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 email, 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.
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 run. Similarly, opting for the highest-priced cleaners doesn’t always guarantee 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. These businesses often cycle through cleaners, and many may rely on cash-in-hand workers—which is a significant risk. These workers typically lack proper training, are often unqualified, and might not be reliable enough to meet the standards you need for short-term rentals.
Additionally, cash-in-hand workers are more likely to cut corners or not take the job seriously. This not only puts your property at risk but also increases the likelihood of your cleaner missing areas of the property that need attention. It’s also important to note that cleaners without formal training may not be familiar with specialized 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. Remember: you get what you pay for.
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” is a tactic some cleaners use to lure you in with a competitive price, and then gradually raise the cost once they’ve established a relationship with you. In some cases, cleaners may increase their prices by 10%, 20%, or even 50%, claiming that they “underquoted” your property initially and need to adjust the rate.
But here’s the reality: A cleaner who increases their price mid-contract is likely testing the waters to see how much they can get away with. 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 guarantee 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 or co-host 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 – A Lazy and Filthy Practice
Triple sheeting is a quick way to make a bed look tidy without the effort of laundering 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 always 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 ensure that your property is always 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.
