Holiday guests judge by the first five minutes. Fresh, tight linen and a dry, cool space set the tone. In Cairns, humidity and short turnarounds mean your linen system has to be simple, repeatable and mould-resistant.
Triple-sheeting that always looks crisp
- Layers: fitted sheet + flat sheet + doona/blanket + flat top sheet. No bulky quilt covers to fight with mid-turnover.
- Pillow setup: 2 per guest (or 4 for a queen), with one decorative cushion max. Keep it quick.
- Make style: hospital corners on flat sheets; fold top sheet over 10–15 cm for a tidy reveal.
Towel ratios & swaps
- Per guest: 1 bath + 1 hand towel; 1 face washer per person; 1 bath mat per bathroom.
- Beach towels: optional for coastal stays; store separate to avoid damp bathroom piles.
- Spare set: one sealed spare per bed for week-long bookings (labelled in owner box).
Mould-smart storage (tropics reality)
- Store clean linen in lidded tubs with silica or reusable dehumidifier bricks.
- Air cupboards on changeover day; keep a small gap from external walls.
- Rotate stock: oldest out first; never re-bag slightly damp items “to dry at the next clean.”
Turnover pacing that saves rework
- Start AC/fans on cool or dry mode while cleaning to drop humidity.
- Strip all beds first → start wash cycle (if in-house) → make beds with fresh packs while machines run.
- Bathrooms last so surfaces dry before your final walkthrough.
Cleaner-friendly restock list
- Per queen: 1 fitted, 2 flat, 4 pillowcases.
- Singles: 1 fitted, 1 flat, 2 pillowcases.
- Bathroom: bath/hand/face per guest + 1 bath mat.
- Consumables: 2x toilet rolls per bathroom, dish tabs, bin liners, laundry sachets.
Laundry: in-house vs off-site
- In-house: cheaper per cycle but needs time and humidity control. Run a quick dehumidify while machines go.
- Off-site: simpler for back-to-backs; price into your minimum stay logic.
Minimum stay settings (protect your margin)
Turnovers aren’t free. If a clean is $150 and your ADR on 1-nighters is $220, you’ll often net less than a 2–3 night stay at $180. Set 2-night minimums mid-week and 3+ on peak weekends where it makes sense. For gaps, lower minimums selectively rather than discounting across the board.
Quality bar: what “spotless” means
- Zero hair on sheets and bathroom surfaces (microfibre once over at the end).
- No damp smell; AC on 22–24°C or a dehumidify run before arrival.
- Streak-free glass, tidy cable runs, bins double-lined.
- Welcome touches: two spare coat hangers per guest, a small dish sponge sealed pack.
Quick turnover checklist
- ☐ Beds triple-sheeted; corners tight; spare set labelled
- ☐ Towel ratios met; beach towels separate (if provided)
- ☐ Cupboards aired; dehumidifier bricks refreshed
- ☐ AC/fans run; space dry and cool before lock-up
- ☐ Bathrooms last; mats down, mirror/glass streak-free
- ☐ Photos of each room uploaded to the job
Related reads
- Maintenance Between Stays: Fast Checks
- Cairns Airbnb Pricing Guide 2025
- Wet-Season Prep for Cairns Airbnbs
Want us to set your property’s exact linen packs and minimum stays? Book a free consult, or run your numbers in our earnings & turnover calculator.