How to Become an Airbnb Cleaner in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

Updated October 2026

Short answer: you don't need a license or a degree to become an Airbnb cleaner. You need reliable transportation, a good set of supplies, a turnover checklist you follow every time, and a way to find hosts. Most cleaners start with one or two properties, build reviews, and grow from there. This guide walks through each step, with Florida pay estimates and a full turnover checklist.

Contents

• What an Airbnb cleaner does
• Requirements and skills
• How to become an Airbnb cleaner in 7 steps
• How much Airbnb cleaners make in Florida
• The Airbnb turnover checklist
• Common mistakes new Airbnb cleaners make
• Tips for cleaning Airbnbs in Florida
• FAQ

‍

What an Airbnb cleaner does

An Airbnb cleaner gets a short-term rental ready between guests. This is called a turnover, and it usually has to happen between an 11am checkout and a 3pm or 4pm check-in. A turnover includes:

• Stripping beds, washing linens and towels, and making beds hotel-style
• Cleaning and sanitizing the kitchen and bathrooms
• Dusting, vacuuming and mopping
• Restocking supplies like toilet paper, soap and coffee
• Staging the space the way the listing photos show it
• Reporting damage or missing items to the host, with photos

It's different from regular house cleaning: the deadline is fixed, the standard is hotel-level, and guests leave public reviews. Read more in Airbnb cleaning vs. home cleaning.

‍

Requirements and skills

• No license required. There's no special license for Airbnb cleaning. If you work as an independent business, check your city or county's business tax receipt rules.
• Reliable transportation. You'll carry supplies and sometimes linens between properties.
• A smartphone. Hosts expect quick replies and before-and-after photos.
• A valid ID. Cleaning apps like KwickTurn verify your identity before you take jobs.
• Speed and attention to detail. A missed hair in the shower can cost a host a 5-star review.
• Reliability. Hosts keep the cleaner who always shows up on time.

‍

How to become an Airbnb cleaner in 7 steps

1. Learn the turnover standard. Use the checklist below until it's automatic. Hosts often have their own checklist too; follow theirs first.
2. Build your supply kit. All-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, glass cleaner, degreaser, microfiber cloths, a mop and two buckets (see the two-bucket mopping method), a vacuum, gloves, trash bags and a caddy. Ask each host what they provide.
3. Decide how you'll work. Independent cleaners set their own prices and schedule. Working for a cleaning company pays less per job but gives you steady work while you learn.
4. Set up the business basics. Many independent cleaners in Florida form an LLC through Sunbiz, get an EIN from the IRS, and buy general liability insurance. It isn't required to start, but it protects you and reassures hosts.
5. Set your prices. Turnovers are usually priced per job, based on bedrooms, bathrooms and size. Check what turnovers normally go for in your area with the KwickTurn cleaning cost calculator.
6. Find your first hosts. Join a cleaning app, local host groups and property managers. We cover 7 ways in how to get Airbnb cleaning jobs.
7. Build reviews and grow. Your first five reviews matter most. After that, ask happy hosts for referrals and take on more properties, or team up with other cleaners as backups. On KwickTurn, referring a host to the app also gets you 0% platform fees for up to three months.

‍

How much Airbnb cleaners make in Florida

Airbnb cleaners are usually paid per turnover. Estimates from the KwickTurn calculator for standard turnovers (October 2026):

• 1 bedroom, 1 bath (Miami Beach): $90 to $120
• 2 bedrooms, 2 baths (Tampa): $120 to $160
• 3 bedrooms, 2 baths (Fort Lauderdale): $130 to $170
• 4 bedrooms, 3 baths (Kissimmee): $325 to $375

Example: three two-bedroom turnovers a week at $140 each, minus KwickTurn's 5% fee, is about $400 a week for roughly 9 hours of work. That's an example, not a guarantee; your income depends on your prices, area and how many jobs you take. For comparison, the median wage for maids and housekeeping cleaners in Florida was $15.30 an hour in May 2024 (BLS).

Pricing per job instead of per hour rewards you for getting faster without cutting corners. Luxury and large vacation homes pay more because they take longer and the standard is higher.

‍

The Airbnb turnover checklist

Kitchen

• Wash, dry and put away all dishes; run and empty the dishwasher
• Wipe counters, stovetop, cabinet fronts and appliance handles
• Clean the microwave inside and out; check the fridge and remove guest food
• Empty trash and recycling; replace liners
• Restock dish soap, sponges, coffee and paper towels

Bathrooms

• Scrub and disinfect the toilet, including the base and behind the seat
• Clean the shower, tub, glass and grout; remove all hair from drains
• Clean the sink, counter and mirror streak-free
• Replace towels and bath mat; restock toilet paper, soap and shampoo

Bedrooms

• Strip and remake every bed with fresh linens, even if it looks unused
• Check under beds and in drawers for left items
• Dust nightstands, lamps and headboards

Living areas

• Dust surfaces, wipe remotes, light switches and door handles
• Vacuum sofas and floors; mop hard floors
• Reset furniture and pillows to match the listing photos

Final walkthrough

• Check lights, AC, Wi-Fi and smart lock batteries
• Take before-and-after photos and report any damage to the host
• Lock up and confirm the property is ready

Want a printable version? See our guest-ready cleaning checklist.

‍

Common mistakes new Airbnb cleaners make

• Skipping the linens. Always replace them, even when the bed looks untouched.
• Not checking hidden spots. Under beds, inside the microwave, the shower drain and the fridge are where guests notice dirt.
• Forgetting to restock. A clean home with no toilet paper still gets a bad review.
• No photos. Photos protect you and the host if a guest complains or damages something.
• Poor communication. Tell the host as soon as something is broken, missing or running late.

‍

Tips for cleaning Airbnbs in Florida

• Plan for the busy seasons. Winter months, spring break and holidays bring back-to-back turnovers, especially in Miami, Orlando and the Gulf Coast.
• Watch for sand and humidity. Beach rentals need extra vacuuming, and bathrooms need attention to mildew.
• Large vacation homes. Orlando and Kissimmee have many big homes with pools and game rooms; they pay more and often need two cleaners.
• Promote yourself. A simple Instagram or Facebook page with before-and-after photos helps hosts trust you. Free tools like Canva make it easy to design flyers and posts.

‍

FAQ

Do I need a license to be an Airbnb cleaner?
No special license is needed. If you run your own cleaning business, check your local business tax receipt requirements and consider liability insurance.

How long does an Airbnb turnover take?
Usually 2 to 4 hours for a one- or two-bedroom home, longer for large houses or if laundry is done on site.

Can I clean Airbnbs part-time?
Yes. Most checkouts are around 11am, and you choose which jobs to accept, so many cleaners fit turnovers around another job or family schedule.

Do I bring my own supplies?
It depends on the host. Many provide linens and consumables; you usually bring your own tools and cleaning products. Agree on it before the first job.

‍

Ready to start? Download KwickTurn (also on Google Play), create your Kwickster profile for free, and read how to get your first Airbnb cleaning jobs.