We cover everything STR hosts need to know about maintaining a clean and competitive rental property, from setting reasonable Vrbo cleaning fees to building a productive relationship with a professional cleaning service. Learn how to keep your property spotless without breaking the bank or your back.

Vrbo Cleaning Service Guide for STR Owners

Vrbo cleaning fees vary by market and property size, with U.S. hosts charging an average of $156.

Deciding between DIY cleaning and hiring a professional service depends on your budget, time, and property size.

Clear communication, regular quality checks, and flexible scheduling are key to effective collaboration with a cleaning service.

Keeping your rental clean is a must if you want to stay competitive. Guests may overlook a shortage of towels, the lack of an Airbnb guidebook, or a finicky key lockbox, but a dirty bathroom? No way. 

The question isn’t whether you need to prioritize cleanliness, but how you’ll keep your short-term rental (STR) clean. Should you handle the cleaning yourself, or is it time to call in a professional Vrbo cleaning service? What about that cleaning fee—should you charge one, and if so, how much?

Hosts can opt to charge a Vrbo cleaning fee to cover the cost of cleaning a Vrbo property after a guest checks out. Cleaning fees are one-time charges set by the host. The total cleaning fee remains the same regardless of the length of a guest’s stay, whether they book one night or one month.

Most people assume that all vacation rentals charge a cleaning fee—but data says otherwise.

Interestingly, the prevalence of cleaning fees varies by country. Fees for vacation rental cleaning services are most prevalent in the US. In other countries, many—and sometimes the majority of—Vrbo properties don’t charge a cleaning fee at all.

For example, in the United Kingdom, only 36% of Vrbo listings charge a cleaning fee. In France, just over half of properties do. In contrast, 91% of Vrbo properties in the U.S. charge a cleaning fee.

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What Is the Average Cleaning Fee for Vrbo?

The average cleaning fee for vacation rental properties in the US is $156. 

That said, cleaning fees vary based on market, property type, and region. As you might expect, larger properties in high-demand destinations typically charge higher fees than smaller properties in less-traveled areas. Cleaning fees also generally increase with bedroom count. Let’s take a closer look.

Cleaning fees tend to correspond with property size, since larger properties are more labor-intensive to clean. Cleaning fees also increase with bedroom count. 

Consider the size of your property as a whole, as well as how many bedrooms it has, when setting your vacation rental cleaning service fee.

Vacation rentals in remote locations often charge higher cleaning fees due to the distance between properties and the challenge of finding available labor. In these areas, the scarcity of workers and travel time for cleaners may mean you need to drive up your cleaning fee. Vrbo listings in destination markets also typically get away with charging higher cleaning fees. 

In urban environments, labor costs tend to rise with the cost of living, making Vrbo cleaning services more expensive in larger cities compared to smaller towns.

AirDNA's cleaning fee dashboard shows exactly what percentage of listings in your area charge a cleaning fee and how those fees vary by bedroom count. Use this data as your benchmark to ensure your fees are reasonable for your market while adequately covering costs.

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How Much Should You Charge for Your Vrbo Cleaning Fee?

Stary by checking how competitors in your market handle cleaning fees. Use our cleaning fee dashboard for insights on fee ranges for your market.

Make sure your cleaning fee is reasonably priced relative to your nightly rate. Guests probably won’t be too pleased to be hit with a $300 cleaning fee for a Vrbo that costs $150/night.

If you’re concerned about how potential guests will react to the extra fee, remember: guest frustration about cleaning fees often isn’t about the fee itself—it’s about how cleaning costs can inflate the overall price upon booking. 

Keep things transparent and aligned with your market to avoid any last-minute sticker shock. You might want to consider all-in pricing—that is, wrap the cost of cleaning services into your nightly rate instead of adding it as a separate fee.

Adding or managing cleaning fees on your Vrbo listing is straightforward:

Log in to your Vrbo account and go to your listing.

Under Standard fees, enter the amount you want to charge for your cleaning fee.

Don’t forget to click Save when finished.

Can You Add a Cleaning Fee to an Existing Booking?

No, cleaning fees you set on Vrbo will only apply to future bookings. Any bookings made prior to fee changes will remain under the old pricing structure.

Sharing Your Cleaning Practices in Your Vrbo Listing

You’re not required to inform prospective guests of your cleaning practices, but choosing to can reduce the number of questions you receive and show your dedication to a spotless guest experience.

You can showcase your cleaning practices in your listing’s “Health and Safety” section to set your guests at ease and avoid misunderstandings. This is especially impactful for post-pandemic travelers who prioritize cleanliness.

Vacation Rental Property Cleaning Checklist

Whether you’re tackling the cleaning yourself or hiring a professional Vrbo cleaning service, having a cleaning checklist will keep you organized and ensure no tasks slip through the cracks.

If you ever decide to switch to a new cleaner or outsource the job later, a checklist will maintain consistency so your property meets the same high standards every time.

Here’s a basic cleaning checklist that you can customize and flesh out for your unique property:

Wash all linens (towels, bedding, blankets, etc.)

Wipe down window panes, windowsills, and blinds

Disinfect high touch surfaces like light switches and doorknobs

Wipe down appliances (stove, microwave, etc.)

Ensure supplies—paper towels, dish soap, sponge, etc.—are restocked 

Verify that dressers and closets are empty

Disinfect the toilet, shower, sink, and bathtub

Restock supplies (soap, toilet paper, tissues, etc.)

For a comprehensive list of what should be on your cleaning agenda, check out our short-term rental cleaning checklist. 

Cleaning Yourself vs. Hiring Professional Vrbo Cleaning Services

Your choice to clean your Vrbo property yourself or outsource to professional cleaners should align with your budget, schedule, and guest expectations.

Doing the cleaning yourself can save you money upfront. However, it demands significant time and energy, especially if your calendar is frequently booked. If you're managing just one or two properties and have a flexible schedule, this option may work well for you. Plus, cleaning your own property allows for a personal touch—you know your space best, and you can ensure every corner is spotless.

However, with the potential for back-to-back bookings, the DIY approach can quickly become overwhelming. Consider whether you’re prepared to take on last-minute cleans between guests, especially if they’ve left your property in less-than-ideal condition. Managing cleaning supplies and maintaining consistency can also add to your workload.

Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service: Outsourcing the Work

On the other hand, hiring professional Vrbo cleaning services offers the luxury of time-saving convenience. A good Vrbo cleaning service can handle the nitty-gritty work, allowing you to focus on managing other aspects of your rental business. Plus, professionals come equipped with the right tools, expertise, and experience, ensuring a high standard of cleanliness that meets guest expectations every time.

Of course, this convenience comes at a cost. Professional cleaners may charge based on property size, location, and the frequency of bookings. You’ll need to balance this added expense against your budget and determine if it's worth the investment, especially in markets where cleaning fees are below average. The peace of mind and guest satisfaction that comes from having a spotless property might justify the expense—after all, cleanliness is often a top factor in positive reviews.

If you do decide to go the route of professional Vrbo cleaning services, begin your search by asking for recommendations from fellow Vrbo hosts or property owners, checking online reviews, and asking for references from well-regarded cleaning companies. Consider whether your property has any unique cleaning requirements, such as materials that demand special equipment or frequent long-term stays that require deep-clean services. Confirm that any prospective cleaning company can personalize their services according to your needs. 

For a more detailed guide on how to find the best cleaning service, head over to our full article here.

How to Work Efficiently with Your Vrbo Cleaning Service Company

Establishing a trusted partnership with your Vrbo cleaning service provider can make a big difference in how your property runs. 

Here are a few tips to help streamline the process:

Communicate Expectations Clearly: Start by setting clear expectations with your cleaning team. Outline specific cleaning tasks, timelines, and any special instructions for preparing the property for new guests. Providing a checklist is one way to make sure nothing gets missed.

Conduct Regular Quality Checks: Make it a habit to periodically review the cleaning service’s work. This will help maintain high standards and address any issues before they become troublesome patterns.

Plan for Flexibility: Unforeseen circumstances can arise, like last-minute bookings or changes in a guest’s schedule. Discuss flexible scheduling in advance to make sure your cleaning team can accommodate these shifts.

Use Property Management Software: Vacation rental management software like Uplisting can help automate and simplify the process of collaborating with a Vrbo cleaning service provider. Uplisting’s integrated cleaning scheduler allows you to automatically notify your cleaners whenever a booking is made or canceled. This helps prevent miscommunication and keeps everything running on time, especially during high turnover periods.

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Learn to set fees, choose between DIY or pro cleaners, and find the best service to keep your vacation rental spotless.

Vrbo Cleaning Service Guide for STR Owners

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