In the competitive world of short-term rentals, your Airbnb ratings are everything. They influence your visibility, credibility, booking volume and ultimately, your income.
You may have a beautifully decorated space in a prime location, but if it isn’t clean, guests will notice and they’ll say so in their reviews. And when your ratings drop, so does your listing’s performance.
In this article, we’ll break down how cleanliness directly impacts Airbnb ratings, what guests look for, and how to create a consistent cleaning process that protects your reputation and income.
Why cleanliness is the most critical review factor
Airbnb uses six core categories for guest reviews:
- Cleanliness;
- Accuracy;
- Communication;
- Location;
- Check-in;
- Value.
Cleanliness is the most subjective and most harshly judged category.
Even small cleaning oversights can drag your overall Airbnb ratings down from 5 stars to 4.5 or less.
That half-star can make all the difference:
- Airbnb’s search algorithm promotes higher-rated listings;
- Guests are more likely to book listings with flawless cleanliness scores;
- Negative reviews are harder to recover from than missed bookings.
What guests actually complain about (and hosts overlook)
Many hosts clean what’s visible. Guests, on the other hand, notice what isn’t.
Here’s what most often leads to negative Airbnb ratings under the cleanliness category:
Common guest complaints:
- Hair in the shower or on the sheets;
- Smudged mirrors and dirty light switches;
- Dust under beds and on blinds;
- Lingering odors (smoke, food, pets);
- Stains on towels or linens.
Even one of these issues can lead to a “3 out of 5” on cleanliness, no matter how charming the space.
How cleanliness affects Airbnb ratings long-term
Your Airbnb ratings aren’t just about one guest, they accumulate and influence:
- Search rankings within Airbnb;
- Guest trust and booking conversions;
- Your ability to become or remain a Superhost;
- Your flexibility in setting higher nightly rates.
Poor cleanliness ratings are among the top reasons hosts lose Superhost status or get flagged by Airbnb’s quality control.
Build a consistent cleaning routine with a host-focused checklist
To protect your Airbnb ratings, you need a cleaning process that’s:
- Detailed;
- Repeatable;
- Guest-focused;
Here’s an Airbnb cleaning checklist designed to meet guest expectations and prevent negative reviews:
Bedroom
- Replace all linens with freshly laundered sets;
- Vacuum under beds and inside closets;
- Dust all surfaces, including blinds and vents;
- Check for personal belongings left behind.
Bathroom
- Disinfect sink, tub, toilet, and floors;
- Restock toilet paper, soap, and shampoo;
- Polish mirrors and chrome fixtures;
- Remove hair from drains and wipe trash cans.
Kitchen
- Clean all appliances inside and out;
- Sanitize countertops and handles;
- Check and empty the refrigerator;
- Refill coffee/tea stations and ensure cleanliness.
Living area
- Vacuum carpets and mop floors;
- Dust electronics and wipe remotes;
- Arrange furniture neatly;
- Check for odors or stains.
Outdoor spaces
- Sweep porches and patios;
- Clean outdoor furniture;
- Remove trash, leaves, or spider webs.
This type of checklist is exactly what professional turnover teams like Nana’s General Services follow during every visit.
Why hiring a professional cleaner is better for Airbnb ratings
While you might be able to manage cleaning yourself, it becomes risky when:
- You have back-to-back bookings;
- You manage more than one property;
- You live far from your rental;
- You want to maintain Superhost status.
Hiring a professional Airbnb turnover cleaning team like Nana’s ensures:
- 100% consistency;
- Hotel-level sanitation;
- Faster turnovers;
- Zero missed details.
And most importantly: better Airbnb ratings.
The impact of bad cleaning on your bottom line
When cleanliness drops, here’s what can happen:
- A single 3-star cleanliness rating can lower your average;
- Future guests read past reviews and hesitate to book;
- Airbnb may restrict your listing from promotion;
- You’re forced to lower nightly prices to compensate.
Cleanliness is not an expense, it’s an investment in your listing’s success.
Why hosts trust Nana’s General Services with their Airbnb ratings
At Nana’s General Services, we know what it takes to maintain top-tier Airbnb ratings, because we clean with guests in mind, not just aesthetics.
Our advantages:
- Owner-inspected service: we double-check every turnover;
- Guest-ready standards: we follow a detailed checklist tailored to Airbnb;
- 24/7 availability: need a same-day turnaround? We’re ready;
- Experience with high-volume rentals: we know how to clean fast, thoroughly, and reliably;
- Photo verification: we send visual proof after each job.
From short-term rentals in downtown Charleston to beachside homes in Isle of Palms, we’ve helped dozens of hosts maintain flawless cleanliness records.
Want 5-Star Airbnb ratings? Start with 5-Star cleaning
Guests won’t remember your Wi-Fi password, but they’ll remember if the shower was moldy or the sheets smelled funny.
Your Airbnb ratings depend on consistency, attention to detail, and a clean space that feels truly cared for.
With Nana’s General Services, you get a reliable, professional team that helps protect your reputation and your revenue. Whether you’re new to hosting or a seasoned Superhost, we’re here to make sure every guest walks into a space that deserves five stars.