A professional Airbnb cleaner shares 3 easy ways hosts can boost their reviews

17.09.2023 - 13:49 / insider.com

Looking to land that five-star Airbnb review?

Don't overlook the little details, Diana Cruz, a professional Airbnb cleaner who's spent the last five years deep-cleaning vacation rentals after quitting her desk job, told Insider.

Cruz, 29, said she and her husband have about 10 clients, each with two or three properties — and over the past few years, they've found that keeping a clean home is a sure-fire way to keep guests happy. In a conversation with Insider, she shared three easy tips to help Airbnb hosts boost their ratings.

A representative for Airbnb told Insider that "the overwhelming majority of Hosts on Airbnb provide great travel experiences for guests," adding that "hosts who violate cleaning standards may be subject to warnings, suspensions, and, in some cases, account removal."

Cruz suggested keeping bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the home's bathrooms so guests don't have to worry about bringing their own.

"Some [guests] are like, 'Well, if I'm paying X amount of money to stay in an Airbnb, that's the least they can do for me,'" Cruz explained. 

And when it comes to necessities like toilet paper, it's best to stay stocked up so visitors don't run out mid-way through their stay. She said she always leaves enough toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, soap, and laundry detergent for a guest's entire stay.

"Some may say it's a large investment, but I personally think it's worth it," Cruz said. "Those investments are definitely worth it, and guests appreciate them very much."

Cruz said guests value cleanliness, and one way to ensure that is to hire a thorough cleaning team. 

Cruz told Insider there are some red flags guests should look for when checking into their Airbnbs — some of which could indicate that the place isn't as clean as it should be. That includes dirty or smelly sheets, grimy or dirty showers, and a dusty, messy floor beneath the bed. 

To avoid getting docked for a messy home, Cruz said to splurge on cleaners who will pay attention to the small things. 

"Sometimes the reason it's hard to get good reviews is because [hosts] don't want to pay the full amount of the Airbnb clean," Cruz said. "Making sure that you're paying a fair amount will definitely give you good results with your cleaner."

Cruz told Insider the easiest way to have a quick, thorough clean is to keep a closet filled with linens so that cleaners can quickly make the bed with clean sheets without waiting on the laundry.

"That way we take away everything that is dirty, and you just switch it out with new things," Cruz said.