Airbnb cleaning fees have become a hot topic among guests and hosts alike. While some guests express frustration with high cleaning fees, especially when comparing them to hotel stay, many don’t realize that these fees are not a profit source for most Airbnb hosts. In fact, for many hosts, cleaning fees are often a pass-through expense, and some even lose money to ensure their properties meet the highest standards.
Why Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees So High?
1. True Costs Add Up
Unlike hotels, Airbnb properties are typically larger, with more rooms and outdoor spaces that need thorough cleaning. Homes with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas require significantly more time and effort to clean than a single hotel room, which naturally drives up the cleaning costs.
2. Quality Cleaners Are Expensive
Hiring reliable, high-quality cleaners is one of the biggest challenges for Airbnb hosts. The best cleaners—those who are professional, thorough, and dependable—come at a premium price. Since these cleaners often work under tight timelines between guest check-outs and check-ins, they deserve fair compensation for their hard work.
3. Hotels Benefit from Scale, Airbnb Hosts Don’t
Hotels benefit from economies of scale, employing large cleaning teams that can clean dozens or even hundreds of rooms in a day. The costs for these cleaning teams are spread across many guests, making the cleaning fees less noticeable. For Airbnb hosts managing a single property, there’s no such advantage, making cleaning fees more visible and, often, higher.
How Can You Reduce Airbnb Cleaning Fees?
Some Airbnb hosts lower their cleaning fees by asking guests to perform light cleaning tasks, such as:
-
Starting a load of laundry
-
Taking out the trash
-
Loading or running the dishwasher
These small tasks can help reduce the time cleaners need to spend on the property, allowing hosts to pass on savings to guests. However, it's important that hosts communicate these expectations clearly upfront to avoid any misunderstandings.
Hosts Shouldn’t Profit from Cleaning Fees
Charging excessive cleaning fees can lead to negative guest reviews and a loss of future bookings. Cleaning fees should accurately reflect the real costs involved in maintaining a clean, comfortable property. Here’s why:
-
Fair Pricing Builds Trust: Guests appreciate transparency. When cleaning fees are reasonable and reflect actual costs, it fosters trust and leads to repeat bookings.
-
It’s About the Guest Experience: A well-cleaned property creates a positive first impression. Guests are willing to pay for quality when they understand the value behind the fees.
Tips for Hosts: Keep Cleaning Fees Fair and Transparent
If you're an Airbnb host, here are some tips to ensure your cleaning fees are fair and transparent:
-
Set Fees Based on Actual Costs: Avoid inflating cleaning fees to make a profit. The goal is to cover the true cost of cleaning without overcharging.
-
Invest in Quality Cleaners: Work with reliable, professional cleaners who can help maintain a pristine property and boost your reviews.
-
Include Cleaning Fees in Your Nightly Rate: To minimize sticker shock for guests, consider incorporating cleaning costs into your nightly rate.
For Guests: Understand the Value of Cleaning Fees
As an Airbnb guest, it’s important to recognize that cleaning fees are not arbitrary. They reflect the time, effort, and expertise needed to prepare a property for your stay. By paying these fees, you're supporting hardworking cleaners and helping ensure that you enjoy a clean, comfortable space.
Use Market Data to Set Competitive Cleaning Fees
Not sure how much to charge for cleaning fees? Use Rabbu’s Market Data tool to research how much other Airbnb hosts in your area are charging. This tool can help you stay competitive while ensuring you cover your cleaning costs.
The Bottom Line: Why Airbnb Cleaning Fees Matter
Airbnb cleaning fees are a reflection of the true costs involved in maintaining a property to high standards in a competitive short-term rental market. While hotels bundle cleaning fees into their nightly rates, Airbnb hosts must balance transparency with fairness, all while providing a great guest experience. For hosts, the goal should be to cover cleaning costs, not profit from them. And for guests, understanding the value behind these fees will help set realistic expectations.
Ultimately, a well-cleaned property benefits everyone: hosts get positive reviews and repeat bookings, and guests enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
