One of the most common questions new Airbnb hosts ask is: "How much should I pay for turnover cleaning?" The answer depends on several factors, but understanding the market helps you budget accurately and avoid overpaying — or underpaying and getting subpar results.
Average Airbnb Cleaning Costs in 2026
Professional Airbnb turnover cleaning prices vary by region, but here are typical ranges for the Austin, Texas metro area:
These prices typically include a full turnover clean: trash removal, linen changes, bathroom and kitchen deep-scrub, vacuuming/mopping, and a walkthrough inspection.
What Affects the Price?
Several factors push prices up or down:
Property Size — More square footage means more time. A 2,500-square-foot home takes significantly longer than a 900-square-foot apartment, even if both have two bedrooms.
Number of Bathrooms — Bathrooms are the most labor-intensive room to clean properly. Each additional bathroom adds 20–30 minutes of work.
Laundry — If your cleaning service handles linen laundering on-site (washing, drying, folding, remaking beds), expect to pay more than a "strip and replace" model where you provide pre-washed linens.
Restocking — Some services include supply restocking (toiletries, coffee, paper goods) in their base price. Others charge extra or bill you separately for supplies.
Deep Cleaning Add-Ons — Standard turnover cleans cover surfaces. If you need oven interiors, refrigerator deep-cleans, grout scrubbing, or window washing, those are usually priced as add-ons.
Frequency — Hosts with regular, predictable turnovers often get better per-clean rates than hosts who book sporadically.
Should You Pass the Cleaning Fee to Guests?
Yes — and Airbnb makes it easy. You can set a cleaning fee on your listing that guests pay once per booking. Most guests expect it and factor it into their decision.
Best practice: set your cleaning fee at or slightly below your actual cost. Inflated cleaning fees are one of the top complaints on Airbnb and can hurt your booking rate. If your cleaning costs $175, charge $150–$175 as the fee and consider the rest a cost of doing business.
Hiring a Professional vs. Cleaning Yourself
Many new hosts start by cleaning their own property. It saves money upfront, but the math changes as your business grows:
Red Flags When Hiring a Cleaning Service
Not all cleaning services understand the unique demands of short-term rental turnovers. Watch out for:
The Bottom Line
Professional Airbnb cleaning is an investment in your reviews, your ranking, and your sanity. Budget $100–$300 per turnover depending on your property size, and treat it as a core operating cost — not an optional expense.
