Nobody gets excited about scrubbing toilets or remaking beds. But for Airbnb hosts, that turnover time between guests is make-or-break. One missed stain or forgotten towel can lead to a bad review, and suddenly their rental income takes a hit.
That’s where you come in.
If you’re detail-oriented, reliable, and don’t mind hustling during peak check-in/check-out times, cleaning and prepping Airbnb properties can be a shockingly profitable gig. The best part? Once you lock in a few good hosts, the work is steady, repeatable, and often leads to word-of-mouth referrals.
What Airbnb Hosts Actually Need (Hint: It’s Not Just Cleaning)
Most hosts aren’t just looking for a cleaner—they need someone who treats their property like their own. A five-star stay starts with you.
What makes you indispensable:
- Military-level timing – You’ve got a 3-5 hour window between guests. Late = disaster.
- Eagle-eye detail work – Stray hairs, water spots, and crumbs get noticed.
- Supply ninja skills – Toilet paper stocked? Coffee pods refilled? Check, check.
- Damage detective – Snap pics of that chipped mug before the next guest blames it on them.
- Photo-finish staging – Fluffed pillows, folded towels just so—make it look like the listing photos.
Real-life example:
Jasmine started cleaning one condo for a host who kept getting dinged in reviews for “dusty shelves.” She added a white-glove dust check to her routine, and his ratings jumped to 5-stars. He referred her to three other hosts within weeks.
Pro move: Send a quick “All set!” text with a photo of the sparkling space. Hosts love proof that everything’s perfect.
The Secret Profit Booster: Laundry Service
Here’s the truth—most hosts hate dealing with sheets and towels. If you can take this off their hands, you can charge 20-30% more per job.
How to dominate the linen game:
- Bring fresh sets – Swap dirty for clean in sealed bags (IKEA bags work great).
- Label everything – “Beach House – King Sheets” avoids mix-ups.
- Bulk wash days – Knock out 3-4 loads between jobs at a laundromat with big machines.
- Scent is money – Use a signature fresh linen spray (hosts will request you for it).
Real-life example:
Carlos charged $75 per clean but added $35 for laundry. He’d pick up linens from 3-4 units in one trip, wash them all at a laundromat, and drop them back the next day. An extra 2 hours of work = $100+ in added income.
From Solo Gig to Full-On Business
Once you’ve got a rhythm, scaling up is easier than you think. You don’t need a fancy app—just systems and maybe a helper or two.
How to grow without losing your mind:
- Property-specific checklists – Bathroom quirks, weird appliance quirks—write it all down.
- Cluster your jobs – Only take units in the same neighborhood on the same day.
- Train a backup – Teach a friend your methods for when you’re overbooked.
- Offer “restock kits” – Buy TP, soap, and coffee pods in bulk, then sell at a markup.
Real-life example:
Mia started with two condos. Within six months, she was managing 12 properties by hiring two part-timers ($15/hr) while charging $80-120 per clean. Her profit? Over $3K/month working 20 hours a week herself.
Why This Works Long-Term
Airbnb isn’t slowing down, and neither is host burnout. The more you prove you’re reliable, the more hosts will:
- Pay you premium rates to keep you from competitors
- Hand you keys to multiple properties
- Refer you to their hosting friends
Bottom line: This isn’t just cleaning—it’s being the invisible backbone of someone’s rental empire. Do it right, and you’ll never chase clients again. They’ll chase you.