Setting the right cleaning fee for your Airbnb can feel like walking a tightrope. On one hand, you need to cover your cleaning costs and uphold a high standard of cleanliness. On the other, an excessively high fee could deter guests and hurt your listing’s visibility. At FrescaVida Home Solutions, we understand the challenges London Airbnb hosts face and how important it is to strike the right balance.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to set a fair Airbnb cleaning fee that reflects your property’s needs, supports a spotless guest experience, and aligns with local market expectations — all without scaring off potential guests.
An Airbnb cleaning fee is a one-time charge added to the cost of a booking. It helps cover the expenses of preparing the property for the next guest, including tasks like changing bed linen, sanitising bathrooms, cleaning appliances, and restocking essentials. Unlike a security deposit, the cleaning fee is non-refundable and applies regardless of the length of stay.
London is one of the most active short-let markets in the world. With fierce competition and high guest expectations, cleanliness can make or break your reviews. A well-set cleaning fee allows you to meet those standards consistently — whether you clean the property yourself or use a professional cleaning service like our Airbnb Turnover Cleaning.
A typical Airbnb cleaning fee in London should account for full room cleaning and sanitisation, linen and towel changes, cleaning supplies (eco-friendly where possible), dishwashing and kitchen reset, rubbish disposal, time spent on tasks, and inventory checks and restocking. If you’re using FrescaVida, we handle all of this for you. Our experienced team ensures that your property is always guest-ready — from Belgravia to Brixton.
Cleaning fees in London vary depending on the property size and location. A studio flat in Soho may have a cleaning fee around £40 to £50, while a two-bedroom home in Kensington could warrant £80 or more.
To remain competitive, you should check similar listings in your area. Overcharging may cause guests to skip your listing entirely. Undercharging could leave you covering the costs out of your own pocket.
Larger homes or luxury listings demand more time and effort. If you’re offering a five-bedroom townhouse in Westminster, your cleaning fee will justifiably be higher than that of a compact flat in Shoreditch.
Guests booking upscale or long-stay rentals usually expect professional cleaning. In these cases, a higher cleaning fee is not only acceptable but expected. Budget-conscious travellers, on the other hand, might be more sensitive to added costs.
Search Airbnb for similar listings in your postcode. Take note of how their cleaning fee relates to the property size and nightly rate. Use this data to find your sweet spot.
Hiring a cleaning service like FrescaVida gives you peace of mind and consistent results. We can customise our Airbnb cleaning plans to fit your turnaround schedule and guest volume.
Learn more about our Airbnb Cleaning Services
Some hosts roll cleaning fees into their nightly rate to avoid surprise charges. Others prefer to keep it separate for transparency. Since Airbnb now displays total pricing upfront, guests see the full cost regardless of structure. That said, breaking down your fee separately makes it easier to justify a lower nightly rate.
Higher cleaning fees cover full cleaning costs and discourage one-night stays, but may appear expensive and reduce bookings. Lower cleaning fees attract more guests, especially for short stays, but might not cover your cleaning expenses or may cut into your profit margin.
Absolutely. One-night stays create high turnover and lower profit margins. Setting a cleaning fee of £60 to £80 can help filter out short-term guests who are not worth the effort of a full turnover clean. Just be cautious not to price yourself out of the market.
Technically, yes. However, advertising it as negotiable invites haggling. It’s better to set a fair, non-negotiable fee that reflects your costs. If guests do message you to negotiate, consider the guest profile carefully before agreeing to discounts.
Log into your Airbnb account. Go to "Listings", click on "Pricing", then select "Cleaning Fee". Enter your new rate and save changes. Make sure your fee reflects your actual cleaning costs, including any outsourced services.
DIY cleaning may work in the beginning, but as your hosting business grows, consistency and time management become vital. That’s where FrescaVida comes in. Our Airbnb turnover cleans include:
Professional-grade cleaning, linen changes, restocking of supplies (if provided), guest-readiness checks, and optional maintenance reporting.
Whether you manage one flat in Marylebone or multiple listings across London, we ensure your spaces stay spotless and your guests leave glowing reviews.
Setting your Airbnb cleaning fee isn’t just about covering costs. It’s a tool that, when used well, supports guest satisfaction, boosts your reviews, and maximises profits. Aim for a fee that reflects your actual costs while still appearing reasonable in your local market.
And if you want a seamless, stress-free way to manage turnovers, trust FrescaVida Home Solutions. We help Airbnb hosts across London stay on top of their game with dependable, high-quality cleaning tailored to your schedule.
Book your first turnover clean today and make your listing stand out with every stay.
