When booking an Airbnb, guests typically expect to pay a standard cleaning fee as part of their reservation costs. However, a common question from both hosts and guests is whether hosts can charge extra cleaning fees beyond the initial amount. At Cleanbnb, we’ve helped hundreds of hosts navigate this delicate situation, and we’re sharing our expertise on when and how additional cleaning charges may apply.
The Standard Cleaning Fee vs. Extra Cleaning Charges
Before diving into extra charges, it’s important to understand what the standard cleaning fee covers:
- Regular turnover cleaning between guests
- Laundering linens and towels
- Sanitizing bathrooms and kitchen
- Vacuuming and mopping floors
- Dusting surfaces
- Restocking basic supplies
This standard fee assumes guests have left the property in reasonable condition.
When Can Hosts Charge Extra for Cleaning?
Airbnb’s terms of service do allow hosts to request additional cleaning fees when guests leave a property requiring cleaning beyond what’s reasonable. Here are situations where extra cleaning charges may be justified:
Excessive Messes That Require Special Cleaning
At Cleanbnb, we’ve seen truly extraordinary cleaning situations that fall well outside normal cleaning expectations:
- Food splattered on walls or ceilings requiring additional time and specialized cleaning
- Cake baked into oven surfaces necessitating deep appliance cleaning
- Red wine or other staining substances on carpets, upholstery, or mattresses
- Excessive trash left throughout the property
- Cigarette smoke or other strong odors requiring ozone treatment
- Glitter, confetti, or other party debris embedded in furnishings
Additional Labor Hours Beyond Standard Cleaning
When our cleaning teams encounter these situations, what typically requires 3-4 hours may extend to 6-8+ hours of intensive labor. This additional time represents real costs that weren’t accounted for in the original cleaning fee.
How Hosts Can Properly Request Additional Cleaning Fees
If you’re a host facing excessive cleaning needs, follow these steps to properly request additional payments:
- Document thoroughly: Take clear photos of the condition before cleaning begins
- Itemize extra work required: Create a detailed list of cleaning tasks beyond standard turnover
- Request through Airbnb’s Resolution Center: Never ask for payment outside the platform
- Be reasonable with amounts: Charge only for actual additional time and resources required
- Provide receipts if applicable: For specialized services like carpet cleaning or odor removal
Preventing Disputes Over Extra Cleaning Charges
The best approach is prevention. Hosts can reduce the likelihood of excessive cleaning situations by:
- Setting clear expectations in house rules: Specifically mention that additional fees may apply for extraordinary cleaning needs
- Communicating professionally: Send friendly reminders about check-out procedures
- Being reasonable: Minor messes are part of hosting and shouldn’t trigger extra charges
The Cleanbnb Approach to Excessive Cleaning Situations
At Cleanbnb, we help hosts navigate these challenging situations by:
- Providing detailed documentation of extraordinary cleaning needs
- Offering fair and transparent pricing for additional time required
- Maintaining professionalism when discussing sensitive issues with hosts and Airbnb
- Separating standard cleaning from extraordinary circumstances in our billing
Guest Perspective: Understanding Your Responsibilities
For guests reading this article, standard cleaning fees cover normal use of a property. You’re not expected to deep clean before departure, but you are expected to:
- Leave the property in reasonably tidy condition
- Clean your own dishes or load the dishwasher
- Remove any excessive trash
- Report any accidental damage promptly
By meeting these basic expectations, you’ll avoid any potential for extra cleaning charges.
The Bottom Line on Extra Cleaning Fees
While Airbnb hosts can charge extra for cleaning in extraordinary circumstances, these charges should be:
- Reasonable and proportional to the additional work required
- Well-documented with photos and detailed descriptions
- Processed through Airbnb’s official Resolution Center
- Reserved for truly excessive situations, not minor issues
At Cleanbnb, we believe in fair practices for both hosts and guests. We work with our host partners to ensure cleaning fees remain reasonable while still covering the real costs of preparing properties for the next guest—even when those preparations require extraordinary efforts.
If you’re a Cincinnati-area host looking for cleaning partners who understand these nuances, contact Cleanbnb to learn how we can help protect your property while maintaining fair and transparent cleaning practices.