What I’d Change About Airbnbs (From a Cleaner’s Perspective)

After cleaning short-term rentals, you start to notice a pattern: many Airbnbs are designed to look good in photos, not to function well in real life. While aesthetics matter, the behind-the-scenes reality—turnovers, laundry, durability, and time—often gets overlooked.

Here’s what I’d change to make Airbnbs cleaner, more efficient, and honestly, better for both guests and hosts.

Less Furniture — But Better Quality

More furniture does not equal better experience. In fact, it usually means more surfaces to dust, more items to move, and more places for dirt and damage to hide.

I’d recommend:

• Fewer pieces overall

• Sturdy, well-built furniture (not cheap, wobbly items that break quickly)

Cleaners can work faster, and guests get a space that feels intentional instead of cluttered.

No Bunk Beds

Bunk beds might seem like a great way to maximize sleeping space, but from a cleaning perspective, they’re a nightmare.

• Hard to reach top bunks

• Difficult to change sheets properly

• Safety concerns when rushing turnovers

A better alternative? Simpler, accessible sleeping setups that don’t slow everything down.

Rethink the Beds: Murphy & Trundle Options

Instead of cramming rooms with bulky beds, I’d suggest:

• Murphy beds (fold away, save space, easier cleaning access)

• Trundle beds (practical, flexible, and easier to manage than bunks)

These options keep spaces open while still accommodating guests.

Simplify the Bedroom Setup

Bedrooms don’t need to be overloaded. A clean, minimal setup works best:

• One bed

• One side table

• One dresser or a closet with hangers

That’s it. Easy to clean, easy to maintain, and still comfortable for guests.

Cut Down on Pillows

Too many pillows slow everything down.

Ideal setup:

• 2 good-quality, fluffy pillows for queen/king beds

• 1 pillow for twin beds

Focus on comfort, not quantity. Guests would rather have a couple of great pillows than a pile of mediocre ones.

No White Sheets

White sheets look nice—but they’re high-maintenance and unforgiving.

Instead:

• Use different colored sheets for each bed

• Makes sorting laundry faster and easier

• Helps identify which set belongs where

This small change saves serious time during turnovers.

Skip the Duvets & Bulky Comforters

Large comforters and duvets are:

• Hard to wash frequently

• Time-consuming to remake

• Often not cleaned as often as they should be

Simpler bedding = faster cleaning and better hygiene.

Scale Back the Kitchen Supplies

More isn’t always better in the kitchen.

Common issue:

• Overloaded cabinets with mismatched, rarely used items

A better approach:

• Keep only essential cookware and utensils

• Enough for the guest capacity, nothing excessive

This makes it easier to clean, organize, and keep track of everything.

Too Much Decor = Too Much Work

Decor is one of the biggest time-wasters during cleaning.

• More items = more dusting

• More things to move, break, or misplace

Keep decor simple and intentional. A few well-chosen pieces go a long way.

Backup Supplies: Keep It Reasonable

Stocking extras is good—but overdoing it creates clutter and confusion.

Ideal setup:

• 2 backup sheet sets per bed

• Not excessive piles of linens or random extras

This keeps things organized and manageable.

The Bottom Line

From a cleaner’s perspective, the best Airbnb isn’t the one packed with the most stuff—it’s the one designed with efficiency in mind.

When a space is:

• Simple

• Durable

• Easy to maintain

…it benefits everyone:

• Cleaners can do a better job, faster

• Hosts save money on damage and turnover time

• Guests walk into a space that feels clean, calm, and functional

Sometimes, less really is more.