Kitchens are one of the most used areas in any Airbnb. Whether your guests stay one night or one month, they’re likely using the fridge, microwave, kettle, and maybe even cooking full meals.
A dirty or poorly maintained kitchen can lead to guest complaints, bad smells, and lost bookings. This blog shares essential Airbnb kitchen cleaning tips to help you maintain hygiene, avoid issues, and deliver 5-star stays—without wasting time or effort.
Why Kitchens Matter So Much in Guest Reviews
Guests expect a clean and usable kitchen, even if they don’t cook. Dirty appliances, old food smells, and greasy benchtops can make guests question the overall cleanliness of your property.
Poor kitchen hygiene often leads to:
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Complaints about smells
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Guests requesting refunds
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Negative reviews
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Damaged cookware or stained surfaces
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Pest risks from leftover crumbs or food
With regular, simple habits, you can keep your Airbnb kitchen guest-ready after every checkout.
1. Start With a Kitchen-Specific Cleaning Checklist
Use the same checklist every time. Your kitchen turnover clean should include:
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Wipe and sanitise all benchtops
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Scrub the sink and rinse drains
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Clean stovetop and control knobs
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Wipe appliance exteriors (microwave, fridge, kettle)
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Clean inside microwave and fridge
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Empty all bins and replace liners
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Mop or wipe the floor
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Check for leftover food in cupboards and drawers
At Mi Casa Cleaning Solutions, this is part of every AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast visit.
2. Empty and Clean the Fridge and Freezer Every Time
Even if it looks clean, check for:
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Forgotten food
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Sticky jars or leaked containers
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Smells or mould near seals
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Dirty vegetable drawers
Wipe shelves with warm soapy water or disinfectant spray, and leave the door open briefly to air it out.
3. Don’t Forget the Microwave (Inside and Out)
Food splatters inside the microwave are a common guest complaint. Wipe:
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Inside walls and roof
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The glass turntable (remove and wash)
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Exterior buttons and handle
Tip: Heat a bowl of water with lemon for 2 minutes to loosen grime before wiping.
4. Clean the Rangehood and Stovetop Thoroughly
Even if the guest didn’t cook, oils and dust collect. Wipe:
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Under the rangehood
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Control dials
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Behind the stovetop
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Inside the rangehood filters (monthly)
This keeps the kitchen looking and smelling fresh.
5. Use the Right Products for Each Surface
Avoid damage by matching cleaners to the surface:
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Stainless steel: use a non-abrasive spray and microfiber cloth
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Glass stovetops: wipe with vinegar or specialised glass cleaner
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Tiles and grout: use mild bleach or vinegar-based spray
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Wood cupboards: clean with a damp cloth, not heavy sprays
Mi Casa uses surface-safe products to protect your fittings during every AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast clean.
6. Clear the Rubbish and Check for Odours
Remove all:
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Kitchen bin rubbish
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Recycling
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Compost (if provided)
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Food scraps in the sink drain
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of bins or use a bin deodoriser to control odours between guests.
7. Check and Clean All Kitchen Utensils
Look through:
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Cutlery drawer
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Cooking utensils
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Chopping boards
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Cups and mugs
Check for:
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Greasy residue
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Food stains
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Melted or broken handles
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Hair or dust in drawer organisers
If anything feels sticky or stained, replace it or rewash it.
8. Keep the Kitchen Stocked and Styled
A clean kitchen is one thing—but a clean and organised one impresses more. Ensure:
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Tea, coffee, and sugar are sealed and neat
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Kettle and toaster are clean and working
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Chopping boards, knives, and pans are easily found
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Cups and plates are neatly stacked
Tidy, styled spaces feel more inviting and better maintained.
9. Plan a Monthly Deep Kitchen Clean
Every 4–6 weeks, schedule:
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Oven deep clean
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Exhaust fan and rangehood filter clean
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Fridge seal wipe-down
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Inside cupboards and pantry clean
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Dishwasher filter clean (if applicable)
This prevents grease, grime, and odours from building up.
10. Use a Cleaning Team That Understands Airbnb Kitchens
Professional cleaners save you time and ensure no tasks are missed. At Mi Casa Cleaning Solutions, our cleaners are trained to focus on what guests notice first—and clean every detail of your Airbnb kitchen properly.
Our AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast service is structured, checklist-based, and built for guest satisfaction.
Conclusion
Your Airbnb kitchen can make or break a guest’s impression—even if they don’t cook. Keeping it clean, fresh, and well-presented builds trust and leads to better reviews.
Let Mi Casa Cleaning Solutions help you stay on top of the details. Our AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast service includes full kitchen attention in every clean—so your property stays spotless, hygienic, and guest-ready.
FAQ
The kitchen should be cleaned after every booking. That includes wiping benches, cleaning the fridge, emptying bins, and sanitising all used surfaces. Deep cleans (like oven and rangehood) should happen monthly or after long stays.
Use food-safe multipurpose spray, degreaser for appliances, microfibre cloths, and lemon or eucalyptus oils to remove odours. Avoid strong bleach or overpowering scents that guests may dislike.
Not always. If the oven was used heavily, it’s a good idea to clean it. Otherwise, check and spot-clean between guests, and do a full clean monthly or after long-term bookings.
Smells, crumbs in drawers, a clean fridge, organised cutlery, and whether the sink is sparkling or not. Even if they don’t cook, guests want to know the space is hygienic and well-maintained.
It’s up to you, but if you do, make sure they’re sealed, not expired, and neatly arranged. Open or sticky items can feel unclean. Many hosts choose to leave only tea, coffee, and sugar in sealed containers.
Clean the fridge and bin regularly, wipe down appliances, pour boiling water down the drain, and ventilate the space. Use lemon oil or baking soda to deodorise soft surfaces like mats or curtains.
No. Always check. Even if it “looks” clean, there may be crumbs, grease, or smells left behind. Guests often notice things hosts overlook. Consistency is key.
Basic supplies like dishwashing liquid, a clean sponge, a drying towel, a few clean utensils, cups, bowls, and microwave-safe plates. Keep it minimal, clean, and practical.
Yes. Our [AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast](https://micasacleaning.com.au/airbnb-cleaning-gold-coast) service includes a full kitchen reset—fridge check, bench wipe, bin clean, sink polish, and optional deep cleaning of appliances as required.
They may request a refund or leave a negative review. To avoid this, ensure kitchens are checked and cleaned thoroughly between every stay—or outsource to a team that does it professionally.