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Why Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees So High? Unveiling The Reasons

If you’ve booked an Airbnb, you’ve probably noticed the often substantial cleaning fee added to your total cost. These fees can vary from a modest amount to a significant portion of the overall price, leaving many guests curious about why Airbnb hosts charge a cleaning fee.

Unlike hotels, Airbnbs are unique vacation rentals, each with its specific cleaning requirements. The property size and amenities can lead to higher cleaning fees for some listings.

Hosts are responsible for ensuring their properties are spotless for incoming guests, and they often charge cleaning fees to cover the costs associated with maintaining a high standard of cleanliness. These costs include hiring professional cleaners, purchasing cleaning supplies, and investing in additional sanitation measures.

While some guests may find these cleaning fees excessive, it’s important to remember that they are a necessary part of maintaining the quality and cleanliness of Airbnb properties, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for everyone.

Thorough Cleaning Requirements

Unlike hotels with standardized rooms and daily maid service, Airbnbs are unique vacation rentals, each with its layout, furnishings, and amenities. Consequently, cleaning requirements vary significantly based on the property’s size and complexity. For example, a cozy studio apartment will naturally require less time and effort to clean than a sprawling villa with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces.

Thorough Cleaning Requirements
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Additionally, Airbnb hosts are expected to maintain a level of cleanliness that often surpasses what guests might achieve in their homes. This high standard frequently requires professional cleaning services, which can be quite expensive.

Cleaning an Airbnb involves meticulous attention to detail in every room. In the kitchen, this might mean deep cleaning appliances and scrubbing countertops. In the bathrooms, it involves disinfecting and replacing towels and toiletries. Bedrooms require fresh linens and thorough cleaning of all surfaces. Living areas also need to be vacuumed, dusted, and tidied up.

In addition to these standard cleaning tasks, Airbnb hosts often go above and beyond to ensure their guests have a positive experience. This might involve providing extra amenities or taking extra care to ensure the property is well-stocked with essentials. All these additional services and amenities can contribute to the overall cost of cleaning an Airbnb, which is ultimately reflected in the cleaning fee charged to guests.

Professional Cleaning Services

Many Airbnb hosts opt for professional cleaning services to ensure their properties are spotless for incoming guests. These services often involve multiple cleaners, depending on the size and complexity of the property.

Professional Cleaning Services
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They come equipped with specialized cleaning supplies that are more effective than everyday household cleaners at tackling dirt, grime, and allergens. These can include powerful disinfectants, deep-cleaning solutions for surfaces like carpets and upholstery, and eco-friendly products that are safe for guests with allergies or sensitivities.

Professional cleaning services also employ thorough, deep cleaning procedures beyond what most guests would do. This may involve tasks like:

  • Steam cleaning carpets and upholstery to remove dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens.
  • Disinfecting high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and countertops to minimize the spread of germs.
  • Cleaning inside appliances like ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators ensures they are sanitary and function properly.
  • Laundering all linens with hot water and high-quality detergents to kill bacteria and ensure a fresh, inviting space for new guests.

The cost of these professional services naturally gets passed on to guests through the cleaning fee. However, it’s important to remember that these services provide significant value. They ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for guests while freeing up the host’s time and energy, allowing them to focus on other aspects of managing their rental property.

Supply and Equipment Costs

Cleaning an Airbnb property is not simply a matter of physical effort; it requires a significant investment in cleaning supplies and equipment. The costs associated with these essential tools can quickly accumulate, especially for larger properties or those with high guest turnover rates.

Consider the array of cleaning supplies needed for a thorough clean: disinfectants for sanitizing surfaces, detergents for laundry and dishes, specialized cleaners for carpets and upholstery, glass cleaners for windows and mirrors, and more. These products, while essential for maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, come at a price. Moreover, regularly replacing these supplies, particularly in high-traffic properties, can be a significant expense for hosts.

Beyond cleaning supplies, there are also the costs associated with equipment. Vacuum cleaners, brooms, mops, dusters, sponges, buckets, and other cleaning tools are all necessary investments. Larger properties may require more powerful or specialized equipment, such as carpet cleaners or pressure washers, further adding to the expenses.

The initial purchase of cleaning supplies and equipment is just the beginning. Ongoing costs are associated with maintaining and replacing these items as they wear out or become damaged. 

Time and Labor Intensity

Cleaning an entire property, especially between back-to-back bookings, is time-consuming. It’s far more than simply tidying up; it involves a comprehensive cleaning process that can take several hours, even for smaller properties.

Changing linens and towels is a significant task in itself. All bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, must be stripped, laundered, and replaced with fresh linens for each new guest. Similarly, towels for the bathroom and kitchen must be washed and replaced. This process can be particularly time-consuming for larger properties with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.

Sanitizing surfaces is another critical aspect of cleaning an Airbnb. This involves disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and countertops. Bathrooms and kitchens require extra attention, with thorough cleaning and disinfection of toilets, showers, sinks, appliances, and other surfaces.

Restocking amenities is also an essential part of the cleaning process. This includes replenishing toiletries like soap, shampoo, and conditioner, replacing used items like coffee, tea, or snacks, and ensuring enough clean towels and linens are available for the next guests.

Additionally, hosts must check for any damage or maintenance issues and address them promptly. This might involve fixing leaky faucets, replacing burnt-out light bulbs, or repairing any damage caused by previous guests.

All of these tasks require a significant investment of time and effort, whether they are performed by the host themselves or by a professional cleaning service. The labor involved in cleaning an Airbnb is a major contributing factor to the overall cleaning cost, which is ultimately passed on to guests through the cleaning fee.

Enhanced Cleaning Protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about heightened cleaning protocols in the hospitality industry, including Airbnbs. Hosts now invest in additional sanitization measures to ensure the health and safety of their guests. These measures may include:

  • Hospital-grade disinfectants that are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses are used.
  • Following meticulous disinfection procedures, paying particular attention to high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, remote controls, and bathroom fixtures.
  • Employing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks while cleaning.
  • Allowing for longer vacancy periods between bookings ensures thorough cleaning and sanitation can be completed effectively. This can impact guest turnover frequency and, therefore, influence the cleaning fee.

According to a recent study by AIRDNA, short-term rental cleaning costs have increased by an average of 20% since the pandemic began. This rise can be directly attributed to the implementation of these enhanced cleaning protocols.

Enhanced Cleaning Protocols
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While these measures add to the overall cleaning cost for hosts, they are essential for promoting guest confidence and safety in the post-pandemic travel landscape. Many guests, especially those traveling with families or immunocompromised individuals, are now more willing to pay a higher cleaning fee for the peace of mind of knowing their rental has been thoroughly sanitized.

Guest Turnover Frequency

The frequency with which guests come and go is a significant factor influencing cleaning fees. Properties with high guest turnover, such as those in popular tourist destinations or those catering to short stays, necessitate more frequent cleaning.

When a guest departs, the property must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the next arrival. This translates to increased labor costs for the host, as they must either dedicate more time to cleaning or hire professional cleaners more often.

High turnover rates can also lead to increased wear and tear on the property and its amenities. Linens and towels need to be laundered more frequently, appliances and fixtures experience more use, and there is a greater likelihood of accidental damage or spills. These factors contribute to higher maintenance and cleaning costs, often passed on to guests through cleaning fees.

Location and Property Size

The geographical location of an Airbnb also plays a role in determining cleaning fees. In areas with a high cost of living, cleaners may charge more for their services due to increased labor, supplies, and transportation expenses. Furthermore, local regulations and taxes can also affect cleaning costs.

The size of the property is another major determinant of cleaning fees. Larger properties naturally require more time and effort to clean than smaller ones. 

Factors such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the presence of outdoor spaces like patios or balconies, and any unique features of the property, like hot tubs or swimming pools, can all contribute to the overall cleaning cost.

Balancing Quality and Expectations

Both hosts and guests play a role in the ongoing conversation about cleaning fees. For hosts, the goal is to balance providing a high-quality cleaning service with keeping fees reasonable for guests.

They want their properties to shine but understand that excessive cleaning fees can deter potential bookings. This balancing act is an ongoing challenge for hosts in the competitive short-term rental market.

For guests, understanding the factors that contribute to cleaning fees can help set realistic expectations. Recognizing the effort and cost involved in maintaining a clean and welcoming space can foster a greater appreciation for the value provided by hosts.

Setting Airbnb Cleaning Fees

Airbnb hosts have the flexibility to set their cleaning fees. However, they need to consider various factors, including the size and type of their property, the local cost of cleaning services, and the expectations of their target guests. Striking a balance between covering costs and attracting bookings is key.

It’s also crucial for hosts to be transparent about their cleaning fees and to communicate clearly with guests about what the fee covers. This can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure parties are satisfied with the arrangement.

Airbnb itself guides hosts in setting cleaning fees. They suggest covering the costs of cleaning their property, including labor, supplies, and any additional expenses related to cleaning. They also encourage hosts to be upfront about their fees and to avoid surprising guests with hidden charges.

The Airbnb Cleaning Fee Debate

The issue of Airbnb cleaning fees has sparked debate among hosts and guests alike. Some guests argue that these fees can be excessive, especially for short stays, and should be included in the nightly rate. Others believe that cleaning fees are a necessary part of the Airbnb experience and help ensure a clean and comfortable stay.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has acknowledged the concerns about cleaning fees and stated that the company is working to improve transparency and provide guests with more information about what they’re paying for. He has also suggested that Airbnb may eventually introduce a standardized cleaning fee system to make pricing more consistent across the platform.

Conclusion

Although Airbnb cleaning fees may appear high, they play a vital role in maintaining the quality and cleanliness of Airbnb properties. By understanding the factors contributing to these fees, guests can make more informed booking decisions and appreciate the value of a professionally cleaned and well-maintained property. As the short-term rental industry evolves, it will be interesting to see how cleaning fees are addressed and whether any changes are made to enhance transparency and affordability for guests.

Picture of Michael F

Michael F

Owner, Elevated Cleaning Services

Michael started Elevated Cleaning Services to help fill a gap in the Florida cleaning market. With a focus on quality, and a passion for giving back to the community, Elevated Cleaning Services continues to serve hundreds of happy homeowners each month.

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Picture of Michael F.

Michael F.

Owner, Elevated Cleaning Services

Michael started Elevated Cleaning Services to help fill a gap in the Florida cleaning market. With a focus on quality, and a passion for giving back to the community, Elevated Cleaning Services continues to serve hundreds of happy homeowners each month.

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