---
title: "Airbnb cleaning after long stays: what differs | Úklid 1-2-3"
description: "How to clean an Airbnb after weeks-long stays: kitchen, appliances, bathroom, odours, inventory checks and forgotten items. Extended step-by-step guide."
url: https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/uklid-airbnb-po-dlouhem-pobytu-hostu
language: en
updated: 2026-11-13
publisher: Úklid 1-2-3 (info@uklid123.cz, +420 608 486 486)
---

Businesses, SVJ and rentals

# Airbnb cleaning after long stays: how it differs from quick turnovers

After weeks-long stays, quick turnover cleaning won't suffice. What accumulates more, the order of operations, and how to check your inventory and handle forgotten items.

Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team · Published 13 November 2026 · Last reviewed 13 November 2026 · 6 min read

## In short

- After weeks-long stays, cleaning approaches deep cleaning standards: you wash not just surfaces but also appliance interiors, drains and filters.
- The kitchen (fridge, oven, extractor hood, dishwasher) and bathroom (limescale, drains, grout) accumulate the most dirt.
- Eliminate odours at their source – ventilate thoroughly, launder textiles, clean drains and bins – don't just mask them with fragrance.
- Before cleaning, check your inventory and photograph any forgotten items, storing them separately so you have evidence for the guest and potential claims.
- Allow more time than for standard turnovers, and ideally leave a full day before the next guest arrives.

After a long-term guest stay, clean as though you're doing minor deep cleaning, not quick turnover cleaning. First, walk through the flat, check your inventory and list any forgotten items. Then ventilate thoroughly, remove all textiles and wash the fridge interior, oven, microwave and dishwasher, clean the extractor hood filter, drains and limescale from the bathroom. Finally, wipe down the floors and prepare everything for the next guest.

## How long stays differ from standard turnovers

During a weekend stay, a guest mainly just uses the flat: they sleep, shower and make coffee. Someone living in the flat for several weeks cooks every day, does laundry, dries clothes indoors and spends more time at home. Dirt therefore gets into places you wouldn't touch during quick turnover cleaning.

The areas that typically get dirtier are:

- fridge and freezer interiors, including door seals,
- oven, microwave, hob and extractor hood filter (grease from daily cooking),
- dishwasher and washing machine (filters, seals, detergent dispenser),
- bathroom: limescale on taps and glass, hair in drains, grout around the bath and shower,
- textiles that don't change during quick turnovers: curtains, sofa cushion covers, mattress protectors,
- bins, the space under the sink and areas behind furniture.

You'll find the standard cleaning procedure for quick turnovers in the article [Airbnb cleaning between guests: quick turnover checklist](https://uklid123.cz/blog/airbnb-uklid-mezi-hosty) . Here we'll focus on what needs adding after a long stay.

## Before you start: inventory and forgotten items

Do this check before you clean or discard anything. Once the flat is clean, it's hard to prove what condition the guest left it in.

- **Photograph the flat's condition room by room** immediately after the guest leaves, including the kitchen, bathroom and floors.
- **Go through your inventory checklist**: crockery and cutlery, pots, towels, bedding, remote controls, keys, appliances and their accessories. If you don't have a list, make one now – it'll be useful for the next long stay.
- **Check for damage**: stains on the mattress and sofa, scuffed walls, broken appliances, blocked drains.
- **Check the places where forgotten items typically hide**: drawers and cupboards, fridge and freezer shelves, under the bed, hooks in the bathroom, chargers in sockets, laundry racks and the washing machine drum.
- **Photograph any forgotten items, store them separately and contact the guest** through the app's messaging system so everything is documented in one place.

Airbnb's guest rules state that guests should not leave belongings in the accommodation for storage or later collection without prior arrangement after checkout. They must also leave the flat in a condition that doesn't require excessive or deep cleaning, and dispose of rubbish in designated bins. If a guest is responsible for damage, missing items or unexpectedly high cleaning costs, they must pay a reasonable claim for compensation ( [Airbnb Guest Rules](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2894) ). The photos and inventory from this stage are evidence for any such claim.

Discard any opened food left in the fridge. Unopened non-perishable items can be offered to the next guests with the owner's agreement, or donated.

## Supplies and products

- gloves, microfibre cloths (separate ones for kitchen and bathroom), sponges and soft-bristled brush,
- washing-up liquid and all-purpose cleaner,
- degreaser for the kitchen and limescale remover for the bathroom,
- disinfectant if the situation calls for it (see below),
- vacuum with attachment for crevices and upholstery, mop and bucket,
- bin bags, a box for forgotten items, spare bedding and towels.

Always read the label on each product, wear gloves and ventilate as you work. Test any new product on a hidden spot first. Never mix bleach-based products with acids (e.g. limescale removers), ammonia or other cleaning products. The US CDC warns that mixing bleach with other products can produce fumes that are dangerous to inhale ( [Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach – CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-with-bleach.html) ).

## Cleaning procedure after a long stay

Work from top to bottom and from the dirtiest areas to the floor. Apply products for appliance interiors and limescale right at the start so they can work while you clean elsewhere.

- **Ventilate and remove all textiles.** Open windows, strip all bedding, mattress protectors, towels, bath mats and, if possible, cushion covers and curtains. For advice on washing bedding and towels for short-term rentals, see the article [Laundering bedding and towels for short-term lets](https://uklid123.cz/blog/prani-pradla-pro-ubytovani-airbnb) .
- **Remove rubbish and wash the bins.** After weeks, odours linger in the bin and under the sink even when bags are taken out. Wash bins with washing-up liquid and leave to dry.
- **Fridge and freezer.** Remove everything, take out shelves and compartments and wash them. Wipe the interior and door seals. See [How to clean a fridge](https://uklid123.cz/blog/jak-vycistit-lednici) for detailed instructions.
- **Oven, microwave, hob and extractor hood.** For the oven, follow the manufacturer's instructions, especially if it has a self-cleaning cycle or catalytic walls – detailed steps are in the article [How to clean an oven](https://uklid123.cz/blog/jak-vycistit-troubu) . Clean the metal grease filter in the extractor hood according to the manual.
- **Dishwasher and washing machine.** Clean the filters, seals and detergent dispenser and check the washing machine drum for any forgotten items.
- **Crockery and cupboards.** Go through the crockery, wash anything in the cupboards that looks used, and wipe the shelves and drawers.
- **Bathroom and toilet.** Remove limescale from taps, shower head and glass, pull hair from drains, clean grout and the toilet including the rim under the seat. Check silicone sealant for dark spots indicating mould.
- **Upholstery and mattresses.** Vacuum sofas and mattresses, treat stains according to the material type. For heavy soiling, professional shampooing may be worthwhile.
- **Dust and touch points.** Wipe shelves, windowsills, door frames, light switches, door handles and remote controls. Don't forget areas behind furniture and under the bed.
- **Floors.** Vacuum and wipe as the last step, including corners and skirting boards.
- **Final check and preparation.** Make the beds, top up supplies and inspect the flat as an arriving guest would.

## Odours after long stays

Odours from cooking, smoking or indoor laundry drying linger in textiles and soft furnishings. Fragrance, air freshener or diffusers won't remove them, only mask them. Work from the source:

- ventilate thoroughly and repeatedly, ideally with through-draughts,
- launder everything washable, including curtains and upholstery covers,
- clean bins, drain traps in the sink and shower, the fridge interior and the extractor hood filter,
- vacuum upholstery and mattresses; if odours persist, professional shampooing is worth considering.

If the guest has left strong smoke odours or other signs of house rule breaches, photograph them before cleaning.

## When to clean and when to disinfect

After normal stays, thorough cleaning with water, detergent and mechanical action is sufficient. The CDC states that cleaning alone removes most harmful viruses and bacteria from surfaces, and that disinfection is mainly worthwhile if someone in the home was unwell or for immunocompromised residents ( [When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home – CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) ).

If a guest reported illness, clean surfaces first, then disinfect. Let the disinfectant work on the surface for as long as the label specifies, keeping it wet throughout. Wash your hands afterwards.

## How much time to set aside

Cleaning after a weeks-long stay takes considerably longer than standard turnovers and shouldn't be squeezed into a few hours between departure and arrival. If occupancy allows, set aside a full day before the next guest arrives. This gives you time for laundry, drying textiles and any necessary repairs.

Airbnb's host rules state that the accommodation must be clean and free from health hazards such as mould or pests, and free from excessive dust, pet hair and dirty crockery before a guest arrives ( [Airbnb Host Rules](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2895) ). These issues are more likely after long stays, so a thorough final check is important.

If you'd rather not clean yourself, you can book [Airbnb and short-term rental cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/sluzby/uklid-airbnb) and agree the scope beforehand. Indicative prices are in our [price list](https://uklid123.cz/cenik) .

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does it take to clean an Airbnb after weeks-long stays?

It depends on the flat's size and how the guest used it. Expect cleaning to take significantly longer than standard turnovers because you'll be washing appliance interiors, drains and textiles that wouldn't normally be changed. If occupancy allows, set aside a full day before the next guest arrives for laundry, drying and any minor repairs.

### What should I do with items the guest has left behind?

Photograph the items, store them separately from the flat's furnishings and contact the guest through the app's messaging system to keep everything documented. Airbnb's guest rules state that guests should not leave belongings for storage or later collection after checkout without prior arrangement. Discard any opened food from the fridge; for other items, arrange with the guest how they'll collect or receive them.

### Do I need to disinfect the flat after a long-term guest?

After normal stays, thorough cleaning with water and detergent is usually sufficient. The US CDC recommends disinfection mainly if anyone in the home was unwell or for immunocompromised occupants. If you do disinfect, wash the surface first, follow the contact time on the label, ventilate well, wear gloves, and never mix bleach-based products with other cleaning agents.

### How do I get rid of odours in the flat after guests?

Tackle odours at their source, not by masking them with fragrance. Ventilate thoroughly and repeatedly, launder all bedding, curtains and upholstery, clean bins, drain traps, shower drains, the fridge interior and the extractor hood filter. Vacuum upholstery and mattresses. If odours persist in textiles – for example, from smoking – consider having the sofas and mattresses professionally shampooed. Document any particularly strong odours with photographs before cleaning.

### Why check the inventory before cleaning?

Once cleaned, it's difficult to document what condition the guest left the flat in. Photos and an inventory list taken immediately after checkout serve as evidence if you need to address missing items, damage or unexpectedly heavy cleaning. Airbnb's guest rules state that guests should pay a reasonable claim for damages or missing items if they're responsible.

## Sources

- [Ground rules for guests (Pravidla pro hosty) – Airbnb Centrum nápovědy](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2894) (checked 13 November 2026)
- [Ground rules for hosts (Pravidla pro hostitele) – Airbnb Centrum nápovědy](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2895) (checked 13 November 2026)
- [When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home – CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html) (checked 13 November 2026)
- [Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach – CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-with-bleach.html) (checked 13 November 2026)

Prepared by the Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team with the help of AI and verified against the sources listed. Manufacturers' instructions and regulations change: always follow the current wording of the source and the product label. This article is general information, not professional or legal advice. This article was translated from Czech with the help of AI. The sources are in the original language.

## Would you rather not clean yourself?

Choose a service and a part of Prague and you will see an estimated price straight away. We will get back to you with a date; the enquiry is non-binding.

[Calculate the price and request cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/poptavka?sluzba=kancelar) [How much does it cost](https://uklid123.cz/kolik-stoji-uklid-kancelare)

## Related articles

[Businesses, SVJ and rentals How often to clean common areas in a building: daily, weekly and quarterly tasks for SVJ How many times a week to clean the stairwell, how often the lift, and when the corridor windows. An indicative schedule by building size, from which the SVJ committee can prepare the brief. 12 November 2026 · 6 min read](https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/jak-casto-uklizet-spolecne-prostory-svj) [Businesses, SVJ and rentals Industrial cleaning of a production hall: what it includes, how to plan it and which safety rules apply The scope of production hall cleaning, planning around shifts, sharing information on risks under the Labour Code, and working with chemicals according to safety data sheets. 9 November 2026 · 6 min read](https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/uklid-vyrobni-haly-co-zahrnuje) [Businesses, SVJ and rentals Who is responsible for snow clearing and gritting outside an apartment building: SVJ and owners Public pavement, the building's own land, the garage entrance: a different party may be responsible for snow and ice on each area. An overview under the law and a procedure for the SVJ. 9 November 2026 · 6 min read](https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/zimni-uklid-snehu-pred-domem-svj)