The Complete Motel Cleaning Checklist
A practical daily, weekly and monthly cleaning guide for New Zealand motels and accommodation providers
A clean motel creates a great first impression, encourages repeat bookings and positive online reviews, and helps provide a safe and comfortable stay for every guest. Consistent housekeeping also extends the life of furnishings and fittings while making room turnovers faster and more efficient.
This checklist is suitable for motels, motor lodges, roadside accommodation, serviced apartments, holiday units and boutique accommodation throughout New Zealand.
Daily Cleaning Checklist
Reception & Office
☐ Vacuum or mop entrance floors
☐ Clean entrance doors and glass
☐ Wipe reception desk and counters
☐ Sanitise EFTPOS terminals
☐ Clean reception seating
☐ Dust display shelves and brochure racks
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Restock hand sanitiser stations
☐ Remove fingerprints from glass and stainless steel
☐ Check entrance mats
Guest Rooms
☐ Strip used bed linen
☐ Make beds with fresh linen
☐ Vacuum carpets and rugs
☐ Mop hard floors
☐ Dust furniture
☐ Clean bedside tables
☐ Wipe desks and tables
☐ Clean wardrobes externally
☐ Clean mirrors
☐ Clean televisions and remote controls
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Check lights and appliances
☐ Restock tea, coffee and guest amenities
☐ Report maintenance issues
Guest Bathrooms
☐ Clean toilets
☐ Sanitise toilet seats
☐ Clean hand basins
☐ Polish taps
☐ Polish mirrors
☐ Clean showers
☐ Remove soap residue
☐ Clean shower screens
☐ Restock toilet paper
☐ Refill soap, shampoo and conditioner dispensers
☐ Replace towels and bath mats
☐ Mop floors
☐ Check ventilation
Kitchenettes (where fitted)
☐ Wipe benchtops
☐ Sanitise food preparation surfaces
☐ Clean sinks
☐ Clean microwave
☐ Wipe refrigerator inside and out
☐ Clean kettle and toaster
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Mop floors
☐ Restock tea, coffee and milk
Guest Laundry (where provided)
☐ Wipe washing machines
☐ Wipe dryers
☐ Clean folding benches
☐ Sweep and mop floors
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Restock laundry products where supplied
Outdoor Areas
☐ Sweep entrances and walkways
☐ Empty outdoor bins
☐ Remove litter
☐ Clean outdoor furniture
☐ Inspect BBQ areas
☐ Clean stairways and handrails
☐ Check car parking areas
Public Toilets (where applicable)
☐ Clean toilets
☐ Sanitise toilet seats
☐ Clean basins
☐ Clean taps
☐ Polish mirrors
☐ Refill soap dispensers
☐ Restock toilet paper
☐ Refill paper towels
☐ Empty sanitary bins
☐ Mop floors
Staff Areas
☐ Clean kitchen benches
☐ Clean sinks
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Vacuum or mop floors
☐ Restock paper towels
Throughout the Day
☐ Respond to guest housekeeping requests
☐ Clean spills immediately
☐ Empty bins before they overflow
☐ Patrol outdoor areas
☐ Clean high-touch surfaces
☐ Restock guest consumables
☐ Check guest laundry
☐ Record room inspections
Weekly Cleaning Tasks
☐ Machine scrub hard floors
☐ Shampoo carpets where required
☐ Wash internal windows
☐ Dust high surfaces
☐ Clean skirting boards
☐ Wash rubbish bins
☐ Remove marks from walls
☐ Deep clean guest bathrooms
☐ Clean BBQ facilities
☐ Wash outdoor furniture
☐ Inspect dispensers
☐ Clean ventilation grilles
Monthly Cleaning Tasks
☐ Deep clean carpets
☐ Pressure wash external walkways
☐ Machine scrub reception floors
☐ Deep clean shower screens
☐ Wash curtains or blinds where required
☐ Polish stainless steel fixtures
☐ Inspect flooring
☐ Review cleaning chemical stock
☐ Inspect cleaning equipment
☐ Service vacuum cleaners
☐ Service floor scrubbers
☐ Review housekeeping procedures
☐ Audit guest amenities
☐ Inspect emergency exits
☐ Clean ceilings and ventilation systems
High-Touch Surface Checklist
These surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day.
☐ Door handles
☐ Room door locks
☐ Key cards or keys
☐ Reception counter
☐ EFTPOS terminals
☐ Television remote controls
☐ Light switches
☐ Tap handles
☐ Flush buttons
☐ Refrigerator handles
☐ Kettle handles
☐ Microwave controls
☐ Stair handrails
☐ Outdoor gate latches
☐ Laundry machine controls
Motel Cleaning & Housekeeping Tips
✔ Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces between every guest stay.
✔ Inspect every room for maintenance issues while completing housekeeping.
✔ Use colour-coded cleaning equipment to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
✔ Follow the manufacturer's recommended contact times when using disinfectants.
✔ Keep guest rooms fully stocked with amenities before check-in.
✔ Remove rubbish promptly to maintain a welcoming environment.
✔ Pay particular attention to external walkways and entrances, as these are often the first areas guests notice.
✔ Schedule deep cleaning during quieter occupancy periods.
✔ Keep guest laundries and BBQ facilities clean and ready for use.
✔ Maintain housekeeping inspection records to ensure consistent presentation.
Recommended Colour-Coding System
Red – Toilets and sanitary areas
Yellow – Guest bathrooms and wet areas
Blue – Guest rooms, reception, offices and public areas
Green – Kitchenettes, BBQ areas and food preparation areas
Separate cloths, mops and buckets should always be used for each colour-coded area to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Recommended Cleaning Equipment
- Microfibre cleaning cloths
- Colour-coded cleaning cloths
- Colour-coded flat mops
- Commercial vacuum cleaners
- Wet & dry vacuum cleaners
- Walk-behind floor scrubbers
- Neutral floor cleaner
- Food-safe sanitiser
- Food-grade degreaser
- Glass cleaner
- Washroom cleaner
- Multi purpose disinfectant
- Stainless steel cleaner
- Hand soap
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Bin liners
- Disposable gloves
- Wet floor signs
- Grill brushes
- Squeegees
- Scrubbing pads
- Extendable dusters
- Housekeeping trolleys