Soon You Won’t Have to Do Dishes at an Airbnb (Unless You Really Want To)
The lodging platform is updating its policies around what hosts can require of guests.
Airbnb has recently revised its policy regarding the tasks hosts can ask their guests to complete, aiming to reduce the cleaning fees and requirements. On its website, Airbnb explains that hosts are no longer permitted to request guests to perform tasks requiring significant effort or time, or those typically handled by a professional cleaner, such as stripping the bed, removing trash, or washing and organizing dishes.
The company acknowledges that exceptions may apply in certain situations, like asking guests to reduce water usage due to local drought restrictions or placing trash in a bear-proof container in rural areas.
Many hosts have asked guests to clean the dishes or load them into the dishwasher and run it, along with bagging garbage, recyclables, and placing them outside, as well as removing bed linens, towels, and placing them for the cleaners. Some hosts expressed concerns over the updated policy on Airbnb’s community forum page. René, a Berlin host, complained about the presence of pests after guests left dirty dishes, while San Francisco resident Adam announced he would increase his cleaning fee by 30 to 50%. Michelle from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, argued that the cost burden is now shifted to the hosts.
This change in policy follows Airbnb's previous updates, such as displaying total prices, including all fees (excluding taxes), to prevent hidden costs during the booking process. In April 2025, Airbnb mandated that all listings worldwide must display the total price, including fees, to enhance transparency. Launched in 2008, Airbnb now serves 5.5 million hosts who have hosted 2.5 billion guests across various types of accommodations worldwide.
The platform's competitors include Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, and HomeToGo. Despite the new policy, Snapbar CEO Sam Eitzen, who operates an Airbnb guest house in Washington, acknowledges the challenges of balancing the needs of hosts and guests, stating that the company is "walking a tightrope" to avoid confusion caused by conflicting house rules and app requirements.
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