Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees Tax Deductible? Yes — Here's Exactly How to Claim Them
Short answer: yes, cleaning fees are 100% deductible as a business expense for short-term rental hosts. This includes the turnover cleaning you charge guests for, the deep cleans between seasons, the laundry service, and every bottle of cleaning spray under your kitchen sink. Here's where to report them, what qualifies, and the 1099 rules you need to know if you're paying a cleaner.
Why Cleaning Fees Are Fully Deductible
Cleaning is an ordinary and necessary business expense for anyone operating a short-term rental — the IRS's two-part test for deductibility. You can't run an Airbnb without cleaning between guests. That makes every dollar you spend on cleaning — whether you hire it out or do it yourself — a legitimate business deduction.
This applies regardless of the platform you use. Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, direct bookings — it doesn't matter. If you're operating the rental as a business and filing Schedule C, cleaning costs reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. For a full rundown of every deduction available to hosts, see our complete Airbnb tax deductions guide.
If you spend $7,500/year on cleaning (say, $150 per turnover × 50 turnovers) and you're in the 24% tax bracket plus 15.3% self-employment tax, that cleaning deduction saves you roughly $2,700–$2,950 in taxes. Cleaning is often the single largest operating expense for active STR hosts — make sure every dollar is tracked.
Where to Deduct Cleaning on Schedule C
This is where hosts (and even some CPAs) get tripped up. There's no dedicated "cleaning" line on Schedule C, so your cleaning costs can land in a few places depending on how you structure things:
Hired Cleaning Services
Schedule C, Line 11 or Line 27aIf you pay an independent contractor to clean your property, the cost goes on Line 11 (Contract labor) or Line 27a (Other expenses). Either is acceptable — just be consistent year to year. Most CPAs prefer Line 11 for cleaning contractors since it clearly signals contract labor to the IRS.
Cleaning Supplies (DIY)
Schedule C, Line 22If you clean the property yourself, you can't deduct your own labor — but every cleaning product and supply you buy is deductible on Line 22 (Supplies). This also includes equipment like vacuums, mops, and steam cleaners.
Laundry & Linen Services
Schedule C, Line 27aProfessional laundry services, linen rental programs, and wash-and-fold services are reported on Line 27a (Other expenses). Label them clearly as "Laundry services" or "Linen cleaning" on the attached statement.
What Counts as a Deductible Cleaning Expense
Hosts often think "cleaning deduction" means just the turnover clean. It's much broader than that. Here's what qualifies:
Turnover & Routine Cleaning
- Between-guest turnover cleaning (the big one)
- Deep cleaning between seasons or after long stays
- Carpet and upholstery cleaning
- Window washing
- Pressure washing (decks, patios, driveways)
Laundry & Linen Costs
- Laundry service or wash-and-fold
- Linen rental programs
- Laundromat costs (if you don't have in-unit laundry)
- Replacement linens, towels, and bedding (these go on Line 22 as supplies)
Cleaning Supplies & Equipment
- All-purpose cleaners, disinfectants, glass cleaner
- Detergent, dryer sheets, stain removers
- Paper towels, trash bags, sponges, microfiber cloths
- Vacuum cleaner, mop, broom, steam cleaner
- Toilet bowl cleaner, bathroom disinfectant
- Rubber gloves, cleaning buckets, spray bottles
Don't overlook the mileage to and from your property for cleaning. If you drive 20 miles round trip to clean your STR, that's $14.50 per trip at the 2026 rate of $0.725/mile. Do that 50 times a year and you've got an additional $725 in mileage deductions on top of your cleaning costs. See our complete mileage deduction guide for more.
Hiring a Cleaner: The 1099-NEC Rules
If you pay an independent contractor (not a W-2 employee) $600 or more in a calendar year, you're required to file a 1099-NEC with the IRS and provide a copy to the cleaner. This is not optional — there are penalties for failing to file.
Here's what you need to do:
- Collect a W-9 from your cleaner before you pay them. This gives you their legal name, address, and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
- Track every payment you make to them throughout the year.
- File Form 1099-NEC by January 31 of the following year if total payments hit $600+.
- Send a copy to the cleaner by the same January 31 deadline.
The $600 threshold applies per person, per year. If you pay one cleaner $500 and another $700, you only need to file a 1099-NEC for the second cleaner. But even if a cleaner falls under the $600 threshold, the expense is still fully deductible — you just don't need to file the 1099 form. If you pay a cleaning company (a corporation or LLC taxed as a corporation), you generally do not need to issue a 1099-NEC.
Need a W-9 from your cleaner? The form is free on irs.gov. Get it signed before the first payment — chasing it down in January is no fun.
Cleaning Service vs. DIY: Different Deduction Approaches
Both approaches are fully deductible, but they hit your tax return differently:
| Approach | What You Deduct | Schedule C Line |
|---|---|---|
| Hired cleaner (contractor) | Full amount paid | Line 11 or 27a |
| Cleaning company | Full amount paid | Line 11 or 27a |
| DIY cleaning | Supplies & equipment only | Line 22 |
| Laundry service | Full amount paid | Line 27a |
| W-2 cleaning employee | Wages paid | Line 26 |
One approach worth considering: hiring your kids to handle cleaning and turnover tasks. If you're a sole proprietor and your children are under 18, their wages are exempt from FICA taxes — a legitimate strategy that shifts income to a lower tax bracket while keeping the deduction on your Schedule C.
How to Track Cleaning Expenses for Tax Time
The IRS won't accept "I spent a lot on cleaning" as documentation. You need records. Here's the system that works:
1. Use a dedicated payment method. Pay for all cleaning expenses (supplies, contractors, laundry) with a single business credit card or bank account. This creates one clean transaction trail.
2. Save every receipt. Photograph receipts the day you get them. A $12 bottle of cleaning spray is deductible — but only if you can prove it. Those small purchases add up to hundreds of dollars per year.
3. Track payments to cleaners by person. You need to know exactly how much you paid each individual cleaner to determine 1099-NEC obligations. A spreadsheet works, but a purpose-built tool is better.
4. Categorize as you go. Don't dump everything into a generic "cleaning" bucket. Separate your contractor payments, supplies, and laundry costs — they go on different Schedule C lines, and your CPA will thank you. Poor categorization is one of the common mistakes that trigger IRS audits for STR hosts.
For the complete picture of every STR deduction you should be tracking (not just cleaning), see our 2026 STR tax deductions checklist. And if you want the full breakdown of Airbnb-specific write-offs, our complete Airbnb tax deductions guide covers everything from platform fees to depreciation.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules vary based on your specific situation, filing status, entity structure, and jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified CPA or tax professional for guidance on your specific tax situation. IRS rules and thresholds are subject to change — verify current requirements at irs.gov before filing.