostat is set to host’s preferred guest-ready temperature
- Confirm all lights work and are turned to standard “guest arriving” setting
- Lock all windows and exterior doors not used for entry
- Confirm all doors and locks operate correctly
- Check Wi-Fi router is on and working
- Confirm welcome book / house rules / instructions are present and readable
- Take final photos for host’s records and listing photo verification
- Notify host that property is guest-ready (text, app, email — whatever your system)
Phase 9 — Reporting Back to Host
- Damage report (with photos) if anything was found
- Lost & found list
- Inventory low list — what supplies need restocking
- Maintenance flags — burned-out bulbs, slow drain, leaky faucet, etc.
- Confirmation that property is guest-ready
Periodic Deep Clean (Don’t Skip This)
Turnovers handle the visible reset, but they don’t replace periodic deep cleaning. Build a deep clean into your operations every 1–3 months depending on booking volume:
- Inside ovens and microwaves
- Inside refrigerators (full empty and clean)
- Inside cabinets and drawers
- Baseboards, blinds, ceiling fans
- Window sills and tracks
- Behind and under furniture
- Carpet shampoo or steam clean (every 6–12 months)
If you skip this, dust and grime build up in places guests don’t notice immediately but eventually start showing up in reviews. See our deep cleaning service →
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be on a vacation rental cleaning checklist?
A vacation rental cleaning checklist should cover: full property reset (every room cleaned), linen handling (strip and wash or swap), supply restocking, damage and inventory check, photo documentation, and final guest-ready confirmation.
How long does a vacation rental turnover take?
For a 2–3 bedroom unit on Amelia Island, a thorough turnover usually takes 2.5–4 hours with a 2-person team. Larger beach houses or homes with more bathrooms take longer.
What’s the difference between a turnover clean and a regular clean?
A turnover clean focuses on speed and consistency to prepare a property for the next guest. It includes linen handling and restocking that aren’t part of a regular clean, but skips deep-detail work like inside cabinets and appliances. Properties also need periodic deep cleans on top of regular turnovers.
Hire a Professional Turnover Team
If you’d rather not run turnover cleanings yourself, we handle them for hosts and property managers across Amelia Island. Same-day turnovers, linen handling, restocking, damage checks, and the level of communication that hosting actually requires.
Call (904) 605-4582 or see our vacation rental cleaning service page for details.