As an Airbnb host, you’ve likely considered the do-it-yourself approach to cleaning your property. After all, why pay someone else when you could pocket that money yourself? At Cleanbnb, we’ve heard this reasoning countless times—right before hosts call us desperately needing help. Let’s break down the real costs of DIY cleaning and why professional services might actually save you money in the long run.
The Hidden Time Investment
The most obvious cost of DIY cleaning is time. But many hosts underestimate just how much time a proper turnover requires:
- Deep cleaning a one-bedroom apartment: 3-4 hours
- Changing and laundering linens: 1-2 hours
- Restocking supplies and amenities: 30 minutes
- Quality checks: 30 minutes
- Travel to and from the property: Variable
That’s potentially 6+ hours per turnover. If you’re hosting frequently, this quickly becomes a part-time job. How much is your time worth? If you earn $40/hour in your regular profession, each DIY cleaning “costs” you $240 in lost opportunity.
The Equipment and Supply Expense
Professional cleaning requires professional tools. The upfront investment includes:
- Commercial-grade vacuum: $200-500
- Steam cleaner: $150-300
- Specialized cleaning agents: $100-200 initially, plus regular replenishment
- Microfiber cloths, mops, and other tools: $100-200
- Laundry equipment or service costs: Variable
- Guest supplies (toilet paper, soaps, etc.): Recurring expense
Most hosts don’t factor these expenses into their calculations when deciding whether to clean themselves.
The Knowledge Gap
Professional cleaners don’t just work harder—they work smarter. Years of experience have taught them:
- Which surfaces need which cleaning products
- How to efficiently remove different types of stains
- The fastest cleaning sequence to avoid backtracking
- Where guests typically look for cleanliness issues
- Preventative measures to protect your property
This expertise is difficult to replicate without significant experience in the hospitality industry.
The Consistency Challenge
Even the most meticulous host has bad days. Maybe you’re rushing because of a same-day turnover. Perhaps you’re feeling under the weather. You might be distracted by other life events. These human factors affect cleaning quality.
Professional services deploy teams with redundant checks and balances. They follow systematic checklists tailored to your property. This consistency translates directly to guest satisfaction.
The Real-World Impact on Your Business
Consider these statistics from our host partners:
- Properties with professional cleaning receive cleanliness scores averaging 0.7 points higher than self-cleaned properties
- Professional cleaning reduces negative cleanliness mentions in reviews by 92%
- Hosts who switch from DIY to professional cleaning save an average of 25 hours per month
- 64% of hosts report being able to charge higher nightly rates after improving cleanliness standards
When DIY Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
DIY cleaning might make financial sense if:
- You host very infrequently (1-2 times monthly)
- You live on-property or very nearby
- You genuinely enjoy cleaning and have professional-level skills
- Your time has limited alternative economic value
Professional cleaning becomes the clear choice when:
- You host frequently
- You manage multiple properties
- You live far from your rental
- Your time is valuable for other pursuits
- You want to maximize ratings and revenue
The Cleanbnb Difference
At Cleanbnb, we understand the economics of short-term rentals. Our services are designed specifically to maximize your ROI through:
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Flexible scheduling that works with your booking calendar
- Supply management options to reduce your workload
- Detailed reports with before/after photos
- Emergency cleaning for unexpected situations
Making the Switch
Transitioning from DIY to professional cleaning doesn’t have to happen overnight. Many of our clients started with:
- Professional deep cleaning quarterly while handling regular turnovers themselves
- Using professional services for complex turnovers while handling simpler ones
- Gradually increasing professional cleanings as bookings increased
We’re happy to develop a custom approach that makes financial and practical sense for your unique situation.
Ready to reclaim your time while improving your property’s performance? Contact Cleanbnb today for a property assessment and custom quote.