We’ve all had it happen – you find a perfect spot to stay, and it looks like its right in your budget. Then, when going to confirm your reservation – you see that astronomical cleaning fee. Okay, so in reality it usually ranges from $10-$50 per stay – which has the most impact on a solo traveler who might just need to stay one night.
Coming from an AirBnB SuperHost who has two shared spaces (each with a cleaning fee of $10), I can say that the biggest expense for this fee comes from the cost of doing the laundry for the beds. Since both of my listings are shared spaces where I also live, I keep most of the shared spaces clean on a regular basis. So, for me – I am willing to waive the cleaning fee for a one night stay if my guests are willing to bring their own sheets and bedding!
Since a lot of roadtrippers might already have their favorite bedding with them, this is an easy solution to save $5-10 per night if you are regularly in and out of AirBnBs.
The best way to go about this is to message the host and simply ask if they would be willing to refund some or all of the cleaning fee after your stay if you provide your own sheets and linens. It doesn’t take much extra effort, and you would be surprised that hosts are pretty flexible when it comes to this. It will also help your case if you have a lot of reviews that shows hosts you are already a trustworthy guest in the AirBnB community.
While this little trick is never a guarantee, it never hurts to give it a try!
FAQs
To add or change your cleaning fee, simply go to your Airbnb account in the app or desktop browser and follow these steps:
- Go to your Airbnb Calendar.
- Click the Pricing tab in the desktop or Settings in the app.
- Click Pricing.
- Under Additional charges, tap Fees.
- Click Cleaning fee.
- Click Edit, make your changes, and save.
Send a refund request
You can ask the Host to fix the issue, request a refund of the cleaning fee, or, for severe issues, you could request to cancel your reservation for a full refund of the remaining nights. Wait for a response: If your Host declines or doesn't respond, you can ask Airbnb to step in to help.
Can you avoid cleaning fees on Airbnb? ›
Are cleaning fees negotiable on Airbnb? Cleaning fees are automatically added when a guest makes a booking. However, it's not uncommon for guests to reach out to a host prior to booking, asking for special discounts or to request the removal of the cleaning fees.
Why is my Airbnb cleaning fee so high? ›
The cleaning costs for Airbnb hosts are often higher than those for hotels because they likely can't take advantage of economies of scale. For example, hotels have commercial-size laundry machines. Plus, listings are typically spread out geographically, so there's the inefficiency of traveling miles between properties.
What is a normal cleaning fee on Airbnb? ›
While the average cleaning fee on Airbnb is somewhere between $50 and $80, these numbers are tricky to rely upon because there is so much variety in the size and spectrum of short-term rentals.
How to avoid paying the Airbnb service fee? ›
It could be beneficial to encourage direct bookings if you already have a website for your rental property. You would be able to avoid paying the Airbnb service fee by doing this. You should be aware, though, that this also implies that you will not be using Airbnb's administrative or customer service.
How much should I pay someone to clean my Airbnb? ›
Average cleaning costs for Airbnbs
| Number of rooms | Estimated time to finish | Total amount |
|---|
| 1-2 (condo) | 1.5 hrs | $30 to $135 |
| 2 (home) | 2.5 hrs | $50 to $225 |
| 3-4 (home) | 4.5 hrs | $90 to $405 |
| 5 (home) | 5 hrs | $100 to $450 |
Jan 17, 2023
You can't reduce the overall service fee. However, you can reduce your cost as the host by introducing the split-fee option. You could also consider reviewing your cancellation policy, as hosts with stricter policies typically have higher service fees.
How to save on Airbnb fees? ›
If you're looking for an Airbnb discount, you can get one by:
- Booking an extended stay.
- Adding some days to your booking.
- Booking new-host listings.
- Taking advantage of early bird pricing.
- Purchasing discounted Airbnb gift cards.
- Using a rewards card to pay for your Airbnb.
- Booking an Airbnb through an airline portal.
Here are the expenses that your Airbnb cleaning fee should cover: The time spent cleaning (tidying the rooms, changing the bedsheets and towels, washing the dishes, etc) Replenishing cleaning supplies and toiletries. Occasional repairs/maintenance.
Cleaning fees: Always refunded if you cancel before check-in. Airbnb service fees: Service fees are refunded if you cancel during the free cancellation period for your reservation.
Do I need to wash dishes in Airbnb? ›
Cleanliness: Guests should not leave the listing in a state that requires excessive or deep cleaning (moldy dishes, soiled carpets, stains from pets, etc.). Cleaning fees set by Hosts are only meant to cover the cost of standard cleaning between reservations (laundry, vacuuming, etc.).
How to negotiate Airbnb cleaning fee? ›
The best way to go about this is to message the host and simply ask if they would be willing to refund some or all of the cleaning fee after your stay if you provide your own sheets and linens. It doesn't take much extra effort, and you would be surprised that hosts are pretty flexible when it comes to this.
How do I cancel my Airbnb cleaning fee? ›
These policy details also apply: The cleaning fee is always refunded if the reservation is canceled before check-in. If there is a complaint from either party, notice must be given to Airbnb within 24 hours of check-in.
Did Airbnb remove the cleaning fee? ›
The plan doesn't actually eliminate cleaning fees. Instead, it's meant to prevent users from seeing an unexpected price jump just before check-out — arguably the more frustrating issue. Skift Global Forum was held in New York City on September 26-28, 2023. Read coverage of the event at the link below.
How do I change the cleaning fee on my Airbnb listing? ›
Edit cleaning fees on desktop
- Click Calendar and select the listing you want to change.
- Click Pricing.
- Under Additional charges, click Fees.
- Click Cleaning fee and make your changes.
- Click Save.
A cleaning fee is a one-off charge for cleaning the space you stay in and is set by the Host. It's an extra amount on top of the nightly rate when you book a listing. This fee covers the extra expenses Hosts incur when getting their place ready for guests to arrive or after they leave.
