Vrbo Cleaning Service: FAQs Answered [+ Cleaning Checklist] 

A reliable cleaning company is one of the first companies that you’ll want to add to your network of service providers. Guest expectations regarding cleanliness are higher after the pandemic and guests anticipate the same level of cleanliness that hotels offer when they book a short-term rental property. In fact, according to the Vrbo Traveler Value Index 2023, travelers value enhanced cleaning practices above premium benefits and upgrades. 

Here are the FAQs about Vrbo cleaning fees answered, along with tips on how to ensure a spotless space.     

Can Vrbo Hosts Charge a Cleaning Fee?

Yes. Vrbo lets you apply two types of fees to all your dates on your calendar. Cleaning fees fall under their standard fees along with pet fees and fees for extra guests. 

How Do You Add a Cleaning Fee on Vrbo?

Adding a cleaning fee to your Vrbo listing is a straightforward process. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your Vrbo account and select the listing. 
2. Select Calendar, then Settings, followed by Fees. 
3. Click on Standard Fees. 
4. Choose the appropriate fee type that you want to add (in this case, it will be a cleaning fee). 
5. Add the amount you wish to charge. 
6. Click on Save. 

Can You Add a Cleaning Fee After a Guest Has Already Booked Your Property?

No. If you add a cleaning fee or make a change to your current cleaning fee, it will only apply to future bookings. 

What you can do, though, is send your guest an additional payment request so that you can collect those fees before the end of their stay. 

That being said, guests value pricing transparency. It’s better to lose out on a cleaning fee this time around than risk getting a bad review or spoiling the guest’s vacation. 

Should You Share Your Cleaning Practices With Your Guests?

It can be a good idea to inform potential guests about the measures that you take to ensure their safety. Guests often have questions about the cleaning routine. 

To reduce the number of questions and show that you take cleanliness (and their safety) seriously, you can add your cleaning practices to your Vrbo listing. 

Here’s how:

• Log in to your Vrbo account. 
• Via your dashboard, select Edit Property, followed by Health and Safety. 
• Answer the questions about your cleaning practices. 

Vrbo will now share your answers in your property description, under the Policies section. 

What Is the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting?

While similar, cleaning and disinfecting are not the same. They should be treated as two distinct steps when you’re cleaning your vacation rentals. 

Cleaning is often the first step used to get rid of dirt and can involve sweeping a floor or wiping a counter with a cloth. 

However, when you disinfect, you use an approved disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. It’s recommended that you disinfect high-touch surfaces like light switches. 

Is It Necessary to Use a Cleaning Checklist?

Whether you’ll be cleaning your property on your own or you plan on outsourcing it to professional cleaners who specialize in vacation rental cleaning, it’s best to use a checklist. It streamlines the process, helping to save time. Plus, it’s the most reliable way to ensure that nothing gets overlooked. 

Also, if you do decide to hire a cleaner at a later stage or you want to switch to a new cleaner, the checklist will make it easier to maintain the same level of cleanliness. 

What Should You Clean in Your Vacation Rental Property?

To help you create your own cleaning checklist and guarantee an amazing job, here are key tasks to add. This list is by no means exhaustive, but will give you a good idea of how to approach the process. 

In the kitchen:

• Clean and disinfect all countertops, surfaces, and backsplashes
• Check that there are no items (dirty or clean) in the dishwasher, sink or dish rack
• Throw away any leftover food (if an item’s seal is unbroken and it hasn’t expired yet, you can donate it to your cleaners, for example)
• Remove the garbage bag, clean and sanitize the can, and line the trash can with a clean bag
• Clean the interior and exterior of all the kitchen appliances
• Pay special attention to cleaning the inside of the oven and microwave oven
• Wipe down the stovetop
• Clean and disinfect the sink and drain filter 
• Empty the refrigerator and wipe down the inside and outside
• Check that there’s fresh ice available
• Sweep and mop the floor
• Add a new dishwashing sponge, refill the soap, and ensure that there are enough clean tea towels

In the bedrooms:

• Wash all the dirty linen 
• Change the linen, after you’ve checked that the clean set doesn’t have any stains or tears 
• Vacuum/mop the floor (remember to clean under the bed and behind the furniture too)
• Empty the trash can, sanitize the can, and line it with a clean bag
• Dust the furniture
• Clean the mirror
• Set the clock to the correct time
• Clean between the headboard and mattress
• Empty and clean all the closets, dressers, and drawers (if you find any personal belongings left behind, store it in a safe place, contact the guest and arrange how to return it to them)

In the bathroom:

• Clean and disinfect the whole toilet, shower, sink, and bathtub 
• Clean the mirror
• Check all the drains for any hair
• Change the towels and bath/shower mats (ensure that the new set doesn’t show any signs of wear and tear)
• Wash and disinfect the toilet brush
• Mop the floor
• Ensure all the taps and shower head sparkle
• Clean the bathroom cabinets and drawers
• Restock items like the soap, toilet paper, and tissues
• Empty the trash can, sanitize the can, and line it with a clean bag

In common areas:

• Check that the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work
• Dust vents/grids of the air conditioning
• Set the thermostat to the right temperature
• Clean all the windows (including the windowsill and blinds) and double-check that they’re closed and locked
• Clean the screen of the TV and disinfect the remote 
• Dust other electronics
• Dust all the tables
• Vacuum the sofa and armchairs (including all the spaces and crevices between the seating cushions)
• Vacuum/mop the floors
• Wash throw blankets and pillow covers of scatter cushions
• Dust any shelves and decorative items
• Organize miscellaneous items like magazines, books, and board games
• Clean any mirrors
• Check that everything is staged correctly

Which Cleaning Supplies Will You Need?

One of the main reasons why it makes sense to charge a Vrbo cleaning fee is that you’ll need more than just a bucket with some water and soap. Not only do you need various items, but you’ll also need to replenish and replace your cleaning supplies regularly. 

Here’s a list of the items that you’ll need for your basic cleaning routine:

• A vacuum cleaner
• A mop
• A broom
• Microfiber cloths
• Sponges
• Scrub pads
• A toilet brush
• Rubber gloves
• Spray bottles
• An all-purpose cleaner
• A stainless steel cleaner
• A degreaser
• Disinfectants
• A cleaning product for glass surfaces
• A quality, wood polish
• Dishwashing liquid
• Air fresheners
• Hand soap

How Can You Streamline Your Vacation Rental Cleaning Routine?

Channel managers can help you to stay on top of your bookings across the major booking platforms. However, you’ll also need to think about how you can update your cleaners’ schedules. 

As such, it’s better to invest in an all-in-one property management software solution. A tool like iGMS helps property managers to streamline their communication with their cleaning team. It combines functionality with flexibility, allowing you to assign specific tasks to specific cleaners without worrying that other cleaners will get confused. Cleaner’s work orders view is restricted to their own tasks. Then, to help ensure that you stay up to date, you can access daily, weekly, or annual overviews via its intuitive dashboard. 

Aside from helping you to communicate with your cleaning services, iGMS offers property owners various other features and help them to:

• Utilize the Channel Manager to manage accounts and listings on top vacation rental platforms from a single interface.
• Organize your messages into a single feed with the Unified Inbox.
• Increase the likelihood of receiving positive reviews by automating the process with Airbnb Automation.
• Handle direct bookings efficiently with the Direct Booking Management Toolset.
• Manage financial transactions and invoicing through Stripe integration with Payment Processing.