How Much Is the Average Airbnb Cleaning Fee in 2026?

Charging Airbnb Cleaning Fees the Smart Way

Setting the right Airbnb cleaning fee is one of the most overlooked, but most important pricing decisions short-term rental hosts make. Charge too little, and you’re covering costs out of pocket. Charge too much, and guests may skip over your listing entirely.

In this guide, we’ll break down the average cleaning fee on Airbnb, what it should cover, how to set it correctly, and how to avoid guest complaints while keeping your operations efficient and profitable.

What Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees?

An Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time charge added to a reservation to cover the cost of preparing the unit for the next guest. This typically includes professional cleaning, laundry, restocking essentials, and general turnover tasks.

While cleaning fees are optional, most professional hosts include them to:

• Maintain consistent quality

• Pay cleaners fairly

• Protect long-term profitability

If you charge a cleaning fee, it must be clearly disclosed in your listing to avoid guest confusion or negative reviews.

What Does an Airbnb Cleaning Fee Cover?

A properly calculated cleaning fee should account for more than just a quick tidy-up. Most Airbnb cleaning fees include:

• Professional cleaner labor

• Vacuuming, dusting, and mopping

• Bathroom and kitchen sanitization

• Laundry (sheets, towels, linens)

• Dishwashing or dishwasher resets

• Trash removal

• Restocking consumables (toilet paper, paper towels, soap)

• Cleaning supplies and wear-and-tear costs

Even if you clean the unit yourself, your time still has value, and your cleaning fee should reflect that.

What Is the Average Cleaning Fee on Airbnb?

There is no fixed standard, but based on market data and active listings, the average Airbnb cleaning fee typically ranges from $50 to $105 per stay.

Factors that affect the cleaning fee include:

• Size of the property

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Location and local labor costs

• Turnover complexity (pets, long stays, luxury finishes)

Important Pricing Insight

High cleaning fees can hurt short stays.

For example:

• A $75 cleaning fee spread across 5 nights feels reasonable

• That same fee on a 1-night stay may deter bookings

This is why many successful hosts:

• Pair cleaning fees with minimum night stays

• Adjust nightly rates instead of inflating cleaning fees

Always research what comparable listings in your market are charging.

What to Consider Before Setting Your Cleaning Fee

Before locking in your Airbnb cleaning fee, consider the following:

Property Size & Turnover Time

Larger homes take longer to clean and justify higher fees especially multi-bathroom properties.

Cleaner Rates

Get quotes from local cleaners. Many offer discounted pricing for recurring cleanings, especially if your calendar is full.

Supplies & Replacement Costs

Cleaning products, linens, and consumables all add up over time.

Guest Expectations

Luxury listings and high nightly rates come with higher cleanliness expectations—and guests usually understand higher cleaning fees.

How to Set a Cleaning Fee on Airbnb

To add or update your Airbnb cleaning fee:

1. Log into Airbnb

2. Go to Listings

3. Select your listing

4. Choose Pricing & availability

5. Click Fees → Cleaning fee

6. Enter the amount and add a brief description

7. Save changes

Be transparent about what the fee covers to reduce friction and complaints.

How to Set a Cleaning Fee on Vrbo

To add a cleaning fee on Vrbo:

1. Log into your Vrbo dashboard

2. Open Calendar

3. Navigate to Rates

4. Click the gear icon → Fees

5. Select Cleaning fee

6. Enter the amount and save

When Should You Refund a Cleaning Fee?

You should consider refunding a cleaning fee if:

• Guests arrive to a unit that is not clean

• There is visible damage or missing inventory

• A verified cleaning failure occurs

Additionally, depending on your cancellation policy, cleaning fees may be refunded for canceled reservations.

Using Guesty to automate cleaner scheduling and confirmations dramatically reduces the risk of missed or incomplete cleanings protecting both your reviews and revenue.

Final Thoughts

Airbnb cleaning fees are a necessary part of running a professional short-term rental, but they must be calculated thoughtfully.

To set the right cleaning fee:

• Know your actual costs

• Research local competitors

• Balance guest perception with profitability

• Be transparent in your listing

When you automate cleaning coordination, messaging, and calendar syncing with Guesty, you eliminate most of the issues that lead to refund requests or negative reviews.

Smart pricing + strong systems = smoother hosting and better margins.

👉 Need help with your STR?

 Join our Airbnb Super Host Academy on Skool or book a call with the BNB Guardians team for hands-on coaching