Quick answer: Choose an Airbnb cleaner on reliability, experience and clear systems rather than price alone. Cleanliness is one of seven categories guests rate, and Airbnb says a home should be free of health hazards, extensive dust and dirty dishes. Agree a written scope, ask about training, and keep a backup cleaner.
Updated 28 October 2026. Airbnb rules checked on the Airbnb Help pages listed at the end of this article the same day.
As an Airbnb host, you know that cleanliness is a cornerstone of your guest’s experience and is a direct factor in how well your property performs. However, many hosts overlook the complexity of working with cleaners. The wrong choice can have long-lasting effects on your property, your guest satisfaction, and ultimately, your profitability. In this blog, I’ll dive into the most important aspects to consider when choosing cleaners for your Airbnb, so you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure your property remains in top condition for each guest.
Key facts, checked 28 October 2026
Four dated facts show why your cleaner affects your reviews and visibility. Each comes from an Airbnb Help page checked on 28 October 2026.
- Guests rate homes in 7 categories: overall rating, cleanliness, accuracy, check-in, communication, location and value, and Airbnb says the overall rating is its own category, not an average of the others (Airbnb Help, Ratings for homes, checked 28 October 2026).
- Airbnb says a home should be free of health hazards like mould and pests, and free of extensive dust, pet dander and dirty dishes (Airbnb Help, Ratings for homes, checked 28 October 2026).
- Airbnb says higher quality listings with better ratings and reviews tend to rank higher in search (Airbnb Help, How search results work, checked 28 October 2026).
- Airbnb shows the average overall rating near the home's title in search results and on the listing once at least 3 guests have rated it (Airbnb Help, Ratings for homes, checked 28 October 2026).
1. Cleaners Aren’t Equal – Quality vs. Price
When it comes to hiring a cleaner for your Airbnb, price is usually a primary consideration for most hosts. But here’s something important to understand: price does not equate to quality. While it’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, this can often lead to poor cleaning standards and potentially more damage to your property in the long term. Similarly, opting for the highest-priced cleaners does not necessarily mean the best service. Many hosts fall into this trap, believing that a premium-priced cleaner will offer better results. However, the truth is more nuanced.
You’ll also want to consider the structure of the business you’re hiring. While independent cleaners and small cleaning companies often offer competitive rates, they may not have the infrastructure or quality control mechanisms in place. Some of these businesses cycle through cleaners, so ask who will actually clean your property and how they are trained and supervised. Ask for an ABN and insurance details too, because inconsistent staffing makes consistent standards harder.
Inconsistent staffing can also mean missed areas, so ask how the business checks its work. It’s also important to note that cleaners without formal training may not be familiar with specialised Airbnb needs such as handling high turnover, working quickly without sacrificing quality, or ensuring that every corner of your property is pristine.
When you hire a cleaner, you’re not just paying for a service; you’re investing in your guest’s experience and your property’s long-term success. A cleaner who is reliable, experienced, and trained will not only perform better but also help you maintain your property’s value, reduce wear and tear, and ensure your guests are happy. While price matters, it’s critical to weigh quality, experience, and dependability in equal measure. Compare quotes on what is included, not just the headline price.
2. The Greedy Cleaner Trap
It’s easy to fall into the trap of hiring a cleaner who initially offers a low price, only to see that price increase later on. The “greedy cleaner trap” describes a pattern hosts report, where a low starting price rises gradually once they’ve established a relationship with you. Some cleaners raise their prices after the first few cleans, claiming that they “under-quoted” your property initially and need to adjust the rate.
But here’s the reality: A cleaner who increases their price mid-contract may be testing the waters, so ask what has changed. While some price increases are inevitable due to inflation, rising costs, or changes in the industry, a cleaner who substantially raises their rate with no substantial improvements in service is a red flag. If they claim they’ll “provide more value” in return for the increase, that’s a huge warning sign because they should have been doing this from the start. Underquoting can be an attempt to win you over, but it can also be a sign that the cleaner is struggling with their business model and might not be sustainable in the long term.
It’s essential to weigh the cost of the service against the value you’re receiving. Good cleaners should already be providing the highest standard of service, and their fee should reflect that. If a cleaner raises their rates and promises more value, ask yourself: Why wasn’t this the case from the beginning? A trustworthy cleaner who values your business will find a way to deliver excellent service at a fair price, without constantly trying to increase their fees.
On the other hand, if you’re getting service at a low rate and the cleaner is reliable, experienced, and thorough, a small price hike might be acceptable. However, be careful not to fall into the trap of paying more without seeing real improvements in the service.
3. Qualifications Matter – Ask the Right Questions
Many hosts focus on qualifications when hiring cleaners, believing that a cleaner with formal training or certifications will be the best choice. While qualifications are a plus, they are not the sole determinant of whether a cleaner will be a good fit for your Airbnb property. In the cleaning industry, qualifications alone do not make a better cleaner. A cleaner may have certifications or training in the field, but it doesn’t automatically mean they understand the nuances of Airbnb-style turnovers, or that they have the experience needed to deliver exceptional service in the short-term rental space.
The key to hiring a good cleaner lies in experience. Even without specific certifications, a cleaner who has a solid track record of cleaning Airbnb properties and understands the unique demands of short-term rentals can still be highly effective. What’s more important than qualifications is whether the cleaner’s employer is willing to invest in training. A company that trains its employees not only demonstrates care for the worker but also a commitment to delivering a high standard of service to clients. Training also reflects a company’s attention to detail and dedication to providing professional cleaning services.
It’s also important to ask the right questions during the hiring process. For example:
- How long have you been cleaning short-term rental properties?
- Are you familiar with the specific cleaning standards required for Airbnb?
- What cleaning products and methods do you use?
- How do you ensure high-quality results every time?
The responses to these questions will give you insight into the cleaner’s capability and professionalism. If a cleaner has the right experience and is committed to improving their skills through training, that’s a great indicator that they will be a reliable partner for your Airbnb property.
4. Don’t Use Your Cleaners as Hosts
One common mistake that some hosts make is asking their cleaners to take on additional roles, such as managing the property or interacting with guests. This may seem convenient, but it’s a recipe for disaster. Cleaners should be focused solely on cleaning your property; that’s their expertise. You should not expect your cleaner to manage guest check-ins, respond to guest messages, or handle bookings. This is a distraction that reduces the quality of their work and can lead to poor service and potentially missed opportunities.
If your cleaner is also managing the property, they may become spread too thin, dividing their attention between cleaning duties and hosting responsibilities. This leads to a lack of focus on what’s most important: cleaning your property to the highest standard. When your cleaner is also hosting, they may skip important steps in the cleaning process in order to juggle multiple tasks.
Additionally, cleaners who try to host may overstep their boundaries, offering unsolicited advice about your property, rates, or policies. While it’s natural to want your cleaner to be part of your team, their role should remain strictly focused on cleaning. When cleaners get involved in the guest experience, there’s an increased risk of miscommunication or poor guest interaction, which could harm your reputation.
Remember, first impressions count more than you think—this article explains how guest perception impacts the success of your listing. A cleaner who’s overstepping into hosting duties can inadvertently create confusion or discomfort that reflects poorly on your property.
Instead, consider hiring a separate property manager who can handle guest communication and any issues that arise with the booking. By keeping these roles separate, you ensure that your cleaner can focus on delivering high-quality cleaning services while your property manager can manage guest expectations and interactions.
5. The Linen Dilemma – Buy It Yourself or Let the Cleaner Supply It?
One of the tricky decisions Airbnb hosts face is whether to supply their own linens or let the cleaner take care of it. There are pros and cons to both approaches, and it ultimately depends on your priorities, whether it’s saving time or maintaining a certain standard of quality.
Letting the cleaner supply linens may seem like an easier option, but it often comes with additional costs and limited control over quality. Cleaners who supply linens often charge a premium for this service, and you may find that the quality of the bedding or towels they provide doesn’t match your standards. In many cases, these linens are mass-produced, cheap, and may wear out quickly after several washes.
On the other hand, buying your own linens gives you full control over the quality and durability of the items you provide to your guests. You can invest in high-quality fabrics, which not only enhance the guest experience but also last longer and withstand frequent washing. However, purchasing linens does require more effort on your part, including storing, replacing, and maintaining the linens between stays.
In the long run, the control over quality you gain from buying your own linens is often worth the extra effort and cost. Your guests will appreciate the luxury of high-quality bedding and towels, which can directly impact the overall guest experience and reviews.
6. The Triple Sheeting Trap – Why Guests Notice
Triple sheeting is a quick way to make a bed look tidy without the effort of washing the bedding. While it may look neat, this practice is a shortcut that often leads to unhygienic conditions. Triple sheeting involves placing a sheet on the bed,
then folding a top sheet over the top, usually without the added layer of a duvet or comforter. This creates a false sense of cleanliness, and here’s the problem: when guests arrive, the sheets are often untucked, exposing a filthy layer of fabric that’s been used by previous guests. For those who overheat or are staying in warmer weather, this method only makes things worse as they may sweat directly onto the sheets. It’s simply not sanitary.
Additionally, untucking sheets during a stay is inevitable, and when guests pull off the top layer to get comfortable, they may discover that the sheets are not only untidy but also unhygienic. It’s a lazy way to manage turnover and guests will notice. In the end, opting for high-quality linens and proper laundering practices is a better solution for maintaining a pristine guest experience.
7. Why a Backup Cleaner or Check-Up Cleaner is Crucial
One of the best practices you can implement in your Airbnb business is having a backup cleaner or a second set of eyes to perform a quick check-up. It may seem like an unnecessary step, but it’s actually a game-changer for maintaining a consistent guest experience.
Here’s why a backup cleaner or a check-up cleaner is so valuable:
- Consistency and Quality Control: Even the most reliable cleaners can miss something from time to time. A secondary cleaner can do a quick inspection to catch anything that might have been overlooked, whether it’s a missed spot in the bathroom, an area that needs more attention, or something that needs fixing before the next guest arrives.
- Prevents Negative Reviews: Guests notice the smallest details, and an overlooked issue—like a dirty spot on the carpet or a lightbulb that’s out—can lead to unfavorable reviews. A backup cleaner ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.
- Peace of Mind: You won’t have to worry about last-minute surprises or stress before check-in. A check-up cleaner can inspect everything and give you confidence that your property is ready to impress the next guest.
- Minimize Turnover Issues: Having a second person available can help with unexpected situations, such as if your main cleaner is unavailable due to illness or another emergency. This backup gives you the flexibility to handle unforeseen issues without disrupting your operations.
By having a second cleaner or backup in place, you help keep your property up to standard and that you’re providing an exceptional experience for your guests every time.
By carefully choosing the right cleaning service, you ensure that your Airbnb property remains in great shape and continues to attract excellent reviews.
How do cleaners affect your Airbnb cleanliness rating?
Cleaning quality shows up in the cleanliness rating guests give after a stay. Airbnb says a clean home is free of health hazards, extensive dust and dirty dishes, and that higher quality listings with better ratings and reviews tend to rank higher in search. A reliable cleaner protects both your rating and your visibility.
How to choose and manage an Airbnb cleaner
Choosing a cleaner is easier with a short, repeatable process. Check their experience with short-term rental turnovers, agree what each clean includes in writing, compare quotes on the same scope, and decide who supplies linen. Review the arrangement each quarter, and keep a backup ready.
- Ask how long they have cleaned short-term rentals and how they train and supervise their cleaners.
- Agree a written scope that covers linen, restocking, rubbish and how to report damage or missing items.
- Compare quotes on the same scope, and ask in advance how price changes are handled.
- Decide whether you or the cleaner will supply linen, and set a standard for towels and bedding.
- Line up a backup or check-up cleaner, and inspect between stays. See our guide to first impressions and Airbnb reviews and how to handle guest issues like a pro.
More questions about Airbnb cleaners
How much should I pay an Airbnb cleaner?
Rates vary by property size, location and the scope of each turnover, so compare written quotes for the same scope rather than choosing the lowest price. Ask what is included, such as linen, restocking and issue reporting.
Should I supply my own linen or let the cleaner do it?
Buying your own linen gives you control over quality and durability, but you must store, replace and maintain it. Letting the cleaner supply it is easier but can cost more and gives you less control, so choose based on your time and the standard you want.
Do I need a backup cleaner?
A backup or check-up cleaner covers illness or emergencies and gives you a second set of eyes before the next guest arrives, which helps keep standards consistent between stays.
Is cleanliness a rated category on Airbnb?
Yes. Guests rate cleanliness as one of seven categories, and Airbnb says a home should be free of health hazards like mould and pests and free of extensive dust, pet dander and dirty dishes (Airbnb Help, checked 28 October 2026).
Sources
- Airbnb Help: Ratings for homes (checked 28 October 2026)
- Airbnb Help: How search results work (checked 28 October 2026)
This article is general information, not advice. Airbnb changes its rules from time to time, so check the current terms before you act.
If you want help with cleaners, pricing and bookings, see our full-service Airbnb management or Airbnb revenue management, or read how to remove the Airbnb cleaning fee without losing revenue.