High Airbnb Cleaning Service Fees Are Pushing Guests Back to Hotels in Toronto

The phone call came early one afternoon from a concerned Airbnb host in Markham. "I need excellent service that justifies the price," he said. "I’m not going to keep charging high cleaning fees for a service that doesn’t deliver. My reviews are slipping, and guests are choosing hotels instead." As someone who works with many hosts needing airbnb cleaning and full cleaning services, I recognized this problem immediately. Hosts shouldn’t pay more for less. They deserve a house cleaning service or commercial cleaning company Toronto that delivers value, reliability, and repeat clients—not buyer’s remorse after checkout. Here’s what that host and many others are missing, what good providers do differently, and how you can avoid the pitfalls so rare feedback becomes routine praise.

What Guests See When Cleaning Fees Climb Too High

Guests today are savvy. In Bloor West Village, Scarborough, or North York, hosts who list great photos but then load on a $100‑200 cleaning fee risk losing trust. From complaints about greasy stovetops to dusty vents, missed stains, or linens that smell like detergent instead of freshness—these are the details guests pay attention to. If your listing is built around the perception of luxury, but your cleaning services are basic, the disconnect is obvious—and guests will choose hotels that offer daily housekeeping or rentals with transparent, inclusive pricing.

What “Proper Cleaning Services” Actually Mean for Airbnb Hosts + What to Expect from a Commercial Cleaning Service

Full Turnover Checklist: Deep Clean, Sanitize, & Detail

A full airbnb cleaning means much more than vacuuming and wiping counters. At minimum: deep cleaning of bathrooms and kitchens; sanitizing high‑touch surfaces; carpet cleaning where applicable; changing linens thoroughly; cleaning behind furniture; high dusting up top; disinfecting remote controls, light switches. Guests expect nothing less. When you engage a commercial cleaning service Toronto or a reputable cleaning company Toronto, make sure their checklist includes all these. Don’t settle for a provider that skips crucial disinfection or overlooks details like grout lines or ventilation system cleanliness.

Transparent Pricing, Bundled Maid Services & Added Value

Hosts in Etobicoke, Mississauga, Markham, etc., who bundle in restocking toiletries, laundry, maid service Toronto, and small extras often get fewer complaints even if their fee is higher. If you charge separately for every detail, guests feel nickel‑and‑dimed. A cleaning company Toronto or GTA provider that offers a clear checklist (deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, maybe power/pressure washing or floor care if needed) and includes what others charge extra for often ends up delivering more perceived value.

Mistakes Airbnb Hosts Make — What You Should Avoid

Here are pitfalls I’ve seen when working with hosts:

• Low‑balling the turnover clean to save cost, then rushing through.

• Using a house cleaning service only occasionally, not a consistent professional cleaning services schedule.

• Neglecting property maintenance tasks: carpets never steam cleaned, floors never stripped or waxed, balconies or patios dirty.

• Failing to manage guest expectations: listing says “professional clean” but photos or reviews say otherwise.

These gaps hurt reviews, force refunds or discounts, and over time, make the “cleaning fee” reason for pinged ratings and lost bookings.

How Smart Hosts Adjusted & Gained More Bookings by Upgrading Their Cleaning Company Toronto + Paid‑Off Property Maintenance

I helped one host in The Junction who was facing 3‑star reviews because of dirty corners and stained linens. We contracted a commercial cleaning company Toronto that did deep cleaning every week, swapped to carpets with easier care, used top linens, added housekeeping services Toronto in between stays, and changed to inclusive pricing (nightly fee + fewer add‑ons). We also introduced property maintenance services: regular plaza parking lot sweeping, power washing of building finishes, and periodic floor stripping & waxing service to keep floors looking new. The result? Guests stopped grumbling, the “hotel alternative” stopped coming up, and occupancy climbed. Sometimes softness in the pricing structure matters more than the raw number.

A personal note from the field

The truth is, guests will tolerate higher prices when they see details: a fresh scent, no dust behind lamps, crisp linens, shampoo in the shower, clean grout, no mildew smell. For Airbnb hosts in Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, or any GTA city, the aim shouldn’t be “cheapest cleaning fee” but “right cleaning value.” Align your services—deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, high dusting, restocking—with what guests notice and care about. Prices may be rising, but your standards can rise, too—and when they do, guests stay, reviews shine, and hotels stop looking so appealing.

How Shiny Maple Can Help in the GTA

We at Shiny Maple specialize in turning cleaning complaints into 5‑star reviews. As a cleaning company Toronto / GTA, we provide full‑service airbnb cleaning, detailed house cleaning service, thorough deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, floor stripping & waxing service when needed, and property maintenance services like power washing or parking lot sweeping when your guests notice the outer looks matter too. Whether you’re hosting in Don Mills, Bayview Village, Maple, Erin Mills, or anywhere in the GTA, we build inclusive checklists, trained teams, transparency in pricing (no surprise fees), and quality control so you don’t just promise clean—you deliver it.

Key Takeaways

• Hosts charging high airbnb cleaning fees without delivering full house cleaning service or commercial cleaning service value are losing bookings and damaging guest trust.

• A trusted cleaning company Toronto that offers comprehensive services (deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, restocking, high dusting, property maintenance) can more than justify its cost by improving reviews, reducing cancellations, and increasing bookings.

Frequently asked questions

How much should an Airbnb cleaning service in Toronto cost if I want to keep bookings strong?

For a standard 1‑bedroom condo, airbnb cleaning will generally cost between CAD $80 and $150 per turnover including basics like linens and restocking. Add deeper services (carpet cleaning, high dusting, or frequent cleanings) and the range climbs with property size, location (Downtown Toronto, Scarborough, etc.), and last‑minute requests.

Can a regular house cleaning service or maid service Toronto match the expectations of commercial cleaning?

Usually not without additional effort. Regular house cleaning or maid service is great for upkeep, but often skip or under‑deliver on things like deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, high dusting, disinfecting, and full turnover tasks. A full cleaning company Toronto or commercial cleaning service can offer those extras reliably.

What should I ask a cleaning company before hiring them for my Airbnb or short‑term rental?

Ask for their checklist (deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, sanitization of bathrooms/kitchen, laundry/restocking), what tools/products they use, pricing transparency (are linens and restocking included or extra), whether they have experience in your specific neighborhood (like Liberty Village, Etobicoke, Maple, etc.), and how they handle quality control between turnovers.