The Complete Hostel Cleaning Checklist
A practical daily, weekly and monthly cleaning guide for New Zealand hostels, backpackers and shared accommodation
A clean hostel creates a welcoming atmosphere, protects the health of guests and staff, and encourages positive online reviews. With many guests sharing bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms, regular cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces is essential to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.
This checklist is suitable for backpacker hostels, youth hostels, shared accommodation, budget accommodation, lodges and communal living facilities throughout New Zealand.
Daily Cleaning Checklist
Reception & Entrance
☐ Sweep or vacuum entrance floors
☐ Mop hard floors
☐ Clean entrance doors and glass
☐ Wipe reception desk and counters
☐ Sanitise EFTPOS terminals
☐ Clean reception seating
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Restock hand sanitiser stations
☐ Remove fingerprints from glass and stainless steel
☐ Check entrance mats
Dormitories & Guest Bedrooms
☐ Vacuum carpets
☐ Mop hard floors
☐ Dust furniture
☐ Wipe bedside shelves
☐ Clean bunk bed frames
☐ Sanitise ladders and safety rails
☐ Clean lockers externally
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Replace linen where required
☐ Spot clean walls
☐ Inspect rooms for maintenance issues
Shared Bathrooms
☐ Clean toilets
☐ Sanitise toilet seats
☐ Clean urinals (where fitted)
☐ Clean hand basins
☐ Clean taps
☐ Polish mirrors
☐ Clean showers
☐ Remove soap residue
☐ Sanitise shower cubicles
☐ Refill soap dispensers
☐ Restock toilet paper
☐ Refill paper towel dispensers
☐ Empty sanitary bins
☐ Mop floors
☐ Check odours
Shared Kitchens
☐ Clean benchtops
☐ Sanitise food preparation surfaces
☐ Clean sinks
☐ Wipe cupboards externally
☐ Clean microwaves
☐ Wipe refrigerators externally
☐ Clean dining tables
☐ Empty rubbish and recycling bins
☐ Mop floors
☐ Restock paper towels
☐ Refill hand soap
Dining & Communal Areas
☐ Wipe tables
☐ Clean chairs
☐ Vacuum carpets
☐ Mop hard floors
☐ Dust furniture
☐ Clean television remotes
☐ Sanitise games and shared equipment
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Spot clean walls
Laundry
☐ Wipe washing machines
☐ Wipe dryers
☐ Clean folding benches
☐ Sweep and mop floors
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Clean sinks
Outdoor Areas
☐ Sweep entrances
☐ Empty outdoor bins
☐ Remove litter
☐ Clean outdoor seating
☐ Clean BBQ area (where provided)
☐ Check smoking areas
☐ Inspect pathways
Staff Areas
☐ Clean kitchen benches
☐ Clean sinks
☐ Empty rubbish bins
☐ Vacuum or mop floors
☐ Restock paper towels
Throughout the Day
☐ Patrol shared bathrooms regularly
☐ Clean spills immediately
☐ Remove rubbish before bins overflow
☐ Clean kitchen benches after heavy use
☐ Restock washroom consumables
☐ Maintain hand sanitiser stations
☐ Clean high-touch surfaces regularly
☐ Record completed 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 bathrooms
☐ Deep clean kitchens
☐ Clean lockers internally (when vacant)
☐ Wash outdoor furniture
☐ Inspect dispensers
☐ Clean ventilation grilles
Monthly Cleaning Tasks
☐ Deep clean carpets
☐ Pressure wash entrances and outdoor areas
☐ Machine scrub communal areas
☐ Deep clean shower cubicles
☐ Wash curtains and blinds
☐ Deep clean refrigerators
☐ Inspect flooring
☐ Review cleaning chemical stock
☐ Inspect cleaning equipment
☐ Service vacuum cleaners
☐ Service floor scrubbers
☐ Review cleaning procedures
☐ Audit consumable stock
☐ Inspect emergency exits
☐ Clean ceilings and ventilation systems
High-Touch Surface Checklist
These surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day.
☐ Door handles
☐ Reception counter
☐ EFTPOS terminals
☐ Locker handles
☐ Bunk bed ladders
☐ Bed rails
☐ Television remotes
☐ Refrigerator handles
☐ Microwave controls
☐ Kitchen cupboard handles
☐ Light switches
☐ Tap handles
☐ Flush buttons
☐ Handrails
☐ Washing machine controls
☐ Dryer controls
Hostel Cleaning & Hygiene Tips
✔ Shared kitchens and bathrooms should be inspected and cleaned several times throughout the day during busy periods.
✔ Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces regularly to help reduce the spread of illness.
✔ Encourage guests to clean up after themselves by providing clearly labelled cleaning supplies and rubbish bins.
✔ Use food-safe sanitisers on all food preparation surfaces.
✔ Follow the manufacturer's recommended contact time for disinfectants.
✔ Empty rubbish bins frequently to reduce odours and discourage pests.
✔ Use colour-coded cleaning equipment to minimise cross-contamination.
✔ Inspect dormitories daily for maintenance issues or damage.
✔ Keep communal areas clean, tidy and inviting to improve the guest experience.
✔ Maintain cleaning records to ensure consistency across all shared spaces.
Recommended Colour-Coding System
Red – Toilets and sanitary areas
Yellow – Showers, bathrooms and wet areas
Blue – Dormitories, reception, lounges and public areas
Green – Shared kitchens, dining areas and food preparation spaces
Separate cloths, mops, brushes 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