Cleaning Checklists

Checklists ensure your cleaners follow a consistent routine every time they clean a property. Each checklist is a structured template with sections and items that gets copied into a cleaning task when that task is created. The cleaner then checks off items one by one as they work through the property.

Checklist structure

Checklists are organized in a three-level hierarchy:

1. Checklist -- The top-level template. Has a name, a cleaning type, and an optional listing assignment.
2. Sections -- Groups within a checklist that organize items by room or area. For example: "Kitchen", "Bathroom", "Bedroom", "Living Area", "Outdoor". Sections have a sort order that determines the sequence in which they appear.
3. Items -- Individual tasks within a section. Each item has a label (the task description the cleaner sees) and an optional description (additional detail or instructions). Items also have a sort order within their section.

This structure lets you build detailed, room-by-room checklists that guide cleaners through the property in a logical sequence.

Cleaning type assignment

Every checklist is assigned to one of the two cleaning types:

• Full Cleaning (full_cleaning) -- A comprehensive cleaning checklist with all items.
• Turnover Check (turnover) -- A lighter checklist for quick turnovers between guests.

This assignment determines which cleaning tasks use this checklist. When a cleaning task is generated (or when you change a task's cleaning type), the system looks for a checklist that matches the task's cleaning type and listing.

Per-listing and global default checklists

Checklists can be scoped in two ways:

• Per-listing -- Assigned to a specific property. A per-listing checklist takes priority and is used for all cleaning tasks on that listing. This is useful when a property has unique features that require specific cleaning steps (for example, a hot tub, a rooftop terrace, or special appliances).
• Global default -- Not assigned to any specific listing and marked as the default. This checklist is used as a fallback for any listing that does not have its own checklist. You typically create one default checklist per cleaning type that covers the standard routine for most of your properties.

Resolution order

When a cleaning task is created, the system selects a checklist using this priority:

1. A checklist assigned to the specific listing that matches the task's cleaning type.
2. If none is found, the user's default checklist for that cleaning type.
3. If no checklist is found at all, the task is created without a checklist (items can still be managed manually).

TIP

Start by creating two global default checklists -- one for Full Cleaning and one for Turnover Check. These cover the majority of your properties. Then create per-listing checklists only for properties that genuinely need a different routine. This keeps your checklist library manageable.

Creating a checklist

1. Go to Housekeeping in the sidebar.
2. Click the Checklists tab.
3. Click New Checklist.
4. Configure the checklist:
   • Name -- A descriptive name (for example, "Standard Turnover" or "Deep Clean -- Villa Seaside").
   • Cleaning type -- Select "Full Cleaning" or "Turnover Check".
   • Listing -- Optionally assign to a specific property. Leave blank to make this a global default.
   • Default -- Check this box if the checklist should be the default for its cleaning type (only relevant when no listing is assigned).
5. Add sections and items:
   • Click Add Section to create a new group (for example, "Kitchen").
   • Within each section, click Add Item to add individual tasks.
   • Each item needs a label (what the cleaner sees, such as "Wipe down all countertops"). You can optionally add a description with extra instructions.
   • Drag sections and items to reorder them. The sort order determines the sequence cleaners see when working through the task.
6. Click Save.

How checklists are used in tasks

When a cleaning task is created -- either automatically from a booking or manually -- the system finds the matching checklist and instantiates it. This means:

• A snapshot of the checklist's sections and items is copied into the task.
• Each checklist item becomes a checkable task item that the cleaner can mark as done.
• Changes to the checklist template after instantiation do not affect tasks that have already been created. This preserves the integrity of in-progress and completed tasks.

Cleaner workflow

When a cleaner opens a task with an attached checklist:

1. They see all sections and items organized in the defined order.
2. As they work, they check off each item. Checking the first item automatically transitions the task from "open" to "in progress" -- there is no separate "start" button.
3. Each checked item records who checked it and when.
4. Once all items are checked, the cleaner can mark the task as completed.

WARNING

A task cannot be completed until every checklist item is checked. If even one item remains unchecked, the completion will fail. This ensures nothing gets skipped.

Switching cleaning type on a task

If a task's cleaning type is changed after creation -- for example, upgrading a "Turnover Check" to a "Full Cleaning" because the property needs extra attention -- the system automatically swaps the checklist:

1. All existing task items are removed (any checked progress is lost).
2. The system finds the checklist matching the new cleaning type and listing.
3. New task items are created from the replacement checklist.

This ensures the cleaner always works from the correct checklist for the task's current cleaning type.

Completion settings

Two global settings control what cleaners see when completing a task. These are configured in Housekeeping > Settings and apply to all cleaning tasks across all listings.

Guest cleanliness rating

Controls whether cleaners are prompted to rate the departing guest's cleanliness on a 1-to-5-star scale:

• Off -- No rating prompt is shown.
• Optional -- The rating prompt appears but can be skipped.
• Required -- The cleaner must provide a rating before the task can be marked as complete.

Guest ratings help you track which guests leave properties in good condition and which ones require extra cleaning effort.

Completion notes

When enabled (the default), a free-text field is shown at completion time where the cleaner can leave notes about the cleaning -- observations, supply needs, or anything worth noting for the property manager.

Editing and deleting checklists

• To edit a checklist, open it from the Checklists tab, make your changes (add, remove, or reorder sections and items), and click Save. Sections and items that you remove from the editor are deleted. Existing items that you keep are updated in place.
• To delete a checklist, open it and click Delete. Deletion cascades to all sections and items within the checklist. Tasks that were already created with this checklist are not affected -- their instantiated items remain intact. However, future tasks for the affected listing will fall back to the default checklist (or have no checklist if no default exists).

WARNING

Deleting a checklist removes it permanently and cannot be undone. Make sure you have a replacement checklist ready before deleting an active one, or future cleaning tasks for that listing will be created without a checklist.

Related

• Cleaning Tasks -- How tasks are created and managed
• Housekeeping Dashboard -- Property status at a glance
• Assigning Cleaners -- Assign team members to tasks
• Reporting Issues -- Report problems found during cleaning