You can't leave an Airbnb extremely dirty (like leaving moldy dishes or soiled carpets), but you aren't expected to deep clean; you should tidy up your personal messes, wash dishes, take out trash, and follow host instructions, as excessive mess can lead to bad reviews, even with a cleaning fee, which covers standard turnover, not major cleaning. Treat it like a friend's home: clean up personal spills, keep common areas tidy, and respect the property.
Most hosts charge a cleaning fee to cover professional turnover between guests. That fee implies the host will perform the main cleaning. If guests leave excessive mess or damage beyond normal wear, hosts may file a claim through Airbnb Resolution or security deposit to recoup cleaning or repair costs.
Cleanliness: Guests should not leave the listing in a state that requires excessive or deep cleaning (moldy dishes, soiled carpets, stains from pets, etc.). Cleaning fees set by hosts are only meant to cover the cost of standard cleaning between reservations (laundry, vacuuming, etc.).
Contact your host.
Your host is usually the first point of contact and can often resolve cleanliness issues quickly. You can message your host directly—clearly describe what is wrong and where, and include your documentation. You can request money in the Resolution Center.
You can ask the Host to fix the issue, request a refund of the cleaning fee or, for severe issues, you could request to cancel your reservation for a full refund of the remaining nights. Wait for a response: If your Host declines or doesn't respond, you can ask Airbnb to step in to help.
Eligible travel issues listed under Airbnb's policy
Airbnb property not safe or clean – Your property should be ready to welcome guests at the agreed check-in time. If a guest arrives and finds that the property has not been cleaned (i.e. dirty sheets, rubbish lying around) they have a right to request a refund.
Airbnb's "25+ Rule" restricts guests under 25 from booking entire homes locally to prevent parties, but exceptions exist for those with positive reviews (3+ good reviews) or if booking far from home or private/shared rooms; hosts can also set their own 25+ rules in listings, requiring ID verification, but the platform's policy targets specific high-risk local bookings.
All listings should be clean and free of health hazards before guest check-in. Health and safety: Listings should be free of health hazards (mold, pests, etc.). Cleanliness: Hosts should provide listings that meet a high standard of cleanliness (free of extensive dust, pet dander, dirty dishes, etc.).
Red Flags When Screening Airbnb Guests
Incomplete profiles. Poor or no reviews. Last-minute bookings. Evasive or inconsistent communication.
The 20-minute cleaning rule (also known as the 20/10 rule) is a simple, time-boxed method to tackle household chores by cleaning with focused intensity for 20 minutes and then taking a 10-minute break, repeating as needed to prevent burnout and keep messes from piling up. It breaks large tasks into manageable sprints, making cleaning less overwhelming by focusing on progress over perfection through short, frequent sessions rather than marathon cleaning days, often tied to the FlyLady system or similar organizing principles.
My colleagues aren't alone. A 2021 study of more than 125,000 Airbnb complaints on Twitter found that 72% of the issues were related to poor customer service and 22% were related to scams.
What are common Airbnb cleaning mistakes?
Cleaning Airbnb Bed Sheets
As stated above, bed sheets should be washed after every guest. Airbnb professional cleaners recommend having one or two extra sets of clean sheets at your property to help ensure a quick turnover.
While some hosts may expect guests to perform basic cleaning tasks before checking out, others may handle all cleaning responsibilities themselves. Be sure to review the rental agreement and any specific instructions provided by your host regarding cleaning expectations.
Treat your host's home like your own
Hosts may not charge guest fees for failing to perform specific cleaning or checkout tasks, but they may leave ratings and reviews based on cleanliness. Litter: Guests should put their trash in designated trash receptacles and be mindful of excessive amounts of trash.
You may be asked to pay
You'll be given the opportunity to voluntarily submit a timely payment or an appeal. If you don't submit a timely payment or appeal, or your appeal is unsuccessful, your payment method will be charged. (This doesn't apply to stays in China, Japan, or India.)
The biggest problems with Airbnb involve a mix of guest experience issues like hidden fees (especially cleaning), cleanliness, broken amenities, and difficult hosts/rules, alongside broader community concerns about housing affordability, neighborhood disruption, and increasing competition making it less unique or affordable than hotels. Regulatory crackdowns in some cities also highlight growing tensions over short-term rentals.
Always communicate and pay on Airbnb
Keep yourself, your payment, and your personal information safe by staying on our secure platform throughout the entire process—from communication to booking and payment. You should never be asked to wire money, provide credit card information, or otherwise pay a Host directly.
So, if you're wondering, “is it legal to have cameras in an Airbnb?” — the legal landscape may vary, but Airbnb's policy does not: indoor monitoring is not allowed. To stay compliant and maintain guest trust, remember to: Use only outdoor cameras in public-facing areas. Disclose every device clearly in your listing.
The 20/10 cleaning method (or rule) is a time-management technique for tidying and organizing, involving focused work for 20 minutes, followed by a mandatory 10-minute break, and then repeating the cycle, inspired by the Pomodoro Technique. It breaks overwhelming tasks into manageable chunks, preventing burnout by building in rest, making cleaning more approachable and sustainable by focusing on consistency rather than marathon sessions, and encouraging completion by finishing tasks like putting laundry away during breaks.
You should clean your Airbnb rental thoroughly after every guest checkout. This includes all rooms, linens, and restocking essentials. If you offer longer stays, consider scheduling a mid-stay cleaning for guest comfort and maintenance.
“There are quiet hours from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am. We ask that guests keep their noise levels down during these hours.” When defining your rules, being specific is conducive to avoiding confusion.
Longer minimum stays help maximize earnings during peak seasons and major events, while shorter stays keep bookings flowing during off-season or in hotel-competitive markets.
Understanding Airbnb's Super Strict cancellation policies
Super Strict 30 Days: Guests get a 50% refund if they cancel 30+ days before check-in. No refund for later cancellations. Super Strict 60 Days: Guests get a 50% refund if they cancel 60+ days before check-in. No refund for later cancellations.
We expect guests in our community to follow certain ground rules, including treating places well and following the Host's house rules. Guest limits are no exception. Guests should be truthful about the number of people coming on a trip and respect the approved number of guests.