The Phoenix-Mesa metro area is one of Arizona’s hottest short-term rental (STR) markets, literally and figuratively. With more than 2,000 active Airbnb and Vrbo listings in Mesa alone, the region is popular with tourists, snowbirds, golfers, and families looking for affordable alternatives to hotels. Demand stays high thanks to year-round sunshine, spring training baseball, hiking trails, and proximity to events in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
But this high demand also means high competition. A search on Airbnb in Mesa shows hundreds of properties with 4.9 or 5-star ratings, each competing for visibility and bookings. In this environment, guests aren’t just choosing based on price or amenities. They’re choosing based on cleanliness and reviews. If your rental isn’t consistently spotless, you’re already losing.
Let’s explore why cleaning is the cornerstone of success in the Phoenix-Mesa rental market, what’s included in a standard cleaning, when it’s time for a deeper reset, and how your cleaning strategy directly affects your revenue.
Why Cleanliness is the Backbone of Your STR Reputation
1. Reviews Drive Bookings
On Airbnb and Vrbo, your average star rating can be the difference between showing up on page 1 or being buried in search results. And among all the review categories (location, check-in, accuracy, value, etc.) cleanliness is the one most likely to trigger an immediate negative response.
Even just one review complaining about dust, hair in the shower, or stale linens can tank your visibility. And it’s hard to recover once your average dips below 4.7 stars.
2. Cleanliness Sets Expectations from the Start
Your guest’s first impression sets the tone for their entire stay. If they walk in and the space smells clean and feels fresh, they’re more likely to overlook minor issues (like a slightly firm mattress or a dead light bulb). But if they walk in and spot grime, everything else becomes magnified. Cleanliness builds trust. Dirt does the opposite.
3. Consistency is Key to Repeat Guests
Mesa has a lot of returning tourists, like people who come back each spring for baseball or golf, families visiting ASU students, or remote workers escaping colder climates. If your space is clean and consistent every time, you’ll get repeat bookings. But if cleanliness dips even once, that guest won’t come back—and they’ll warn others in reviews.
What’s Included in a Standard Short-Term Rental Cleaning?
Turnover cleanings are the backbone of STR upkeep. These are scheduled between guests and focus on speed, consistency, and presentation. A high-quality turnover cleaning should include:
✦ Living Areas
- Vacuuming carpets, mopping floors
- Dusting furniture, electronics, baseboards
- Cleaning light switches, remote controls, doorknobs
- Tidying decor, fluffing pillows, wiping windows (if dirty)
✦ Kitchen
- Wipe and sanitize countertops
- Clean sink, faucet, stovetop, microwave, refrigerator (outside)
- Restock dish soap, paper towels, coffee supplies
- Empty trash and recycling
✦ Bathrooms
- Scrub toilet, tub, and sink
- Polish mirrors
- Replace towels and toiletries
- Mop floor and sanitize all surfaces
✦ Bedrooms
- Change all linens
- Dust all surfaces
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Inspect under beds and inside closets
✦ Final Touches
- Check for odors or leftover items
- Set thermostat appropriately
- Leave out welcome notes, snacks, or Wi-Fi info
- Ensure lights, blinds, and staging are set for arrival
This is the minimum to protect your reputation. But even with consistent turnover cleaning, deeper grime builds over time, and guests eventually notice.
When a Standard Clean Isn’t Enough: Scheduling Deep Cleans
A well-maintained rental still needs a deep cleaning every few months. Why? Because turnover cleaning is about speed and efficiency. It’s not designed to scrub grout lines, steam-clean carpets, or polish appliances. A deep cleaning resets your property and prevents buildup that will slowly erode guest satisfaction.
What’s Included in a Deep Clean?
- Shampooing carpets and area rugs
- Scrubbing tile, regrouting where necessary
- Pulling out appliances to clean behind and beneath
- Washing curtains and window tracks
- Deep-cleaning upholstery and deodorizing furniture
- Cleaning air vents and baseboards
- Wall washing and stain removal
When Should You Schedule One?
- Every 3–6 months, depending on how frequently your property is booked
- After a string of back-to-back stays, especially with groups or families
- When reviews mention odors, stains, or “worn” conditions
- Before peak seasons like spring training or the holidays
- After a long guest stay (30+ days) where more wear and tear accumulates
A deep clean might take 4–6 hours and cost more than a turnover clean, but it keeps your space looking fresh and protects your ratings down the line.
How Cleaning Affects Real Outcomes
Let’s break down what this looks like in the real world.
Before: A Host Struggling with Declining Reviews
John owns a 2-bedroom condo in Mesa near Sloan Park. It rents out 20–22 days each month and was doing great for the first year. But gradually, reviews started mentioning “not as clean as expected” and “grimy bathroom.” His cleaner was reliable but not thorough, and never suggested deep cleaning.
John’s average rating dropped from 4.9 to 4.6. Bookings slowed. He had to lower his price by $25 a night to stay competitive. That added up to over $500 in lost revenue each month.
After: A Clean Reset and Reputation Turnaround
John decided to hire a professional Airbnb cleaning service. They did a full deep clean—steam-cleaned the carpets, scrubbed grout, replaced old linens, and reset the kitchen. He also started using their turnover services with a detailed checklist that included restocking services.
Within two months, guests mentioned about how clean and fresh the condo felt. His rating climbed back to 4.9, his calendar filled up, and he was able to raise his nightly rate back to $200. Cleanliness alone restored his property’s reputation—and his income.
Regular Cleaning Is an Investment, Not a Cost
Many hosts see cleaning as an operational expense, so they try to make this expense as low as possible. But the top-performing hosts in Mesa see it differently:
- Cleanliness is your brand.
- It’s about your guest experience.
- It’s your biggest factor in review quality.
- And it’s the one thing guests always notice.
If you’re managing your own cleaning or using an inconsistent cleaner who’s not familiar with Airbnb standards, it’s time to upgrade. A professional short-term rental cleaning company offers:
- Experience with high-turnover scheduling
- Background-checked, trained cleaners
- Custom checklists for each property
- Flexible add-ons like restocking, inspections, and reporting
- Consistent, reliable results
Whether you’re renting a downtown Mesa studio or a 5-bedroom Scottsdale property, you need a team that understands what’s at stake.
Final Thoughts
In the Phoenix-Mesa short-term rental market, hosts don’t succeed by accident. They succeed by building systems that keep their properties guest-ready every day of the year.
Cleaning is at the core of that system. It’s what guests see first, and what they review as they leave. Consistent cleanliness often determines whether your income grows or stalls out.
If you’re ready to protect your property, reputation, and bottom line, start by prioritizing cleaning. Schedule a cleaning appointment with Maid Cleaning & More. Treat every turnover like it’s the most important one of the year, because to your next guest, it is.
