How Often Should You Deep Clean a Vacation Rental?
Frequency by occupancy
According to Blue Coast Cleaning Service, most properties benefit from a deep clean every three to six months. According to Operto, if a property turns over more than three times a week, monthly deep cleans help catch buildup that turnover cleans miss.
| Occupancy Level | Deep Clean Frequency |
|---|---|
| Low (under 40%) | Every 6 months |
| Moderate (40-65%) | Every 3-4 months (quarterly) |
| High (65%+, 3+ turnovers/week) | Monthly |
| Seasonal properties | Before and after peak season |
According to Breezeway, Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals by Meredith Lodging schedules deep cleans twice a year. This aligns with the lower end of the range for properties with moderate occupancy.
Deep clean vs. turnover clean
A turnover clean happens between every guest and covers surfaces, bathrooms, kitchens, linen changes, and restocking. A deep clean goes further: pulling out appliances, scrubbing grout, cleaning inside ovens and refrigerators, washing windows, shampooing carpets, and addressing areas that accumulate grime over many turnovers.
According to CR Maids, deep cleans take 2 to 3 times longer than a standard turnover. For a 3-bedroom property where a turnover takes 5 to 6 hours, a deep clean can take a full day.
Sources
- Blue Coast Cleaning Service. Deep Cleaning Every Vacation Rental
- Operto. Vacation Rental Cleaning and Maintenance 2025
- Breezeway. The Ultimate Guide to Deep Cleaning Your Vacation Rental
- CR Maids. Deep Cleaning vs. Turnover Cleaning for Vacation Rentals