The Ultimate Airbnb Host Guide (2026)

Last updated: January 2026

‍When listing a property on Airbnb, setting the right cleaning fee is a critical decision for hosts. The cleaning fee impacts your potential earnings, guest satisfaction, and booking rates.This post will explore what the Airbnb cleaning fee is, explain how it works, and provide tips to help you determine the best fee for your property. Whether you're a new host or looking to optimize your current listing, understanding the role of the cleaning fee is essential for creating a successful and competitive Airbnb experience.

Disclaimer: Lodgify is an Airbnb Preferred+ Software Partner. This guide, including any claims or statements within, is solely from Lodgify and is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, authorized, or sponsored by Airbnb in any way.

Don't see the form to download our Airbnb rental agreement? Click here.

What is the Airbnb cleaning fee?

The Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time charge that hosts can set to cover the costs of cleaning and preparing their property for each guest's stay. This fee is added to a guest's total booking amount and is intended to compensate the host for the time and resources needed to clean the space, restock essentials, and ensure the property is ready for the next guest.It can cover tasks like washing linens, scrubbing bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, and sanitizing high-touch areas. Setting an appropriate cleaning fee allows hosts to maintain a high standard of cleanliness without absorbing all the expenses out of pocket.

How much is an Airbnb cleaning fee?

The amount of an Airbnb cleaning fee can vary depending on the property's size, location, and the level of cleaning required. According to conversations throughout the Airbnb Community Center, cleaning fees typically range from $50 to $90 for smaller properties, such as studios or one-bedroom apartments. For larger homes with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, the cleaning fee can range from $100 to $250 or more.Hosts should consider their property's particular needs, such as whether additional services like laundry or deep cleaning are necessary, and adjust the fee accordingly. It's important to strike a balance. Setting the fee too high might discourage bookings, while setting it too low could lead to out-of-pocket costs or reduced standards of cleanliness. Researching the cleaning fees of similar properties in your area can provide helpful benchmarks to determine an appropriate fee.

How to add an Airbnb cleaning fee

1. Log in to your Airbnb account and navigate to your calendar.
2. Click on Price settings.
3. Under Additional charges, select Fees.
4. Choose Cleaning fee and input the amount.
5. Save!

The cleaning fee you set will only apply to reservations made after the fee was added. Bookings made before this change, even if payment has not yet been completed, will not include the new cleaning fee. It's important to keep this in mind when adjusting your fees.

Other things to know about the Airbnb cleaning fee

When setting an Airbnb cleaning fee, consider the following tips to strike a balance between offering a competitive price and effectively covering your overhead costs:

• The cleaning fee is generally nonrefundable and is used by the host specifically for cleaning the rental property after a stay.
• Guests will see the nightly rate for your property, which includes the cleaning fee divided by the total number of nights in their reservation.
• Upon submitting a reservation request, guests will receive a detailed breakdown of costs, including the nightly rate and cleaning fee.
• Since the cleaning fee is included in the total payment from the guest for the vacation rental and is part of the Airbnb host payout, service fees apply to the total cleaning amount at the end of the booking process.

Don't see the form to download our Airbnb rental agreement? Click here.