When I ran my B&B, I quickly learned that having a clear B&B room cleaning checklist and schedule is essential. Cleanliness isn’t something guests will usually rave about (or even notice) when it’s perfect — but it’s the first thing they’ll mention (or have them running to the nearest review site) when it’s not.

A spotless guest room is just expected. A single hair in the sink, dust on the bedside table, or a smear on the mirror will stand out far more than the fresh flowers or the view from the window. If you’ve ever watched Four in a Bed, you’ll know how much attention people pay to the tiniest detail.

That’s why a room cleaning checklist can be your best friend. It keeps you organised, speeds things up, and stops you from forgetting the little jobs that can slip your mind when you’re juggling breakfasts, check-outs, phone calls, and making sure your lemon drizzle cake isn't burning.

Why a B&B Needs a Detailed Room Cleaning Checklist

Even the most experienced B&B owners have off days. You might be distracted, in a rush, or dealing with unexpected guests turning up early. That’s when small but important things get missed — clothes left in the wardrobe, a hair on the pillow, or yesterday’s tea bag left in the teapot.

A checklist means:

• Your standards stay consistent — whether it’s you cleaning or someone else
• You don’t miss the fiddly details that guests notice
• You save time by following the same order each time
• It’s easier to hand over cleaning to staff or a friend in an emergency

What to Include in Your Bed and Breakfast Cleaning Checklist

Your checklist should be tailored to your property. The first step is to work out what needs doing every time, and what can be slotted in when you aren't turning over all of your B&B rooms in one day - Hello Friday!

For example, changing the bed and cleaning the bathroom are non-negotiable every changeover. But dusting on top of the wardrobe or cleaning behind furniture could be saved for quieter days.

It’s worth walking through each room and noting down every single task — from emptying the bins to checking inside drawers and wardrobes for anything a previous guest might have left behind. Over the years I’ve found everything from iPads to phone chargers to whole wardrobes of clothes, and sometimes guests never even contact me to claim them. You don’t want your next arrival finding someone else’s belongings.

Step-by-Step B&B Room Cleaning Order for Faster Changeovers

Everyone has their own way of working, but a set order stops you from retracing your steps or missing something. My routine went something like this:

1. Open windows and do a quick scan of the room
2. Remove rubbish and anything left behind
3. Strip the bed and take linen straight to the laundry
4. Clean the bathroom first
5. Dust from top to bottom
6. Clean glass and mirrors until they sparkle
7. Remake the bed
8. Vacuum or mop, including under the bed
9. Restock the tea tray, water, toiletries, and the Forget-Me-Not Box
10. Put towels, robes, slippers etc back in the bathroom
11. Stand in the doorway for a final look — the same way a guest will see it when they first walk in

How to Schedule Daily, Weekly, and Monthly B&B Cleaning Tasks

It’s useful to split your checklist into:

• Daily/changeover jobs — the essentials you do without fail
• Weekly jobs — things like polishing chrome or wiping inside wardrobes
• Monthly jobs — deep cleaning grout or moving furniture to clean behind it
• Seasonal jobs — carpet shampooing, washing curtains, touching up paintwork

This avoids that “oh no” moment when you realise the same cobweb has been there for weeks. My spiders were Olympic-level web builders, so I learned to keep on top of it.

Extra Touches to Impress Bed and Breakfast Guests

While cleanliness is a given, a few well-thought-out extras can leave a lasting impression. One of my favourites was the “Forget-Me-Not Box” — stocked with a few essentials like razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton buds, sanitary products, and plasters. Most guests never used it, but the ones who did were always grateful (and many mentioned it in their review).

How to Keep Your B&B Cleaning Checklist Organised and Updated

You can print and laminate it, keep it on a clipboard, or have it as a Notion Template or Google Sheet you can check on your phone. The important thing is to keep it up to date and tweak it when you spot better ways of working.

If you’d like more inspiration, my Top 10 Cleaning Tips for Your Bed and Breakfast covers everything from designing rooms to be easier to clean to choosing the right equipment and products.

Editable B&B Cleaning Checklist Template for Course Students

I’ve taken the system I used in my own B&B and turned it into an editable Google Sheets template for B&B Academy students. It covers:

• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Tea tray and amenities
• Forget-Me-Not Box
• Deep-clean schedules by frequency

Get Full B&B Systems and Training in My Online Course

Cleaning is just one part of running a B&B. You also have guest experience, marketing, breakfasts, and all the other moving parts.

That’s what I cover in my online course, How to Start and Run a Bed and Breakfast. It’s practical, step-by-step, and built to help you run your business in a way that works for your guests and for you.

If you’re already running a B&B, the editable room cleaning checklist is included in the course.
If you’re just starting out, you’ll get the tools to set up good systems from day one.

👉 Find out more and enrol today