In Myrtle Beach's competitive short-term rental market, cleanliness is your most valuable asset. A single negative review about dirty conditions can tank your listing's ranking and deter bookings for weeks. One sparkling review that specifically mentions how clean the property was can drive bookings for months.
This checklist covers every area of a vacation rental turnover clean — the kind of systematic, room-by-room approach that professional cleaners use to ensure nothing gets missed between guest stays.
Before You Start: Supplies & Setup
- Check calendar for checkin time and work backward to set your deadline
- Photograph any guest damage before cleaning begins
- Report damage to host or property manager immediately
- Confirm you have sufficient clean linens, towels, and toiletries
- Bring all cleaning supplies including disinfectant, glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, and microfiber cloths
Kitchen Checklist
- Wash all dishes — check dishwasher and hand-wash anything left
- Wipe all countertops and backsplash
- Clean stovetop — remove grates and soak if needed
- Wipe oven interior and door (check for heavy spills)
- Clean inside microwave — this is frequently missed and frequently noticed
- Wipe exterior of all appliances — refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave
- Clean inside refrigerator — remove leftover food, wipe shelves and drawers
- Empty and sanitize sink, polish faucet
- Wipe cabinet fronts and drawer handles
- Replace or restock: dish soap, sponge, paper towels
- Sweep and mop floor
- Empty all trash and replace liners
Guest complaint trigger #1: A dirty microwave. It's the most commonly cited cleanliness complaint in STR reviews. Clean it every single turnover.
Bathroom Checklist
- Scrub toilet — under rim, seat, exterior base
- Clean and disinfect sink and faucet
- Scrub tub or shower — tile grout, glass doors, showerhead
- Wipe mirror until streak-free
- Wipe all surfaces including light switches and door handles
- Mop floor
- Empty trash and replace liner
- Replace: toilet paper (fresh roll + backup), hand soap, shampoo/conditioner, body wash
- Stage fresh folded towels — bath towels, hand towels, washcloths
- Check for hair in drain — clear if needed
Bedroom Checklist
- Strip all beds completely — sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers
- Inspect mattress protectors — replace if stained
- Make beds with fresh, clean linens
- Check under beds for forgotten guest items
- Vacuum or clean under beds
- Wipe all surfaces — nightstands, dressers, lamps
- Check closets for left items and ensure hangers are available
- Dust ceiling fan blades
- Vacuum carpet or sweep and mop hard floors
- Check that all lights work
Living Areas & Common Spaces
- Fluff and straighten all throw pillows and blankets
- Wipe down TV remotes — these are high-touch and frequently overlooked
- Clean TV screen
- Dust all surfaces
- Wipe light switches throughout property
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
- Vacuum or sweep and mop all floors
- Check sliding glass doors — clean tracks and glass
Need Professional STR Cleaning in Myrtle Beach?
Bakerss handles turnover cleaning, same-day turnovers, linen management, and restocking. We sync with your calendar.
Get a Free Quote →Exterior Areas (If Applicable)
- Sweep and wipe down deck or patio furniture
- Remove any trash or items left by guests outside
- Check grill — clean grates if used
- Hose down deck if needed
- Check that outdoor lighting works
Final Walkthrough
- Walk every room with fresh eyes before leaving
- Check that all trash has been removed from every room
- Confirm all lights are working
- Set thermostat to your standard guest welcome setting
- Confirm lockbox or keypad is functioning
- Photograph completed rooms as documentation
- Notify host or property manager the property is guest-ready
Why Myrtle Beach STR Cleaning Is Different
Myrtle Beach vacation rentals face specific cleaning challenges that don't exist in other markets. Sand gets tracked everywhere — in shoes, in beach bags, in pockets. It ends up in beds, on floors, in bathroom drains, and in kitchen drawers. A thorough Myrtle Beach turnover clean always includes extra attention to sand removal. The humid coastal climate also means bathrooms and kitchens need disinfection rather than just wiping — moisture creates conditions for mold and mildew to grow quickly in areas that aren't properly cleaned and dried.
Professional Myrtle Beach vacation rental cleaners — like the team at Bakerss — know these specific challenges and build them into every turnover clean as a standard practice, not an afterthought.