With over 100,000 properties in Australia alone, AirBnB offers travellers an affordable alternative to renting a hotel room.
At its core, Airbnb is an online rental marketplace that allows hosts to rent out their rooms and properties to guests. Although Airbnb started as a privately operated business, it went public in 2020.
Because Airbnb hosts are bound to keep their rental places clean, the demand for cleaning services is surging. The soaring demand and the solid reputation of vacation rental owners tempt many to become cleaners for Airbnb.
If you're on the same page, this guide enlists a step-by-step process to becoming a specialised Airbnb cleaning business.

What You'll
Learn..
Below you’ll find How to Start an Airbnb Cleaning Service
How to Become a Cleaner for AirBnB?
Before you plan to become an Airbnb cleaning business, ask yourself: Is your health in the right spot to work the often arduous job that home cleaning requires?
Housekeeping does pay well, but it requires constant movement that becomes challenging for those not in good health. So, ensure you have your physical and mental well-being in check before taking over this job.
Once you're prepared, here's how to offer your professional cleaning services to vacation rental owners.
Create a Cleaning Business Plan
An efficient business plan helps map out your goals, define your objectives, and give the right direction to your business. Since these factors significantly affect your success, it is crucial to create a business plan.
However, besides the business name, logo, and supplies, you must consider numerous other factors.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when establishing your business plan.
- Will you provide indoor or outdoor cleaning services?
- Which cleaning equipment and supplies will you use? (chemical-based cleaning products or environmentally friendly options?)
- Will you provide additional services like window and carpet cleaning? (Being more specific about your services boosts the opportunity to get more clients)
Creating a business plan also complements market research.
For instance, you should know the business strategies of other vacation rental owners to market your services more effectively. Highlighting business details within the plan clarifies what you’ll offer, whom you’ll target, and whom you’ll compete with.
Market Yourself
Because you want to do business with a prestigious company with multiple listings globally, you must market yourself properly to stand out among competitors and get hired.
Here are a few evergreen marketing tactics to boost business opportunities.
Google Ads
Google Ads is one of the most popular methods to market yourself online. You can sign up for free. However, pay-per-click requires you to pay money to get enough traffic.
Word of Mouth
Growing your professional network makes sense as it helps connect to more people. You can use your networking skills to reach out to Airbnb hosts and property companies. Referrals and word of mouth play a vital role in marketing your services.
So, make sure you up your networking game to build a reputation and get more referrals.
Website
There isn't a professional cleaning company without a website in today's world. A website is crucial to demonstrate yourself as a professional and authoritative business.
Make sure you build a sleek-looking website and highlight your services. You can also include blogs and leverage search engine optimisation to generate more leads.
Social Media
Over 80% of people in Australia use social media. So, not having active social media handles means missing out on a chance to build authority and grow your cleaning business.
Make sure you create accounts on popular channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Facebook, for instance, has several Airbnb housekeeper groups. You can ask quick situational queries and get answers immediately.
Plus, posting before and after photos of your cleaning process on social media helps gain recognition.
Do Your Homework
Knowing what your competitors are doing and how they are doing helps set standards to accomplish business goals.
Here are a few tips to help you achieve your Airbnb cleaning business goals.
- Reach out to professional cleaning services in your area to determine a quote for your Airbnb listings.
- Check which of your relatives and friends use Airbnb cleaning services. Ask them about the details of the service and how they work. This may include terms and conditions, contracts, and more.
- Find out if anyone in your network runs a cleaning service and deals with Airbnb customers directly. Ask them for advice to start your own cleaning business. However, ensure they do not belong to the same area - after all, no one asks for advice from competitors.
Know Your State Requirements
Each state has different requirements for starting a business. Other states have varying industry standards, insurance, and licensing policies. You must adhere to them to start and keep your business operational.
You must consider the following costs to set an appropriate budget - after all, all businesses need some capital to begin.
- Labour. The national minimum wage in Australia is around $21.38 per hour. Make sure you go through the minimum wage laws before setting up your business.
- License and permits. Registering a business in Australia costs somewhere between $443-$538. However, the precise pricing varies per business type, location, and business activities. You can check out unique requirements for businesses here.
- Insurance. Business insurance costs vary per state. However, expect to pay around $63.53 monthly.
- Cleaning supplies. Investing in quality cleaning supplies is crucial to scale your business. Doing otherwise may harm your reputation. Make sure you check for the costs of top-notch cleaning supplies in your area before starting a business with Airbnb vacation rental owners.
Develop a Right Pricing Strategy
Avoid setting high prices as a starter. It takes time for a new business to build trust and gain customer loyalty.
The key is to research the local market and see what they charge for the quality of work you provide. Ensure you also include laundry detergent and other cleaning supply costs when pricing your services.
Setting competitive pricing helps get your business off the ground.
Contact Airbnb Onwers
Another tactic to make your business successful is to reach out to Airbnb rental owners. Check the listings in your region and contact the owners to inquire about cleaning services.
If the owners do not have an active Airbnb cleaning service, they might consider you.
This also means you must craft your business proposals professionally. Yes, it would require effort on your end, but if you win a chance to meet rental owners in person, you're a step away from getting projects and gaining experience.
Try Other Tactics
One of the best methods to start a cleaning business is to contact your friends and relatives. Know if anyone is an Airbnb host and whether they're willing to consider Airbnb cleaning services.
Alternatively, you can request your friends or family who frequently book Airbnb properties. Ask them to leave your cleaning business card on the table as they check out.
Facilitate Communication
Once you get cleaning projects and gain experience, you need to communicate efficiently with your Airbnb hosts. Once you pick the right medium, ensure to remain consistent.
As a rule of thumb, pick a platform that helps expedite project confirmations. This helps streamline communication and lets you complete the job more effectively.
the Complete Cleaning Business Starter Kit
Get our FREE Comprehensive Start-Up guide, complete with a checklist, business card template, pricing calculator and Invoice template.
Airbnb Cleaning Standards
Airbnb enlists a five-step cleaning process that hosts must follow between guest stays.
Preparing
- Preparation starts by ventilating the space before and after the cleaning process.
- Using disinfectants approved by regulatory agencies against COVID-19
- Washing and disinfecting hands
- Reading warnings and directions on cleaning products to avoid mishaps
Cleaning
- Cleaning begins by removing dust and debris from the surfaces
- A cleaner must sweep or vacuum, followed by mopping
- Cleaners must do dishes and laundry at the highest heat setting
- Cleaning rough surfaces with water and soap
Sanitising
- Use an approved disinfectant to spray all the surfaces around the room
- Let the disinfectant sit for the time specified on the label
- Let surfaces dry on their own
Checking
- Check the best practice checklists of each room to ensure you follow the right directions.
- Share the best practices with Airbnb cleaning services providers (this is for hosts)
Resetting
- Washing hands before replacing guest supplies helps prevent cross-contamination.
- Use protective gloves when tossing away or washing the cleaning supplies
- Avoid re-entering the room after sanitising it (doing otherwise compromises hygiene for guests)
- Clean and disinfect your cleaning equipment after every use
the Complete Cleaning Business Starter Kit
Get our FREE Comprehensive Start-Up guide, complete with a checklist, business card template, pricing calculator and Invoice template.
Note that Airbnb sets these standards for hosts. However, the host will naturally share the guidelines with cleaners since they have to clean the property - not the host.
Make sure you adhere to the best practices to build your reputation and encourage more clients to consider you.
Conclusion
Airbnb creates several business opportunities for rental owners. But, to ensure they grow their business, they'll turn to associated service providers to meet Airbnb standards.
Since hosts don't take up the cleaning tasks themselves, they look for a skilled cleaning team to clean, sanitise, and disinfect their properties for guests.
This guide addressed how to become a cleaner for Airbnb and promote your business. Ensure you check other Airbnb cleaning services to set the right marketing strategy and gain recognition in the competitive industry.

