Cleaning fees have become a hot topic among Airbnb guests. One of the most common complaints is that cleaning fees are too high, especially when compared to hotels that don’t charge them separately. But contrary to popular belief, most Airbnb hosts aren’t profiting from cleaning fees. In fact, for many hosts, cleaning fees are a pass-through expense, and some even lose money to ensure their properties meet high standards.
Why Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees So High?
1. True Costs Add Up
Unlike hotels, Airbnb properties are often larger and more complex to clean. Homes with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces require significantly more time and effort than a single hotel room. This naturally increases the cost of cleaning.
2. Quality Cleaners Are Expensive
Finding reliable, high-quality cleaners is one of the biggest challenges for Airbnb hosts. The best cleaners—those who are thorough, professional, and dependable—come at a premium. These cleaners deserve a fair wage for their hard work, especially when they’re often working on tight timelines between guest check-outs and check-ins.
3. Hotels Have Scale—Airbnb Hosts Don’t
Hotels benefit from economies of scale, with entire teams dedicated to cleaning dozens (if not hundreds) of rooms. These teams work efficiently, and the cost is spread across all guests. Hotels do charge for cleaning, but these costs are baked into the nightly rate, making them less noticeable. For Airbnb hosts managing a single property, there’s no such advantage, which means cleaning fees are more transparent.
Light Cleaning Requests: A Way to Lower Fees
To help reduce cleaning fees, some hosts ask guests to complete light cleaning tasks, such as:
- Starting a load of laundry.
- Taking out the trash.
- Loading or running the dishwasher.
These small efforts can reduce the time cleaners need to spend on the property, allowing hosts to pass along savings to guests in the form of lower cleaning fees.
While not all guests may appreciate these requests, they’re often a way for hosts to balance costs without compromising the quality of the stay. Transparency is key—guests should know about these expectations upfront, and hosts should ensure the tasks are reasonable and manageable.
Hosts Shouldn’t Profit from Cleaning Fees
Cleaning fees shouldn’t be a profit center for Airbnb hosts. Charging exorbitant cleaning fees can alienate guests and lead to negative reviews. Instead, cleaning fees should reflect the actual cost of maintaining a clean and welcoming space.
Here’s why:
- Fair Pricing Builds Trust: Guests appreciate transparency. Charging reasonable cleaning fees that match true costs fosters trust and encourages repeat bookings.
- It’s About Guest Experience: A well-cleaned property creates a positive first impression. Guests are willing to pay for quality when they understand the value.
For Hosts: Keep Cleaning Fees Fair
If you’re a host, resist the temptation to inflate cleaning fees. Instead:
- Set your fees to cover the true cost of cleaning without padding for profit.
- Invest in high-quality cleaners who ensure your property shines and earns great reviews.
- Consider including cleaning costs in your nightly rate to reduce sticker shock for guests.
For Guests: Understand What You’re Paying For
As a guest, remember that cleaning fees reflect the time, effort, and expertise required to prepare a property for your stay. By paying these fees, you’re supporting hardworking cleaners and ensuring you enjoy a clean, comfortable space.
Know Your Market
If you’re unsure how much to charge for cleaning fees, you can use Rabbu’s Market Data tool to see how much other hosts charge for cleaning in your area. This data can help you stay competitive while ensuring you’re covering your costs.
The Bottom Line
Airbnb cleaning fees are a reflection of the true cost of maintaining high standards in a competitive market. While hotels may bake cleaning fees into their rates, Airbnb hosts have to balance transparency, fairness, and guest satisfaction. For hosts, the goal should never be to profit from cleaning fees but to charge what’s necessary to cover costs. And for guests, understanding the value behind these fees can help set realistic expectations.
A well-cleaned property benefits everyone. Hosts can provide a welcoming space that earns rave reviews, and guests can enjoy a comfortable stay worth every penny.
