Managing Airbnb cleaners: Complete guide for hosts

What are Airbnb cleaners?

Airbnb cleaners are service providers hired by hosts to prepare and maintain an Airbnb property, to ensure cleanliness, comfort and guest satisfaction. The job goes beyond basic cleaning and tidying, extending to more detailed turnover, restocking and organising tasks. In return for their services, Airbnb cleaners typically charge a flat fee.

Professional Airbnb cleaners play a crucial role in maintaining the reputation of a short-term rental. Unlike regular home cleaners, they follow a turnover checklist that is tailored to each property, and which might include changing linens, wiping down high-touch surfaces, refilling toiletries, checking for damage and reporting maintenance issues.

Quality Airbnb cleaning services also have the ability to handle last-minute turnovers, manage stock inventory levels and stage the property to meet the standards of multi-property operations.

In this guide we’ll break down the role of these cleaners from the point of view of a host, to understand how to find Airbnb cleaners, how much Airbnb cleaners charge, and how to manage these providers successfully.

Why is it so hard to find reliable Airbnb cleaners? 

Finding reliable Airbnb cleaners is difficult because the job demands speed, flexibility and attention to detail: qualities that can be difficult to find in a single person or team. The best cleaners get snapped up quickly, while the less qualified cleaners that remain can seem unprepared or unreliable in comparison.

Unlike traditional cleaning jobs, Airbnb cleaning involves tight turnaround times – sometimes a window of just a few hours – so the pressure is high, and the result can be rushed or incomplete cleans. Airbnb cleaners must also adapt to changing schedules, where one new booking has the potential to change a whole day’s work.

Airbnb guests also have high expectations, and cleanliness ratings can directly affect your ability to secure bookings. A single mistake from your cleaner, such as a hair in the shower, a crumb on the floor, can lead to poor reviews.

Key takeaways:

• Cleaners must work quickly and often on short notice, creating time pressure.
• Guests expect hotel-level cleanliness and mistakes hurt ratings.
• Reliable, flexible, detail-oriented and consistent cleaners are rare.

How much do Airbnb cleaners charge?

Airbnb cleaning rates vary significantly based on location, property size and scope of work. In the US, the average rate for a two-bedroom property generally sits between $80-$200. This price can be even higher in particularly remote or touristy areas, or for same-day turnovers.

There’s no single, simple price guide for Airbnb cleaning fees. The cost of a clean can vary dramatically based on the living costs in your area, the popularity of your destination, the size and complexity of the property, and the availability of local cleaners.

Other variables that influence Airbnb cleaning rates include:

• How urgently or precisely a clean is scheduled (tight cleaning windows and same-day turnovers can cost more).
• The frequency of cleans (some cleaners offer bulk discounts).
• Additional services (e.g. laundry, deep cleans, restocking supplies).

Once you gain a clearer idea of your Airbnb cleaner cost per stay, you can either pass some or all of these costs to guests via the Airbnb cleaning fee, or absorb it into your nightly rates.

Key takeaways:

• Typical range: $80–$200 per clean for a two-bedroom US property.
• Fees can be higher for large homes, remote locations or urgent cleans.
• You can pass the cleaning fee onto guests or bundle it into your rate.

How can I find Airbnb cleaners for my small property?

Finding the best cleaners for your property is vital when you consider that:

• 97% of guests associate cleanliness with booking decisions.
• 81% of guests consider cleanliness the most important factor in their stay.
• Outsourcing your cleaning can boost occupancy by facilitating same-day turnovers.

The following steps can get you moving in the right direction.

Search online

Begin your search by Googling “Airbnb cleaners [YOUR LOCATION]” and contacting a few of the options that are served up. It can also be worth searching or placing an ad on online marketplaces.

Ask for referrals or recommendations

Ask other Airbnb hosts for their recommendations, or ask friends and family whether they know any residential cleaners who might be interested in getting into the Airbnb game.

Set expectations

Once you’ve found a potential cleaner, provide a detailed Airbnb cleaning checklist for them to follow, explain the level of supplies you’d like to leave for guests, and outline your expectations on the look of the space and the quality of the clean.

Schedule trial cleaning

Before you lock yourself into a contract, ask the cleaner to complete a paid trial to ensure they’re able to do the job you need them to do.

Key takeaways:

• Start your search online and explore local marketplaces or service listings.
• Ask for referrals from other hosts, friends or family.
• Clarify expectations and run a trial clean before committing to a long-term arrangement.

Ever since using Little Hotelier, the property has seen a significant 25% increase in direct bookings. You can see this smile on my face. I am super happy with it

Errol Best,

Owner

Best E Villas

Read more

How do I manage Airbnb cleaners effectively?

Clear communication, consistent processes and mutual accountability are key to effectively managing Airbnb cleaners. As the host, you need to provide detailed checklists, regularly review the cleaner’s work, and keep them up to date on required cleans, ideally with a dedicated scheduling tool.

Effective cleaner management begins with clarifying your expectations. A cleaning checklist helps to ensure nothing is missed and maintains the quality of the experience you offer your guests. You could even provide walkthrough videos or photo guides to show how each room should look post-clean.

Consistent communication is also a non-negotiable for both parties. Messaging apps or shared calendars can help coordinate tasks and avoid misunderstandings. You should treat your cleaners like the professional partners that they are, communicating respectfully, forgiving innocent mistakes and paying on time.

Key takeaways:

• Use checklists and video walkthroughs to set clear expectations.
• Communicate clearly and consistently using messaging and scheduling apps.
• Work to build a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship.

FAQs about Airbnb cleaners

What are Airbnb cleaners called?

Airbnb cleaners can also be referred to as turnover cleaners, short-term rental cleaners or vacation rental cleaners. They specialise in quick, high-quality cleans between guest stays.

Do Airbnb hosts clean themselves?

Many Airbnb hosts do their own cleaning, especially if they manage just one property, live nearby or are just starting out. Cleaning yourself saves money and gives you quality control, but outsourcing the cleaning saves time and helps you to avoid burnout.

How much should I pay someone to clean my Airbnb?

The average price to have a two-bedroom property cleaned in the US is $80–$200, but this figure can vary dramatically based on factors like property size, location, cleaner availability, urgency and added services.

Is it better to use the same cleaner or rotate between services?

It’s far better to use the same cleaner consistently, as they will become familiar with your property, preferences and expectations. Rotating between cleaners can lead to inconsistencies and tends to require more effort.