How Often Should You Deep Clean a Short-Term Rental?

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Posted: 12/9/25 | December 9th, 2025

Authors: Brett Auclair, Jackson Cozzens-Forgione

One of the key decisions successful short-term rental hosts make is how often to schedule deep cleaning beyond the standard turnover clean between guests. While every property and market is different, industry guides and professional cleaners coalesce around clear recommendations based on guest traffic and property usage.

Recommended Deep Cleaning Frequency

Most industry experts recommend scheduling a deep clean every 3–6 months for short-term rental properties. Deep cleaning goes beyond standard turnover cleaning and focuses on built-up dust, grime, and overlooked areas such as baseboards, grout, appliances, and hard-to-reach spaces. Regular deep cleaning helps maintain hygiene standards, protect furnishings and surfaces, and ensure the property continues to meet guest expectations over time.

The ideal deep cleaning frequency can vary depending on occupancy levels, guest behavior, and environmental factors. High-traffic rentals, homes with pets, or properties near lakes, beaches, or wooded areas may require more frequent deep cleans. Seasonal use and longer stays can also impact cleaning needs. Treating deep cleaning as preventative maintenance helps reduce guest complaints, preserve property condition, and support consistent five-star reviews.

• High-traffic rentals (many back-to-back stays) — every 2–3 months may be optimal (airbandbcleaning.com).

• Moderate usage properties — aim for a quarterly deep cleaning schedule (every 3–4 months) (airbandbcleaning.com).

• Lower turnover or seasonal rentals — every 6 months is often sufficient.(Hostfully).

These recommendations come from both professional cleaning service guidelines and property management best practices, which stress that turnover cleaning (done after every guest) maintains surface cleanliness, but deep cleaning targets hidden areas that guests notice subconsciously.

Why This Matters

Although there isn’t a single universal industry survey with exact percentages for every host, related data shows that cleanliness is the top priority for guests when choosing a rental: about 81 % of guests rank cleanliness as a critical factor in their booking decisions, and it directly influences review scores and future bookings (Hospitable).