Cleaning a holiday let in-between stays can be a challenge and it’s best to stick to a checklist when cleaning a property, either yourself or for an employed cleaner or a holiday home management agency. Each job is then tackled in strict order, ensuring nothing is missed and discovered by the incoming guest.

So a typical checklist will allow a cleaner to work through each room, vacuuming and cleaning, changing bed linen and preparing the property for the next guest. But there are some non-regular tasks which don’t require weekly attention or can easily get missed, so here we list out top ten checks for a spotless holiday home.

1. Dust behind the bed headboard

Not typically a weekly task, but dust can amass behind the headboard, so pulling each bed out every few changeovers will ensure these areas stay clean. Depending on the bed frame and flooring in the bedroom, this is also a good time to vacuum or sweep underneath the bed.

2. Crumbs inside the toaster

The toaster can be a much maligned item in the kitchen, where crumbs gather in the bottom of the toaster out of sight. Many toasters have a crumb tray which can be removed to be emptied and cleaned.

3. Grease on the kitchen cupboard tops

This is the cumulation of meals cooked in the kitchen; a gradual build up typically out of the guest’s sight which can be accelerated by non-use of a extractor fan and the type of food cooked. So running a finger along the top of kitchen wall cupboards periodically will identify build-up.

4. Dust under the sofa on laminate and real wood floors

Out of sight, out of mind? Laminate and real wood floors are popular for holiday lets, being easier to clean. But dust will gather in hidden areas so large pieces of furniture will need periodically moving to sweep under them. Also check under dining room sideboards and behind full-height curtains.

5. The seal on the fridge/freezer

The fridge/freezer is a particularly important area for guests where cleanliness and hygiene are very important. The seals around the doors do not typically attract dirt, but a regular check will avoid guest complaints and concerns.

6. Check the batteries in appliances, especially remote controls

This involves checking the batteries have not run out in items such as remote controls for TVs, DVD players and any other electrical appliances such as torches, wall clocks and smoke alarms.

7. Check all light bulbs work

This is a simple task to carry out as the changeover clean takes place. Don’t forget freestanding lights around the property and external lights if included.

8. Check the time is correct on clocks

A simple task to do and it is highly unlikely that a previous guest will have changed the time, though it could have been changed accidentally on a TV or oven while trying to set timers for example. Check the time on items such as the DVD player, oven and microwave, and of course on clocks throughout the property.

9. Checking all drawers

A standard clean should cover this, but guests may leave items such as clothes or food. So check the bedrooms for items which have been accidentally left and remove them to be forwarded on. In the kitchen, it is best to remove opened and half used items of food and drink. Elsewhere look for newspapers, pens and personal items left in living areas for example.

10. Top up cleaning materials

Typically a guest will be expected to leave the property in the condition they found it. In reality, the property will be left in varying degrees of cleanliness by departing guests. However, it is good practice to leave cleaning materials in the property, such as surface cleaner, bleach, bin liners and so on for guests so they can clean the property at their discretion.