Turnover Truths: What London Hosts Really Pay for Airbnb Cleaning (2025 Edition)

Because even the loveliest London flat looks a little lack‑lustre after three back‑to‑back check‑outs.

Let’s Talk Dirty (Laundry)

It’s 10 a.m. in Shoreditch. Your outgoing guests have just messaged, “Thanks for a great stay!”… and left behind half a croissant in the toaster, wet towels on the sofa, and an encore performance from the fitted sheet. You could race across town, rubber gloves in hand. Or you could outsource the turnover and keep your sanity (and star rating) intact.

But how much should that actually cost in London, where a flat white can set you back a fiver? Below is the real‑world pricing landscape for 2025, compiled from seven reputable short‑let cleaning specialists. Use it as a guide, not gospel, and remember every quote hinges on timing, linen, and a dash of London logistics.

London’s 2025 Price Bands at a Glance (No Fancy Charts Required)

Here’s the ballpark you’re working with:

Studio / 1‑bed – Expect £20–£25 per hour (roughly £50–£65 per visit). Need fresh, hotel‑pressed linen? Add about £15, nudging the hourly rate to £40–£45.
Two‑bed – Budget £23–£28 per hour (around £60–£85 per visit). Linen service generally adds £20, bringing the figure to £42–£48 per hour.
Three‑bed – Think £25–£30 per hour (approximately £75–£120 per visit). Linen tends to tack on £25, so hourly works out to £45–£50.

Typical durations: 2 h for a studio, 2.5–3 h for a two‑bed, and 3–3.5 h for a three‑bed.

All figures reflect quotes gathered in May 2025 for properties inside Zones 1‑4. Treat these as ballpark guides, not binding contracts.

Why One Host Pays £55 and Another £85 for the Same Flat

Zone & Parking Costs – Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and permit‑free streets can add £5–£12 per visit.
Linen Logistics – Supplying, washing, and pressing sheets adds roughly 30 % to a basic clean.
Turn‑around Window – A four‑hour “checkout‑to‑check‑in” squeeze often carries a 10–20 % rush premium.
Guest Extras – Toiletry top‑ups, welcome hampers, or photographic reports typically tack on £5–£25.
Deep‑Clean Cadence – Skip quarterly descaling or oven refreshes and your next “standard” clean morphs into an expensive rescue mission.

(In short: location, linen, and lifestyle perks drive the biggest jumps.)

Five Ways to Keep the Fee Sensible Without Micromanaging

Book mid‑week slots. Tuesday and Wednesday turnarounds are quieter than Saturday scrambles and can shave a few pounds off the bill.
Provide your own eco‑detergents and bin‑liners. Less product overhead means fewer add‑ons.
Create a photo checklist. A quick gallery on Google Drive shows the ‘after’ setup you expect—no cushion conundrums, faster exits.
Schedule a quarterly deep‑clean. Limescale waits for no host. Staying ahead keeps routine visits short—and cheaper.
Sync your calendars. Tools like Turno or Hospitable auto‑notify cleaners the moment a booking drops, avoiding “emergency call‑out” surcharges.

That’s another hour back for a gentle wander down Broadway Market (flat white optional).

When It’s Worth Paying the Premium

The £20 you save by skipping linen can evaporate the moment a guest complains of “musty bedding”. Pay extra when:

You promise same‑day turnovers. Speed demands manpower.
Your review score drives occupancy. Five stars cost less than vacancy.
You manage remotely. Peace of mind seldom comes via rail replacement bus.

Quick‑Fire FAQ

Do guests see my cleaning fee? Yes, Airbnb itemises it at checkout, so keep it defensible.

Can I claim VAT back? Only if both you and your provider are VAT‑registered.

Is laundry mandatory? Technically no; practically yes, fresh linen is the first thing guests notice.

Peace of Mind in Pin‑Money Terms

Studio to three‑bed flats in London cost £50–£120 per turnover. Trim the fat with good scheduling, but don’t skimp on linen or timing if your mortgage depends on glowing reviews.

Where Get Set Clean Fits In

Get Set Clean lives right in the sweet spot at £23 per hour for holiday‑let cleans weekday rate, with a modest surcharge on Sundays and bank holidays and no other hidden extras, and linen or consumables priced à la carte. In other words: professional polish without the premium bundle.

Ready to trade duvet‑wrestling for brunch? Book a trial turnover with Get Set Clean and let your next set of guests walk into a five‑star welcome.