Why do Airbnbs have cleaning fees and chore lists?
Short-term rental platforms tack on steep cleaning fees while still requiring guests to handle exhaustive checkout tasks like taking out the trash and scrubbing up. This double standard makes travelers feel exploited and drives them back to booking traditional hotels.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Switching to booking traditional hotels or aparthotels insteadDid this help you?
- 2Only using short-term rentals for large family groups where more space or a kitchen is strictly necessaryDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Between the $150 "cleaning fee" (where they still ask you to take out the trash), the chore list on the fridge, and the inconsistent quality... I find myself just booking a hotel.”source ↗
“Being expected to thoroughly clean the place yourself AND a massive cleaning fee being tacked on is just so absurd.”source ↗
“If I’m paying a cleaning fee, I’m not putting myself out. I leave things neat but I will not be fussy about it.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 12How to keep a messy house clean with kids and a full-time job
- 7How to handle a demanding houseguest who expects to be waited on