Are You Losing Money by Not Hiring a Pro Cleaner? Find Out Now!

As an Airbnb Superhost, I’ve encountered my fair share of hosting challenges, and if there’s one lesson I’ve learned that stands out above all others, it’s this: cleanliness is EVERYTHING. When I first started hosting, I thought handling the cleaning myself was a smart way to cut costs, and I know many new hosts have the same mindset. After all, how hard could it be to keep things tidy between guests, right? But here’s the hard truth: by skipping out on hiring a professional cleaner, you could actually be losing money without realizing it. The hours you spend cleaning could be used for managing your business, and a less-than-spotless space can lead to negative reviews, fewer bookings, and even lost revenue.

‍

In the highly competitive world of short-term rentals, cleanliness isn’t just about having a tidy home; it’s about meeting the high expectations of guests and setting your property apart from others. Guests expect a hotel-level standard of cleanliness, and anything less can reflect poorly in reviews, directly impacting your bottom line. A professional cleaner ensures every detail is attended to, from deep-cleaning the bathroom to dusting those hard-to-reach spots, leaving your property guest-ready every time.

‍

Wondering how hiring a pro cleaner could be the key to higher earnings? It’s simple: a spotless home leads to better reviews, better reviews boost your listing visibility, and more visibility results in more bookings. Plus, with consistent 5-star cleanliness ratings, you’re likely to attract higher-quality guests willing to pay premium rates. In short, investing in professional cleaning is a strategy that not only improves the guest experience but also directly translates to you making more money, making it a must for your hosting business. Let’s break down why hiring a pro cleaner could be the key to unlocking higher earnings and a smoother hosting experience.

‍

‍

Contents

• The hidden costs of DIY cleaning
• Cleanliness affects your reviews and your bottom line
• The financial benefits of hiring a pro cleaner
• How to easily hire a professional cleaner
• Do the math—is it worth it?
• Conclusion: invest in a pro cleaner and watch your earnings grow

‍

‍

The hidden costs of DIY cleaning

‍

Time is money—are you spending yours wisely?

‍

Time is money might be one of those cliche sayings that get’s thrown around a lot. But just because it’s cliche, doesn’t mean it’s not true. So let’s start with this most obvious cost: your time. Sure, you may be able to save a few bucks by cleaning the property yourself, but how much time are you truly spending between guests? If you’re like I was when I first started hosting, you’re likely dedicating several hours after each checkout, scrubbing floors, changing linens, and ensuring the property is guest-ready. Now, ask yourself this: what else could you be doing with those precious hours? As a host, your time is valuable. Instead of cleaning, you could be enhancing your listing, tweaking your description to improve search rankings, or promptly responding to guest inquiries—things that directly impact your business’s growth.

‍

In my first few months as a host, I found myself constantly rushing to clean after guests, often spending entire afternoons getting the property ready for the next arrival. By the time I was done, I was too exhausted to focus on the tasks that actually grew my business, like keeping up with guest communication or following up to ask for reviews. Not only was it draining, but it also limited my ability to scale and optimize my hosting efforts.

Hiring a professional cleaner changed everything. It freed up my schedule, allowing me to focus on some of these higher-priority tasks. With that extra time, I was able to boost my occupancy rate, attract better guests, and even increase my nightly rates. Plus, having a professional cleaner guaranteed that my property met a consistent standard of cleanliness that guests appreciated, leading to more 5-star reviews. In the end, the money I spent on cleaning services came back to me through increased bookings and time to grow my business by adding more listings. It’s not just about saving time—it’s about using your time to invest in the aspects of your business that truly pay off. It’s also about prioritizing management business development tasks that can only be done by you as the host, while delegating cleaning tasks to professional cleaners who are more efficient, and can do a better job in a shorter time. After all, there’s only one you. And there a many good cleaners out there.

‍

Missed opportunities for more bookings

‍

Here’s another often-overlooked cost of DIY cleaning: longer turnovers can lead to fewer bookings. When you’re handling the cleaning yourself, you might find it challenging to turn around the property quickly enough to accommodate same-day check-ins or back-to-back bookings, particularly during peak seasons. I remember days when guests would check out in the morning, but I’d struggle to get everything cleaned and ready by late afternoon. This delay meant I missed out on potential bookings for that same day, impacting my overall occupancy rate and revenue.

‍

In contrast, professional cleaners bring speed and efficiency to the table. They are experienced in handling cleaning tasks swiftly without compromising on quality, and they are adept at managing the thorough cleaning process efficiently, allowing them to handle tasks that might take you hours in just a fraction of the time, which ultimately translates to significantly shorter turnover times. This efficiency allows you to offer quick check-ins and accept back-to-back bookings more easily. By reducing the time between guest departures and arrivals, you maximize the number of bookings you can accommodate, especially during busy periods. This means more revenue and less downtime for your property.

‍

The risk of burnout

‍

One thing I didn’t expect when I started hosting was the physical and emotional toll that cleaning would take. Balancing guest communication, property maintenance, and the demanding task of cleaning all by myself quickly meant that a  once fulfilling endeavor began to feel like an arduous chore and became overwhelming which led to serious burnout. I found myself dreading the cleaning part of every turnover, which affected my enthusiasm for hosting overall. And if your heart is not in this, it will show on your reviews, and bookings, and ultimately affect your bottom line.

‍

If you find that hosting is beginning to feel more like a burden than a joy due to the cleaning demands, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to re-evaluate your approach. Hiring a professional cleaner can significantly lighten your load, allowing you to focus on the aspects of hosting that you genuinely enjoy—such as enhancing guest experiences, personalizing interactions, and growing your business. With a professional cleaner handling the heavy lifting, you can preserve your enthusiasm for hosting and ensure that every guest has a memorable and positive stay.

‍

‍

Cleanliness affects your reviews and your bottom line

‍

The impact of cleanliness on ratings

‍

In the beginning of this article, we talked about the direct correlation between cleanliness and earnings. This is because cleanliness is absolutely crucial when it comes to guest reviews on Airbnb. I can't stress this enough—guests really pay attention to how clean your place is, and Airbnb’s review system makes it super easy for them to highlight cleanliness as a key rating factor. If your place falls short in this department, you can bet your bottom dollar that guests will not hesitate to let you—and all future potential guests—know about it. A few missed spots or a lingering smell can turn a potentially glowing review into a mediocre one.

‍

Early on, I received a couple of four-star reviews for cleanliness. And while four stars aren’t terrible, it wasn’t helping me get those coveted 5-star ratings. As soon as I hired a professional cleaner, those ratings improved. Guests started commenting on how spotless the place was, and those comments translated into better overall reviews and more bookings because when future guests see a ton of glowing reviews about the cleanliness, they’re much more likely to hit that “Book Now” button.

‍

Bad reviews lead to fewer bookings

‍

Conversely (and pretty obviously), bad reviews can seriously impact your future bookings, and when it comes to cleanliness, those reviews can be even more damaging. Potential guests often sift through recent reviews to get a sense of what they’re in for. If they spot any mention of cleanliness issues—even just a hint—they might start looking elsewhere. After all, nobody wants to stay in a place that sounds like it might not be very clean.

‍

I learned this lesson the hard way. I had a guest who, while generally pleased with their stay, mentioned in their review that my bathroom “could have been cleaner.” Even though it was a small comment in an otherwise positive review, I noticed a slight drop in bookings after that. It was like a wake-up call—cleanliness really does matter, and I couldn’t afford to let it slip. Hiring a professional cleaner ensured that every guest had a spotless experience—and that my reviews (and bottom line) reflected it.

‍

‍

The financial benefits of hiring a pro cleaner

‍

Increased booking rates from better reviews

‍

I can’t stress this enough: there’s a direct connection between great reviews and more bookings, and cleanliness plays a major role in both. The higher your reviews, the more guests will trust your property, and many are willing to pay more for a place that consistently gets 5-star ratings.

‍

By hiring a professional cleaner, you’re investing in better reviews, which ultimately leads to more bookings—and sometimes, even higher nightly rates. Guests are happy to pay a premium for properties they know will meet their cleanliness standards.

‍

Faster turnovers allow for more bookings

‍

As I mentioned earlier, pro cleaners are fast. When you’re able to turn over your property quicker between guests, you can squeeze in more bookings—especially during peak seasons. In one instance, I had a guest check out at 11 AM and a new one check in by 3 PM, something that would have been impossible without my professional cleaner handling the turnover.

‍

More frequent bookings mean more revenue for you. And during busy times, those extra bookings really add up.

‍

Fewer disputes and refund requests

‍

Now it’s time to talk about the “D-word”. That’s right, I’m talking about the dreaded dispute process, which usually starts with a guest complaint. And let me tell you, as an Airbnb host, one of the biggest headaches is dealing with guest complaints, especially about cleanliness. Early on, I tried the whole DIY cleaning approach to save money. A couple of missed spots—like a stray hair in the shower or some dust on the shelves—and suddenly, you’re hit with a guest complaint, and trust me, that can quickly snowball into bigger issues.

‍

Once I even had a guest threaten to cancel mid-stay because they didn’t think the place was clean enough. Not only did I lose money from that booking (they ended up accepting a 30% refund rather than cancelling), but I also had to deal with Airbnb's dispute process. Total nightmare. That’s when I made the switch to hiring a professional cleaner, and wow, what a difference! They know what to look for and make sure nothing’s left to chance. Now, my listing consistently gets top marks for cleanliness, and I haven’t had any complaints or cancellations related to it since. It’s like a weight off my shoulders.

‍

Here’s the thing—guests are way less likely to cancel or ask for a refund if the place is spotless. No one wants to deal with the back-and-forth of disputes, especially when it’s about something as preventable as cleanliness. With a professional cleaner, you minimize those risks because they usually take before-and-after photos, document any issues they find, and are pros at leaving everything just right. Plus, if something does go wrong (which happens to the best of us), you’ve got evidence from the cleaner to back you up in case the guest tries to complain or request a refund. That can be a game-changer when dealing with Airbnb’s dispute resolution system.

‍

Long-term savings from reduced wear and tear

‍

Professional cleaners not only make sure everything is clean, but they also help maintain your property by regularly addressing areas that might get overlooked in a DIY cleaning. From deep-cleaning carpets to properly caring for surfaces, a pro cleaner can prevent long-term damage to your property that could lead to expensive repairs or replacements later on.

‍

Additionally, the really good professional cleaners are worth their weight in gold when they keep and eye out for and report guest damage so busy hosts can submit Air Cover claims for reimbursement, saving more on repair and replacements costs.

‍

‍

How to easily hire a professional cleaner

‍

For hosts looking to streamline their cleaning process, KwickTurn offers a simple and efficient solution by connecting Airbnb hosts with a marketplace of professional Airbnb cleaners. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your current cleaning routine, KwickTurn takes the hassle out of finding reliable, high-quality cleaners and managing turnovers. With features like automated scheduling with synced Airbnb booking calendars, transparent and upfront pricing, and automated payments, KwickTurn ensures that your property is always guest-ready without all the usual stress. Hosts can focus more on providing a great experience while KwickTurn handles the rest.

‍

No fees for hosts (it’s essentially free!)

‍

One of the things we love most about KwickTurn is that there are no fees for hosts! Since Airbnb guests cover the cleaning fee, using KwickTurn is essentially free for hosts like you and me. No hidden costs, no surprises—just a simple, effective way to get your place cleaned. This means you can find your cleaners and leverage the power of all the automation tools without any added costs so you can maximize your earnings and focus on providing a top-notch experience for your guests.

‍

Automated scheduling and synced calendars

‍

KwickTurn automatically syncs with your Airbnb calendar, ensuring you never have to worry about scheduling conflicts, missed cleanings, or last-minute scrambles to find a cleaner. The cleaners can see all upcoming bookings and plan their schedules in advance, allowing for seamless coordination. The best part? They only see the information necessary to do their job—just the dates and times, without access to sensitive details like guest names, personal information, or pricing. This thoughtful design strikes the perfect balance between efficiency and privacy, so both hosts and guests can feel secure while maintaining a smooth turnover process.

‍

Upfront pricing with KwickTurn price Instant Deal feature

‍

With the KwickTurn price instant deal feature, you can see each cleaner’s rate upfront, right on their profile. The price is automatically calculated for your property, saving you the hassle of negotiating or comparing multiple quotes. And because everything is clear from the start, you don’t have to worry about hidden fees or unexpected costs.

‍

Automated payments through the app

‍

Payments are one less thing to worry about with KwickTurn. The app manages everything for you—automated and hassle-free. You no longer need to manually transfer payments after each cleaning project, a task that can become cumbersome, especially if you manage multiple properties. Just set up your payment method once, and KwickTurn takes care of the rest. With its seamless integration and automated payment processing, you can enjoy a worry-free experience. Set it up, and forget about it—KwickTurn ensures that everything runs smoothly and efficiently, so you can focus on other aspects of managing your properties.

‍

‍

Do the math—is it worth it?

‍

A simple cost-benefit analysis

‍

Let’s break it down. If you’re spending hours cleaning after each guest, you’re not only losing time but also money from missed bookings and potentially lower reviews. By hiring a professional cleaner, you save time, increase your booking potential, and improve your reviews—all of which lead to more income in the long run.

‍

Case study: a host's experience

Let’s use two of my properties as an example and compare them over the course of their first months. Property 1 was my first listing and as I mentioned before, thought I was saving money by DIY cleaning. That first month as  new listing I managed to get 5 bookings averaging about $1,000 host payout per booking, which earned me about $5,000 in my first month. Not bad at all. Now let’s look at my second property in a similar area. Now I had already learned my lesson about not hiring a pro cleaner by the time I launched this one. So I had my trusted cleaner ready to go from day 1. I also had already achieved Superhost status from my first property so I could charge a little more each night for this property which brought my average host payout per booking up to about $1,200. And with my pro cleaner I was now able to accept same-day bookings which meant I could squeeze in 2 more bookings up to 7 bookings in the first month. Even with the $1,260 I paid my cleaner, I still made about $7,140 in that first month (over $2,000 more than with my first listing)!

‍

Conclusion: invest in a pro cleaner and watch your earnings grow

‍

At the end of the day, hiring a professional cleaner isn’t just about saving time—it’s about increasing your earnings. By providing a spotless property, you’ll get better reviews, more bookings, and higher rates, all while reducing your stress and avoiding burnout.

‍

So, are you losing money by not hiring a pro cleaner? The answer is almost certainly yes. Use KwickTurn to invest in a professional cleaner, and watch your Airbnb business grow!

‍