Who Gets the Airbnb Cleaning Fee?

The Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time charge that covers preparing the space before new guests arrive. Unlike the nightly rate you pay for each night, you only pay the cleaning fee once per booking—whether you stay one night or ten nights. But what does this fee cover, and why do some places charge more than others? Understanding this fee helps you better plan your travel budget and know what you’re paying for when booking your next stay.

Purpose of the Fee

The cleaning fee pays the person or team who prepares the property between guests. This includes:

• Vacuuming
• Disinfecting surfaces
• Washing sheets and towels
• Restocking toiletries
• Making sure everything is clean when you arrive

This thorough cleaning ensures that each guest has the same quality experience, with fresh linens and a spotless environment. The fee acknowledges the real work that goes into maintaining rental properties to a high standard that guests expect and deserve when they book an Airbnb.

What Affects the Cost?

Several things can change how much the cleaning fee is:

• Property Size: A small apartment costs less to clean than a big house with a pool
• Location: Cleaning services cost more in expensive cities
• Special Needs: Properties that allow pets or large groups might need more cleaning

These factors combine to determine what hosts need to charge to cover their actual cleaning expenses. A spacious vacation home with multiple bathrooms naturally requires more time and supplies to clean than a studio apartment. Similarly, properties in major cities often have higher cleaning fees simply because local service providers charge more in those areas.

It’s Not a “Hidden” Fee

While some guests see the cleaning fee as a surprise add-on, Airbnb clearly shows it during checkout, separate from the nightly rate. You can always ask the host if you’re unsure what it covers. Unlike truly hidden fees that pop up after booking, the cleaning fee is transparent and visible before you confirm your reservation. This transparency allows you to make informed decisions about the total cost of your stay without surprises later.

One Payment vs. Daily Charges

Unlike hotel fees that might be charged for daily housekeeping, you only pay the Airbnb cleaning fee once per stay. This makes longer stays more cost-effective since the fee is the same whether you stay for one night or a whole week. This single fee structure can offer significant savings for travelers planning extended visits compared to traditional accommodations, where housekeeping charges might accumulate daily. This is why many frequent travelers prefer vacation rentals for longer trips.

Who Sets the Cleaning Fee?

Airbnb doesn’t set these fees—each host decides their own amount based on:

• Property details: Size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Who does the cleaning: The host or professional cleaners
• Local costs: What cleaners charge in that area
• What nearby listings charge: Trying to stay competitive
• Special features: Properties with pools, hot tubs, or outdoor spaces need more work

Hosts try to balance keeping their properties clean while offering reasonable rates. Most hosts aren’t trying to profit from cleaning fees—they’re simply covering the real costs of preparing the space for your arrival. A clear, fair cleaning fee helps hosts and guests feel comfortable with the arrangement.

Who Actually Gets the Money?

The cleaning fee goes to:

• The host, if they clean the property themselves
• A property manager who handles the cleaning
• Professional cleaning services hired by the host
• Co-hosts or team members who help maintain the property

Essentially, your cleaning fee supports keeping the rental in great condition. Some hosts handle all the cleaning themselves, using the fee to cover supplies and compensate for their time. Others hire professional services, especially for larger properties that require a team approach. Either way, the fee directly supports the work needed to ensure you have a clean, comfortable place to stay.

How the Fee is Collected

When booking, guests see a breakdown that includes the nightly rate, taxes, Airbnb’s service fees, and the cleaning fee. Everything is paid upfront as part of your total reservation cost. Airbnb holds the payment until about 24 hours after check-in, then releases it to the host (minus Airbnb’s own service fees). If a reservation is canceled, how much is refunded depends on the timing and the host’s cancellation policy.

Best Practices

For Hosts:

• Be clear about what the fee covers
• Keep your fee competitive
• Use a cleaning checklist
• Ask for guest feedback

Successful hosts find the right balance in their cleaning fee—enough to cover costs without deterring bookings. Transparency about what the fee includes helps set proper expectations. Many hosts also provide a detailed cleaning checklist to ensure consistency between guests, leading to better reviews and more bookings.

For Guests:

• Check the total cost before booking
• Compare with other listings in the area
• Ask questions if something seems unclear
• Follow checkout guidelines

Smart travelers always review the full price breakdown before confirming a reservation. This helps avoid surprises and allows for better budget planning. If a cleaning fee seems unusually high, compare it with similar properties in the area to see what’s typical. Clear communication with the host can also prevent misunderstandings about what’s expected at checkout.

The Cleaning Fee Debate

Guest Concerns:

• High fees make short stays expensive
• Being asked to do chores despite paying a cleaning fee

Many guests feel frustrated when a high cleaning fee significantly increases the cost of a one-night stay. Others question why they’re asked to complete checkout tasks like taking out trash or starting laundry when they’ve already paid a cleaning fee. These concerns are valid and part of an ongoing conversation about vacation rental pricing.

Host Perspective:

• The fee covers real costs, not profit
• Professional cleaning leads to better reviews

Cleaning fees rarely generate profit from the host’s side—they simply cover the actual expenses of preparing for new guests. Many hosts emphasize that professional cleaning standards lead to better guest experiences and reviews, which are crucial for their business. The fee helps maintain these standards without raising nightly rates, which would affect all stays regardless of length.

Tips for Hosts Setting Fees

• Research what similar properties charge
• Create efficient cleaning processes
• Match your fee to your cleaning quality
• Adjust based on guest feedback

Finding the right cleaning fee is crucial for host success. Too high, and short-stay bookings may decline; too low, and hosts might lose money on each turnover. Smart hosts research their local market, looking at similar listings to ensure their fees are competitive. They also monitor guest feedback to make sure the cleaning quality matches what they charge.

When handled thoughtfully, the cleaning fee helps ensure each guest arrives at a fresh, welcoming space while being fair to everyone involved. It’s one of many details shaping the Airbnb experience, and understanding it helps hosts and guests have better stays.