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The Complete Vacation Rental Turnover Cleaning Guide for Golden Isles Hosts

Everything St Simons Island, Jekyll Island & Sea Island property owners need to know

May 18, 2025 ยท 10 min read

Beautiful vacation rental property on St Simons Island in the Golden Isles Georgia

The Golden Isles โ€” including St Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick โ€” is one of Georgia's most popular vacation destinations. If you manage a short-term rental here, you know that cleanliness is the difference between a 5-star review and a refund request. This guide covers everything you need to know about turnover cleaning for your Golden Isles property.

Why Professional Turnover Cleaning Matters

Guests judge vacation rentals primarily on cleanliness. According to Airbnb data, cleanliness is the single most important factor in guest reviews. A single "dirty" review can drop your listing's visibility and cost you thousands in lost bookings.

The 5-Star Standard

  • โ€ข Properties with professional cleaning average 4.8+ stars on cleanliness
  • โ€ข Hosts who clean themselves average 4.3 stars โ€” below the Superhost threshold
  • โ€ข A 0.5 star drop in cleanliness rating can reduce bookings by 25โ€“35%
  • โ€ข Golden Isles guests pay premium rates and expect premium cleanliness

Complete Turnover Cleaning Checklist for Golden Isles Rentals

Here's what a thorough turnover cleaning should include for a coastal Georgia vacation rental:

All Bedrooms

Strip and remake beds with fresh linens
Dust all surfaces, nightstands, and lamps
Vacuum carpets and/or mop hard floors
Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
Empty trash and replace liners
Check under beds and in closets for left-behind items
Shake out sand from beach gear areas

Bathrooms

Scrub and sanitize toilet, shower, tub, and sink
Clean mirrors and glass
Replace all towels with fresh sets
Restock toilet paper, soap, and shampoo
Mop floors
Wipe down cabinets and counters
Check for mildew (common in coastal properties)

Kitchen

Wash all dishes and put away
Clean and sanitize all countertops
Wipe exterior of all appliances
Clean inside microwave
Empty refrigerator of guest food items
Empty trash and recycling
Sweep and mop floors
Restock dish soap, trash bags, and paper towels

Living Areas & Outdoor

Dust all surfaces and electronics
Vacuum/mop all floors
Wipe light switches and door handles
Clean sliding glass doors (salt air leaves residue)
Sweep porch, patio, and outdoor shower
Shake out or hose outdoor mats
Ensure outdoor furniture is clean and arranged

Turnover Cleaning Pricing for Golden Isles Properties

Studio / 1-2 BR

$150 โ€“ $200

St Simons condo, Jekyll cottage

3 Bedrooms

$200 โ€“ $275

Island house, Brunswick home

4+ Bedrooms

$275 โ€“ $350

Large beach house, Sea Island villa

Coastal-Specific Cleaning Tips for Golden Isles Properties

Check for and treat mildew regularly โ€” the coastal humidity makes it grow fast, especially in bathrooms and closets
Clean sliding glass doors and windows frequently โ€” salt air leaves a hazy film
Install outdoor showers and foot rinse stations to reduce sand tracked inside
Use dehumidifiers in closets during off-season to prevent musty odors
Keep extra supplies of mildew-resistant shower curtains and liners on hand
Schedule pest control between seasons โ€” coastal properties attract palmetto bugs and ants

Frequently Asked Questions About Vacation Rental Cleaning in the Golden Isles

How much does vacation rental turnover cleaning cost on St Simons Island?

Turnover cleaning on St Simons Island typically costs $150โ€“$350 per turnover. A 1-2 bedroom condo runs $150โ€“$200, a 3-bedroom home costs $200โ€“$275, and larger properties (4+ bedrooms) range from $275โ€“$350. Prices include linen changes, restocking basics, and a thorough guest-ready clean.

How fast can a turnover cleaning be completed between guests?

Most vacation rental turnovers in the Golden Isles can be completed in 2โ€“4 hours, depending on the property size and condition. Our teams are experienced with tight check-in/check-out windows and can handle same-day turnovers with advance notice.

What is included in a vacation rental turnover cleaning?

A standard turnover cleaning includes: stripping and remaking all beds with fresh linens, full bathroom sanitization, kitchen cleaning (dishes, counters, appliances), vacuuming and mopping all floors, dusting surfaces, emptying all trash, restocking toiletries and paper products, and a walkthrough inspection to ensure the property is guest-ready.

Do you provide cleaning for Airbnb and VRBO properties on Jekyll Island?

Yes, we provide turnover cleaning services for Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and all other short-term rental platforms across the entire Golden Isles area โ€” including Jekyll Island, St Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. We work with individual hosts and property management companies.

Can turnover cleaning help improve my Airbnb reviews?

Absolutely. Cleanliness is the #1 factor in Airbnb guest reviews. Properties with professional turnover cleaning consistently maintain 4.8+ star ratings. Our detailed checklist ensures nothing is missed, and we can send you photo confirmations after each clean so you know the property is guest-ready before check-in.

Need a Reliable Turnover Cleaning Service in the Golden Isles?

We work with Airbnb hosts, VRBO owners, and property managers across St Simons, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick.

Text Us: (412) 274-1466Chat on WhatsApp