Maintaining a spotless property is one of the most crucial aspects of running a successful Airbnb. Cleanliness directly impacts guest satisfaction, reviews, and overall profitability. Finding and managing reliable cleaners is essential, but it can also be a challenge. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you source, hire, and retain high-quality Airbnb cleaners, ensuring your property stays in top condition for every guest.

How to Find Reliable Airbnb Cleaners

1. Start with Recommendations and Online Listings

One of the best ways to find reliable cleaners is through word-of-mouth recommendations from fellow Airbnb hosts. You can ask in local Facebook groups, Airbnb host forums, or short-term rental communities.

Additionally, online platforms such as:

• TurnoverBnB (a marketplace for vacation rental cleaners)
• TaskRabbit (freelance service providers)
• Thumbtack (local service providers)

allow you to connect with experienced cleaners specializing in short-term rental cleaning.

2. Conduct Trial Cleans and Evaluations

Before committing to a long-term arrangement, schedule a deep cleaning session as a trial. This will help you assess their attention to detail, efficiency, and professionalism. Look for:

• Thoroughness (Are they cleaning under furniture and behind appliances?)
• Consistency (Are they following your cleaning checklist?)
• Punctuality (Do they arrive on time and complete tasks promptly?)

3. Offer Competitive Pay and Incentives

To attract and retain high-quality cleaners, you need to pay well. If you offer competitive rates, your property will be prioritized over other clients. Keep in mind:

• Higher pay = Higher quality service.
• Bonuses for exceptional performance (e.g., if your guest leaves a 5-star cleanliness review, give a small bonus.)
• Holiday pay and peak-season bonuses to ensure reliability during busy times.

How to Manage Your Airbnb Cleaning Team

4. Set Clear Expectations and Provide Training

Cleaners need to understand the specific requirements of Airbnb turnovers versus standard home cleaning. Provide a detailed checklist that covers:

• Bathroom disinfection (toilet, sink, shower, mirrors, etc.)
• Kitchen deep-cleaning (wiping down appliances, cleaning dishes, checking for expired food)
• Bedroom reset (changing linens, fluffing pillows, checking for lost items)
• Restocking essentials (toilet paper, soap, coffee, etc.)

Training sessions can help ensure they follow the same standard for every clean. If possible, shadow them during the first few cleans to ensure consistency.

5. Perform Regular Quality Audits

Even experienced cleaners need occasional quality checks. You can:

• Do spot-checks yourself or hire a co-host to inspect the property.
• Use guest feedback to identify areas of improvement.
• Implement a rating system where cleaners are scored after each turnover.

6. Build Loyalty with Long-Term Incentives

To retain great cleaners, make them feel valued by:

• Offering pay raises after 6-12 months of consistent performance.
• Providing flexibility in scheduling where possible.
• Rewarding reliability (e.g., an end-of-year bonus for consistent work).

Conclusion

Finding and managing great Airbnb cleaners is essential for maintaining high guest ratings and a successful short-term rental business. By offering fair pay, clear expectations, and regular quality checks, you can ensure that your property remains spotless and inviting for every guest. Whether you manage one property or multiple listings, investing in a high-quality cleaning team will ultimately boost your Airbnb’s reputation and profitability.