Why Airbnb Guests Leave Bad Reviews About Cleanliness — and How to Prevent Them

Running a successful short-term rental means more than just great photos. Cleanliness is one of the top reasons guests leave bad reviews — and according to Airbnb’s Help Center, it’s a core part of your overall rating. A few missed details can cost you 5 stars (Airbnb, n.d.).

The 5 Most Common Cleaning Complaints

Based on insights from Airbnb, Hostaway, and Lodgify, these are the top reasons guests mention cleanliness in negative reviews:

1. Dirty Bathrooms – Stains, soap scum, or hair left behind are a major turn-off (Lodgify, 2023).

2. Unwashed Bedding & Towels – Guests expect hotel-level standards, and anything less feels unhygienic (Hostaway, 2022).

3. Dust & Stray Hairs – Often missed in corners, under furniture, or on surfaces (Guesty, 2021).

4. Leftover Trash – Full bins or no liners make the whole space feel neglected (Lodgify, 2023).

5. Missed Small Details – Smudged mirrors, streaky faucets, crumbs in drawers, or sticky kitchenware leave a lasting impression (Hostaway, 2022).

   
   

How Hosts Can Prevent Bad Reviews

• Fresh Sheets & Towels: Replace them before every new booking. For stays longer than 3 days, consider offering guests a mid-stay refresh.

• Deep Bathroom Cleaning: Scrub sinks, tubs, and toilets thoroughly — guests notice right away.

• Check Hidden Spots: Look under beds, behind appliances, and inside cupboards.

• Empty All Bins: Always add liners for a professional touch.

• Polish the Details: Shine faucets, mirrors, and glass surfaces for that hotel-quality feel.

  
  

  

What Niagara Scrubbers Does Differently

At Niagara Scrubbers, we understand that reviews make or break your Airbnb. That’s why our cleaners are trained to focus on these “review-killing details.” Our Airbnb turnover service includes:

• Full reset of beds and towels (with recommendations for mid-stay refreshes on bookings over 3 days)

• Bathroom deep-cleaning that leaves no streaks or stains

• Dust and hair checks in hard-to-reach areas

• Trash removal with fresh liners in every bin

• Detail-oriented polishing of mirrors, faucets, and glass surfaces

✨ And here’s our promise: If a guest ever complains about cleanliness, we offer a Satisfaction Guarantee — we’ll come back and redo the clean at no extra charge.

With Niagara Scrubbers on your team, you can focus on bookings while we handle the details that protect your 5-star rating.

📞 833-430-0001 | 365-855-6232🌐 www.niagarascrubbers.com

References:

Airbnb. (n.d.). How do star ratings work for guests and hosts? Airbnb Help Center. Retrieved August 17, 2025, from https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/1257/how-do-star-ratings-work-for-guests-and-hosts

Guesty. (2021, November 2). How to improve guest satisfaction in short-term rentals. Guesty Blog. Retrieved August 17, 2025, from https://www.guesty.com/blog/guest-satisfaction-short-term-rentals

Hostaway. (2022, September 14). Top reasons why guests leave bad reviews for vacation rentals. Hostaway Blog. Retrieved August 17, 2025, from https://www.hostaway.com/blog/reasons-bad-reviews-airbnb

Lodgify. (2023, June 8). The most common Airbnb complaints from guests (and how to avoid them). Lodgify Blog. Retrieved August 17, 2025, from https://www.lodgify.com/blog/airbnb-guest-complaints