Running an Airbnb on the Sunshine Coast can be rewarding, but the cleaning side of hosting is where many people underestimate the work involved. Guests expect hotel-level cleanliness, reviews are public, and one complaint about a dirty property can cost you bookings for months.

Whether you are managing one apartment in Mooloolaba or a holiday house in Noosa, getting your cleaning process right is essential. Here is what experienced hosts have learned the hard way.

Guest Expectations Have Changed

These days, Airbnb reviews specifically ask about cleanliness, and anything less than five stars drags your listing down in search results. Guests expect:

• Spotless bathrooms. No hair, no soap residue, no mildew.
• Fresh, crisp linen. Stained or musty-smelling sheets are an instant negative review.
• A clean kitchen. Inside cupboards, clean appliances, no crumbs in drawers. Guests open everything.
• No signs of the previous guest. That means removing all rubbish, checking under beds and couch cushions, and resetting the space completely.

On the Sunshine Coast, guests also notice sand. It tracks in from the beach and ends up in showers, on floors, and in beds. A proper vacuum and mop after every turnover is non-negotiable.

Building an Efficient Turnover Process

The best hosts treat turnovers like a system:

Create a checklist and use it every time. A written checklist prevents things being missed, especially when rushing between back-to-back bookings. Laminate it and leave it at the property if you have a cleaner.

Work top to bottom, back to front. Start with ceilings and fans, work down to surfaces, then floors last. Start at the back of the property and work toward the front door.

Stock a cleaning caddy at the property. Keep all supplies on-site so nothing gets forgotten. Include spare linen, cleaning products, rubbish bags, and spare light bulbs.

Time yourself. A two-bedroom apartment typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours for a thorough clean. Knowing this helps you schedule bookings realistically.

Linen Management

Linen is one of the trickiest parts of Airbnb hosting on the Sunshine Coast. The humidity means sheets and towels can develop a musty smell if not dried properly or stored in a poorly ventilated space.

Wash linen in hot water to kill dust mites and bacteria. Avoid fabric softener on towels — it reduces absorbency.

Dry linen completely before folding. In our climate, this often means using a dryer rather than relying on line drying alone. Damp-folded linen will smell musty within days.

Maintain enough sets for back-to-back bookings. At minimum, three full sets per bed: one on, one in the wash, one ready to go.

Managing Peak Season

The Sunshine Coast peak season — school holidays, Christmas through late January, and Easter — brings a surge in bookings. This is when cleaning logistics get challenging.

Book your cleaner well in advance. Professional Airbnb cleaning services fill up fast on the Sunshine Coast during holidays. Lock in availability before you accept bookings.

Avoid same-day turnovers during peak season if possible. A checkout at 10am and a check-in at 2pm leaves very little margin. Build in a buffer day where you can.

Pre-stock consumables before the busy period. Toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and coffee pods bought in bulk save you from mid-season shopping runs.

Details That Earn Five-Star Reviews

Small touches set top-rated properties apart:

• Wipe down the TV remote, light switches, and door handles. High-touch surfaces that previous guests used constantly.
• Check outdoor areas. Sweep the balcony, wipe outdoor furniture. Sunshine Coast properties sell on their outdoor spaces.
• Leave the air conditioning on before guests arrive in summer. A cool, fresh space makes a strong first impression.
• Remove cobwebs from corners and eaves. Spiders love the Sunshine Coast and guests do not love finding webs.

When to Outsource

Many hosts start by doing their own cleaning, and that works fine for a single property with occasional bookings. But as bookings increase, the time commitment becomes significant.

Professional Airbnb cleaning services understand what guests and the platform expect. They follow consistent processes, bring their own supplies, and handle linen management. The cost is a business expense that protects your reviews and your listing’s ranking.

Your cleaning standard is your reputation. On the Sunshine Coast, competition between listings is fierce. Guests have options, and they filter by cleanliness ratings. Getting this right is the foundation of a successful hosting business.