Airbnb Cleaning Fee: What You Need to Know

Woman calculating Airbnb cleaning service costs with a laptop and calculator.
Cleaning fees are part of your overall price strategy. Setting them too high deters bookings; too low and you eat costs. Learn how to calculate a fair fee based on property size, labor and supplies, and communicate it transparently to guests.

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Magic Helpers Insights

At Magic Helpers, we advise hosts to align fees with actual cleaning costs and market rates. We also recommend bundling deep-clean charges into nightly rates to avoid sticker shock. Our data from Austin properties helps hosts benchmark their fees.

Cleaning is always a challenge, especially if you own Airbnb rentals. As a host, maintaining your rental property is one of your most vital tasks. Cleanliness is at the top of every guest’s criteria. A well nurtured space can guarantee trust and a good reputation. Additionally, more people tend to take extra measures in light of the pandemic.

Airbnb cleaning fees require a bit of a dive. As with anything, they are best not measured or charged at random. Some of your guests are already aware of standard rates and other considerations in cleaning fees. On your end, knowing how to charge clients or customers properly can strengthen your credibility.

Of course, the charging system changes entirely if professional cleaning personnel are involved. Here are some pointers to consider when charging cleaning fees for your rental property.

How to Charge Airbnb Cleaning Fees

Cleaning fees are a part of the package for most rental property owners. Most guests know this, but you should probably expect a few who would still try to bargain the service fees. To avoid these situations as an Airbnb rental owner, make sure to have a reasonable base fee.

On average, most units start at $50. But depending on size and other factors, some can charge as much as $150. Medium sized units would fall somewhere in the middle, while bedroom units can go as low as $25. These figures are by no means strict standards to adhere to, but knowing conventions in the market is a good starting point.

Aside from looking at the usual market prices, it’s also good to research your neighborhood and competition. How much do nearby rental properties charge for cleaning? Try to find an estimate based on that and begin from there.

Things to Consider in Airbnb Cleaning Fees

You can go along with just the base price if you think that’s the wisest decision for your market. However, keep in mind that a well priced cleaning fee can holistically add to your Airbnb rates. This means you can make the most out of guests’ Airbnb costs while gaining reasonable profit.

To ensure that your Airbnb fees are justified, consider the following factors when charging your guests cleaning service fees.

 

Do you have any questions about how we can help you? Visit our FAQ section or contact us for consultation.

 

Unit Size

More often than not, this is the most weighted factor. Some hosts charge solely based on the size of the property. Naturally, the bigger the property, the higher the cleaning fee. A bigger space warrants more supplies and hours of work, especially if you hire a cleaning service company.

The number of rooms is another practical basis since it is an objective criterion. However, note that unit size isn’t always proportional to this factor. Some smaller units may have more rooms. Some bigger units may have fewer rooms. Consider both before finalizing your price.

Type of Property

When deciding on the cleaning fee, Airbnb qualities play a significant role. A rental property may be enormous but modest, and on the other hand, a unit may be small but on the more upscale side. Your branding is a good element to consider in this context.

For instance, a luxury vacation rental can charge high cleaning fees since they require more maintenance. Guests would consider this kind of pricing more reasonable.

Location

Are your rental properties located in high demand areas or a private neighborhood? Then guests would probably assume that it’s cleaner than most. Establishing your cleaning fee according to the unit’s location can help your guests gauge their budget.

Competition

Knowing the standards and conventions of your industry is a skill you need to stay on top of your business. Examine other properties in your area. If their rates for cleaning fees are relatively similar, consider having yours at the same price point.

Your Guest’s Budget

Your prices should rarely be questioned by your target market. Familiarize yourself with the kind of people who engage in your business. You don’t always have to meet their budgeting standards, but you can meet in the middle when needed.

This factor also ties in with your type of property, location, and competition. If you’ve priced your cleaning fee based on those three, chances are you’re already meeting your target market’s budget.

Fixed Amount vs. Varying Fees

When evaluating the average cleaning fees, Airbnb hosts can also take note of the length of guests’ stay.

For instance, a guest may be unwilling to pay $100 worth of cleaning fees for a short term rental. But for a guest staying for weeks in your rental property, that would already be a bargain. If this happens often, you might want to consider non fixed fees instead.

Requirement for Professional Cleaning

Some Airbnb rental owners do the cleaning themselves. However, this may not always be the best option. Doing a complete cleaning service requires energy, time, and money. If your unit is often booked and has a high turnover rate, looking after tidiness becomes an arduous task.

You can maximize your resources by hiring a professional cleaning service. Not only is it a wise investment, but it also shows your guests how serious you are about cleanliness.

woman talking over a phone for Airbnb cleaning

The Benefits of Hiring a Cleaning Service Company

Some hosts take it upon themselves to be in charge of cleaning. While that’s preferred in short rentals, there are more benefits in hiring cleaning personnel. This also helps justify your cleaning fees, should you decide to charge higher.

Deeper Cleaning

If you’re an owner of a vacation rental, you know that standard house cleaning is not enough. Deep cleaning is a requirement, especially as some guests are now more cautious of cleanliness for their health.

Professional cleaners go beyond the surface. A cleaning service company can clean the tiniest details of the entire house, making the space feel safer.

Saves Time and Energy

Cleaning on your own consumes resources. Hiring cleaning personnel means you don’t need to dedicate your time and energy to this task.

A Better Investment

A clean it yourself method seems less expensive at first, but supplies add up. When you hire cleaning service companies, supplies are included, so you don’t overspend on disposables.

A Great Long Term Plan

Cleaning isn’t an afterthought in rental properties. Hiring a team with deep cleaning experience ensures the responsibility is met, saving you time and reducing hassle.

Your guests will be more understanding of higher fees if you choose professional cleaning services to take care of their living space.

Trust Magic Helpers to Clean Your Airbnb Rentals

At Magic Helpers, we work thoroughly, efficiently, and courteously so your rental property is safe and spotless.

We offer top notch cleaning services with a reasonable Airbnb cleaning fee. If your Airbnb rental is in Austin, TX or Puerto Rico, reach out to us.

To get started, contact us today at (512) 705 0043 or book an appointment through our website.

 

Want to explore more options? Read more articles about Airbnb cleaning services and property management:

Austin STR Hosting & Cleaning FAQ

How much should Austin Airbnb hosts charge for cleaning fees?
On average, most units start at $70, but depending on size and other factors some charge as much as $350, with medium-sized units falling in the middle.

What factors affect Airbnb cleaning fees in Austin?
Consider unit size and number of rooms, type of property and branding, location and high-demand areas, competition rates from nearby rentals, guest budget expectations, and whether professional cleaning services are required for short-term rentals.

Should VRBO hosts use fixed or varying cleaning fees in Austin?
Consider varying fees based on length of stay, as guests may be unwilling to pay $100 for short-term rentals but find it a bargain for weeks-long stays in vacation rental properties.

Why should Austin Airbnb hosts hire professional cleaners?
Professional services provide deeper cleaning beyond surface spots, save time and energy, are better long-term investments than buying supplies in bulk, and make guests more understanding of higher cleaning fees in short-term rentals.

How do Austin STR cleaning costs compare to self-cleaning?
Self-cleaning seems less expensive initially but requires constantly buying paper towels, dish soap, trash bags, and toilet paper in bulk, while professional cleaning services include these supplies in their package for vacation rentals.

For Austin Short-Term Rental Hosts
If you’re evaluating professional cleaning support, we can confirm scope, availability, and pricing for your property.  See if we’re a fit  →

Daniel Grundei | Austin STR Cleaning Expert

Daniel Grundei is the owner of Magic Helpers, an Austin-based cleaning company specializing in short-term rental and Airbnb properties. Daniel leads operational strategy, service standards, and quality systems, working with business partner Kelly Porter and a local leadership team. His writing reflects hands-on oversight of short-term rental operations, service design, quality control, and guest-facing presentation across Central Texas.
Contact Info: daniel@themagichelpers.com | 512.705.0043

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