What Is An Airbnb Cleaning Fee?
An Airbnb cleaning fee is a great way to stop partying, discourage short-term stays, and help you pay for cleaning expenses. But how do you do that?
An Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time fee hosts charge their guests on top of the nightly rate. The cleaning fee covers the cost to clean the Airbnb listing for each guest.
In this article, we will answer what an Airbnb cleaning fee is, what it covers, how much you should charge, and more. Now, let’s get into it.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- What Is An Airbnb Cleaning Fee
- What Does An Airbnb Cleaning Fee Cover
- Average Cleaning Fee On Airbnb
- Is The Airbnb Cleaning Fee Refundable
- How To Add Airbnb Cleaning Fee On Website
- Adding Cleaning Fee On Airbnb App
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What Is An Airbnb Cleaning Fee?
An Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time fee hosts charge their guests on top of the nightly rate. The cleaning fee covers the cost to clean the Airbnb listing for each guest.
What Does An Airbnb Cleaning Fee Cover?
The Airbnb cleaning fee covers host expenses associated with cleaning and preparing their rental for guests.
The cleaning fee covers:
- Changing linens
- Time spent cleaning
- Purchasing cleaning supplies
- Dealing with cleaning-related issues
- Time spent hiring and managing a cleaning service
What Is The Average Airbnb Cleaning Fee?
The average Airbnb cleaning fee for a 900 sq ft or less listing is between $60-$80 per booking. This normally includes hosts who do their own cleaning.
The average Airbnb cleaning fee for a 900 sq ft listing or larger is between $100-$150 per booking. This normally includes hosts who hire a cleaning company.
I did research in my nearby area. I took the average of 20 * 900 sq ft listings over a weekend with 2 guests. This was typically an average of $60-80 per booking.
Is The Airbnb Cleaning Fee Refundable?
The Airbnb cleaning fee is refundable in the total amount if the guest cancels before check-in. If a guest cancels after the check-in then the cleaning fee is not refundable.
At the end of your Airbnb reservation, you do not get your cleaning fee back. The fee is included in the total price.
How To Add An Airbnb Cleaning Fee On The Website
On the Airbnb website, once you switch to hosting, under the menu and listing section you can add, change, or remove a cleaning fee for any of your listings.
Here are the 5 steps on how to change, set, add, or remove your cleaning fee.
1. Click On Menu And Scroll Down To Listing
Visit Airbnb.com, switch to hosting, and click on the menu at the top. A drop-down list will appear. Scroll down until you find the listing tab and click on it.
2. Select The Airbnb Listing You Want To Add Your Cleaning Fee To
Click on the listing to which you want to add a cleaning fee to.
3. Click On Pricing And Availability
On the left side, scroll down until you find Price and availability, and click on it.
4. Under Pricing And Availability, Click On Additional Charges
Under Pricing and Availability, on the left side, you will see Additional Charges, click on it.
5. Add, Change, or Remove Your Fee
Once you are in the Additional charges section, on the right side you will be able to add, change, or remove the fee.
Click edit on the right side. Set your Airbnb cleaning fee to whatever price you want and click on save at the bottom.
Airbnb also gives you the option to set an Airbnb cleaning fee for short stays. You will be able to lower the cleaning fee for guests booking 1 or 2 nights. You are all set! Enjoy hosting.
How To Add Cleaning Fee On Airbnb App
On the Airbnb app, under booking settings, you are able to add, remove, or change your Airbnb cleaning fee.
1. Click On Profile Picture And Switch To Hosting
On your Airbnb app, log in and click on your profile at the bottom right. Scroll down until you find the switch to hosting. Click on it.
2. Click On Menu And Choose Your Airbnb Listing
Click on the menu in the bottom right corner. At the top, choose the Airbnb listing you want to change, add, or remove the cleaning fee in the Airbnb app.
3. Choose The Booking Settings Section And Click On Addition Charges
Beside listing on the right, you will see Booking settings. Click on it.
Under the booking settings, scroll down until you see additional charges, and click on it.
4. Under Additional Charges, Click On Cleaning Fee
On the Airbnb app, under additional charges on the right side click on edit.
5. Add Edit, Or Remove Cleaning Fee On Airbnb App
Under cleaning fee, you can add, edit or remove an Airbnb cleaning fee. You can add a short-stay cleaning fee to attract guests that book 1-2 night stays.
At the bottom, click on the save button to add the cleaning fee changes to your Airbnb listing. You are all set!
FAQ -Frequently Asked Questions
- Do You Get Cleaning Fee Back Airbnb
- Are Cleaning Fees Negotiable On Airbnb
- Why Are The Fees So High
- How Much Do Cleaning Companies Charge
- How Do The Cleaning Fee Work
- Should You Charge The Cleaning Fee
Do You Get Cleaning Fee Back Airbnb
You get the cleaning fee back on Airbnb if you cancel before your check-in date. During or after your reservation, your cleaning fee will be charged in the full reservation total.
Are Cleaning Fees Negotiable On Airbnb?
Airbnb Cleaning Fees are negotiable. The amount is set by the host making the cleaning fee negotiable.
However, in order to negotiate, the host will have to send you a special booking offer. Only negotiate if the host is not booked or you are staying for longer.
Why Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees So High
Airbnb cleaning fees are much higher than hotels if you stay for 1-2 days. Mostly because of the additional fees included such as Airbnb cleaning fees.
For longer stays such as 5 days or more, Airbnb is almost always cheaper. Another reason Airbnb cleaning fees are so high is that the average size of an Airbnb is far bigger than a hotel room.
How Much Do Airbnb Cleaners Charge
The average Airbnb cleaning company charges $60 for every 500 sq ft, 1 bedroom, and 1 bathroom rental. On average it takes 1-2 hours to clean.
$100-$120 total for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom 1000 sq ft rental. Another option Airbnb cleaners offer is to charge extra to clean the bedroom linens, towels, etc.
How Do Airbnb Cleaning Fees Work
The Airbnb cleaning fee works when a guest books an Airbnb. The host has the option to charge a cleaning fee. The guest pays this fee on top of the nightly rate and it isn’t refunded at the end of the guest’s reservation.
Should I Charge An Airbnb Cleaning Fee
You should charge an Airbnb cleaning fee. If you just include the cleaning fee in your nightly rate then your listing price will appear much higher than your competitors and you may not get as many bookings.
Adding a cleaning fee is a great way to stop guests who book one night to party and prevent short stays. Preventing short-term stays means less time cleaning.
The only time you shouldn’t charge the fee is if you are new to hosting with little to no reviews. Don’t charge the fee until you gain a few reviews. This will help increase your listing exposure and bookings.
Alternatives To Charging An Airbnb Cleaning Fee
Not all Airbnb hosts want to charge a cleaning fee. You can lower or eliminate your cleaning fees by asking your guests to do a few cleaning tasks such as:
- Stripping the bedding
- Putting all towels and linens in a pile
- Cleaning the dishes or at least placing them in the dishwasher
- Taking out the trash
- Cleaning out the fridge
What we would suggest is to place some obvious signs near the front door and around the kitchen to remind your guests. You could even go as far as messaging your guests the day before checkout as a reminder.
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Final Thoughts
The best thing you can do as an Airbnb host is to specify what your cleaning expectations are in your listing description. State whether you provide cleaning while your guests are staying with you, what you expect from your guests before they check out (stripping the bedding etc), and what to do if they run out of cleaning products. The greater the details the easier hosting will be.