26 Aug Why You Should Use An Airbnb Cleaning Service

An Airbnb cleaning service is an essential factor in scaling your Airbnb business. The cleanliness of your property can make or break your success on Airbnb. When you’re just getting started many new hosts will manage cleaning themselves.

But as you grow your Airbnb business, cleaning can become a time consuming and boring task. So how and when do you decide to use an Airbnb cleaning service, and what does it involve? Read on to have all your cleaning questions answered.

Deciding To DIY or Hire A Cleaner

You might be wondering whether you really need a cleaning service for your Airbnb. If you are a part-time or occasional host, you might not need one. You can probably cope with a little extra cleaning by yourself. The same can be said if you are just renting a spare room in your house. If you clean the rest of your house, then you can probably accommodate an extra room without adding too much hassle. If you decide to clean yourself, you should ensure it is to a high standard. Most guests expect accommodation to be at least as clean, if not cleaner, than their own houses.

If you have a property with a high turnover you may not have the time or energy to dedicate to cleaning. Remember that cleaning is one of the biggest factors in Airbnb rankings. It’s essential you don’t do a poor or rushed job and live to regret the bad reviews.

When you have guests turning over on the same day, the window for cleaning can be small. In these cases, you may not be able to fit the cleaning into your schedule.

It is highly recommended to use a professional service if you want to scale your Airbnb business. If you manage multiple properties, the time and effort spent on cleaning could be better spent elsewhere. Put those hours into managing your marketing and growing your business. Leave the cleaning to a professional.

Are Airbnb Guests Supposed To Clean?

This is a fair question: “Do you really need to clean, or should guests clean up after themselves?” Airbnb guests should leave a property tidy and close to how they found it. However, Airbnb has not set up a standard of cleaning for guests. Many guests will treat an Airbnb as a hotel. That means they expect to relax and have the cleaning done for them, especially if there is a cleaning fee.

While guests should leave things tidy, they are not expected to prep a room for the next guest. That means they are unlikely to strip linens or remake beds. You can leave guests a review as well if they are untidy. But relying on guests to meet your cleaning standards consistently is a risk serious hosts aren’t willing to take.

What is the Airbnb Cleaning Fee?

A cleaning fee is a one-time fee charged by hosts to cover the cost of cleaning their Airbnb after use. Not all hosts charge this fee. Some incorporate it into their nightly rate. The cleaning fee is part of the reservation total and is not returned to guests at the end of the reservation.

You should keep your cleaning fee reasonable. It should cover your cleaner or cleaning service fees. Don’t try to make a profit on your cleaning fee, and consider it a necessary part of doing business. For luxury rentals, the cleaning fee could be absorbed into a higher nightly rate.

How Does An Airbnb Cleaning Service Differ From A Regular Cleaner?

Some cleaning companies specialize in holiday rentals. These businesses offer extra services beyond a typical cleaner. Besides standard cleaning, a specialized service can manage your entire guest turnover. That means you won’t need to check the property yourself.

Regular cleaning services and a professional Airbnb cleaning company can offer the following services:

• Clean linens and change the beds

• Clean and put away the dishes

• Sweep and mop floors

• Vacuum carpets and rugs

• Cleaning toilets, bathtubs, and showers

• Take out the trash

• Wipe countertops, door handles, and light switches

A professional Airbnb cleaning company can also:

• Check for damages and photograph if necessary

• Report low inventory (toilet paper, soap, detergent, etc.)

• Check all lights and appliances are in working order

• Check for key return

• Check for bedbugs

• Deep clean on a semi-regular basis

• Work around an irregular schedule

There are many benefits to utilizing a professional Airbnb cleaning service. You may ask if it’s worth it when they may seem more expensive than some independent cleaners. If you have one regular cleaner, then that person will know your property well and spot any damage. However, one dedicated cleaner may not be able to accommodate a changing schedule.

Why You Should Use A Specialist Airbnb Cleaning Service

• A specialist service can work around an irregular schedule
• They may negotiate a lower rate for more frequent work
• Professional services will come with their own insurance. This protects you if anything accidentally gets broken.

You can find local cleaning services in most urban or touristy areas that specialize in Airbnb cleaning. Alternatively, use software to automate the cleaning process.

Using Software To Manage Your Airbnb Cleaners

Don’t waste time managing the schedule of an individual cleaner. Free up your valuable time by automating your cleaning with an online platform such as Turnover Airbnb. Turnover Airbnb allows you to schedule all your upcoming turnover cleanings. You can use it to send messages and share notes, re-schedule cleanings, and submit payments. Turnover Airbnb is an affordable add-on service. It works with local cleaners in your area, so you’re still supporting other small local businesses.

Properly is another great option for hosts who want to keep an eye on the cleaning process – but keep their hands clean. Properly is a changeover management tool for your vacation rental. It lets you make interactive visual checklists and schedule your service providers. Properly will also connect to your listing platforms and organize other changeover services. Properly gives you the flexibility of using different cleaners. But it also helps maintain a clear standard and specific instructions.

There are several other automated Airbnb management services or platforms available. These can manage cleaning, alongside other features. You can read about that in our full guide to Airbnb Property Management.

Getting Started With A Cleaning Service

Using a cleaning service can be a daunting prospect. You are putting your business is in the hands of strangers. A cleaner’s reliability and quality of work are essential if you want to keep reviews high. You may wish to trial a few companies or individuals until you find a fit you feel most comfortable with. Our final tip is to provide specific instructions on the standards you want to be met. Give your cleaner or cleaning service constructive feedback to get the results you desire.

Once you outsource the cleaning of your property or properties you are unlikely to go back. Enjoy the extra free time and spend it investing in growing your Airbnb Arbitrage! You can click here to learn more about how you can leverage other people’s properties to build a 6-figure business on Airbnb.