The Smart Host’s Guide to Airbnb Cleaning Fees (And How to Price Them Correctly)

Marifil Limpahan
5 days ago
4 min read

Cleaning Fees on Airbnb: Smart Pricing Tips Every Host Should Know

If you’re hosting on Airbnb, cleaning fees are one of the first pricing decisions you’ll need to make, and one of the most misunderstood. Charge too little and you cut into your profits. Charge too much and guests rethink booking your place. As Airbnb coaches and property managers, we see this mistake all the time.

The truth is simple:

Your cleaning fee isn’t just a line item, it’s part of your entire Airbnb pricing strategy. It shapes guest expectations, influences your reviews, and impacts your occupancy.

Let’s break down what Airbnb cleaning fees are, how much you should charge, what the fee should cover, and how to automate your cleaning process using tools like Guesty so you can save time and protect your margins.

What Exactly Is an Airbnb Cleaning Fee?

An Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time, non-refundable charge that covers the cost of preparing your property for the next guest. Some hosts fold cleaning costs into their nightly rate, while others prefer a separate fee. Both approaches work, the key is understanding how each affects your Airbnb strategy.

Some hosts even use cleaning fees strategically to increase income or discourage short stays. The important thing is that your fee aligns with your costs and the experience you promise.

Should You Charge a Cleaning Fee? Here’s How to Decide

Before you set a fee, consider how your pricing structure will influence guest perception and booking behavior. Airbnb now shows guests the total price (including cleaning fees) upfront, so transparency matters more than ever.

Here are the five biggest factors to consider:

1. What do your competitors charge?

Your competition sets the baseline. Search for similar rentals in your area and study their cleaning fees. If every comparable listing charges one, you should too. Staying competitive is a key part of Airbnb pricing and Airbnb SEO.

2. What type of rental are you offering?

Luxury listings can justify higher cleaning fees because guests expect premium service. Budget listings? Not so much. Think about the traveler you’re targeting and what will feel reasonable to them.

3. How big is your property?

Larger homes require more time, more linens, and more labor. A one-bedroom condo and a six-bedroom cabin are not in the same category, and their cleaning fees shouldn’t be either.

4. Do you want to discourage 1–2-night stays?

Because cleaning fees are charged per stay, not per night, they can make short stays feel expensive. Many hosts intentionally set higher cleaning fees to attract longer bookings and reduce turnovers.

5. Are you using professional cleaners?

If you hire professional cleaning teams, your fee needs to reflect that cost. Cleaners vary dramatically by region, and professional STR cleaners charge premium rates. Don’t absorb that cost yourself, price it into your fee.

What Should Your Airbnb Cleaning Fee Cover?

Your cleaning fee should cover:

The time required to clean, reset, and prep the property
Washing linens and towels
Restocking toiletry and cleaning supplies
Wear and tear or occasional light maintenance
Costs from your professional cleaning team

This fee isn’t just for “wiping counters” it’s for maintaining the overall guest experience that earns 5-star reviews.

How Much Should You Charge?

Most Airbnb cleaning fees fall between $50–$100, but the “right” number depends entirely on:

Your local market
Your property size
The level of service you promise
The expectations you want to set

Just remember:Higher cleaning fee = higher guest expectations.

If you charge $120, the property must feel spotless. If you charge $40, you can reasonably ask guests to strip beds or take out trash. Your cleaning fee shapes guest behavior, use that to your advantage.

How to Add Your Cleaning Fee on Airbnb

Updating your listing is simple:

Go to Your Listings
Select Pricing
Under Extra Charges, enter your cleaning fee

Airbnb will automatically apply this to all new bookings.

Are Cleaning Fees Taxable?

In most areas, yes.Because the cleaning fee is mandatory and part of the stay, it’s usually treated as taxable rental revenue. Optional fees (like paid laundry or dry cleaning) are typically not taxable. Always double-check your local regulations.

How to Automate Your Airbnb Cleaning Schedule

Cleaning is one of the most time-consuming parts of Airbnb management, but it doesn’t have to be.

With Guesty, you can automate:

Cleaner notifications after each new booking
Morning-of cleaning reminders
Same-day turnover alerts
Task assignments and completion tracking

This eliminates miscommunication, reduces missed cleanings, and keeps your turnovers smooth and consistent.

For finding cleaners, tools like TurnoverBnB and TIDY pair well with your Guesty workflow, giving you a reliable team you don’t have to manage manually.

Automation is a big part of Airbnb optimization, and it’s exactly what we help hosts master inside BNB Guardians.

Final Thoughts

Your cleaning fee is more than an add-on, it’s part of your Airbnb pricing strategy, guest experience, and overall profitability. When you set it correctly (and automate the workflow), you create a smoother operation and a higher-performing listing.