Home-sharing company Airbnb is making its ‘Enhanced Clean’ standards compulsory for all hosts. Starting November 20, 2020, all AirBnB hosts are required to implement the newly imposed safety guidelines and cleaning procedures or risk being removed from the AirBnB platform.

The new cleaning guidelines are now mandatory in order to boost traveler confidence and help address traveler safety concerns.

The enhanced Airbnb cleaning standards were developed with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and cover a ‘five-step cleaning process.’

The 5-step cleaning process is a set of cleaning practices that all hosts are required to follow between guest stays, in addition to their local laws and guidelines. The process is based on Airbnb’s cleaning handbook, which was developed in partnership with experts in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Step 1: Prepare

Proper preparation can help you and your team clean more efficiently and more safely. Make sure to:

• Ventilate the space before and during cleaning, when possible
• Use disinfectants approved by your local regulatory agencies for use against COVID-19
• Always read the directions and warnings on your cleaning products carefully
• Wash or disinfect your hands, and wear a mask and gloves while cleaning

Step 2: Clean


Cleaning is when you remove dust and dirt from surfaces, such as floors and countertops. Make sure to:

• Sweep, vacuum, dust, and/or mop areas before sanitizing
• Wash all dishes and laundry at the highest heat setting possible
• Wipe down hard surfaces with soap and water

Step 3: Sanitize


Sanitizing is when you use chemicals to reduce the number of bacteria on surfaces such as doorknobs and TV remotes. Make sure to:

• Spray high-touch surfaces in each room with an approved disinfectant spray
• Let the disinfectant stand for the length of time specified on the product label 
• Allow the surface to air-dry

Step 4: Check


Make sure to:

• Refer to the best practices in each room-by-room checklist to make sure that all areas are cleaned and sanitized between each stay
• Share these requirements with your hosting team and cleaning professionals

Step 5: Reset


To help prevent cross-contamination, it’s important to finish cleaning and sanitizing a room before replacing items for the next guest. Make sure to:

• Wash your hands and replace gloves before replacing guest supplies, linens, and cleaning kits
• Safely dispose of or wash cleaning supplies and protective gear
• Don’t re-enter a room once it’s been sanitized
• Empty and/or clean your equipment (ex: vacuum, microfiber cloths) between each turnover

Committing to the cleaning process is required for all listings

Hosts who do not commit to the new requirements ‘may be unable to accept new reservations, have their listings suspended, or be removed from Airbnb.’

According to the AP, nearly 1.5 million hosts have already committed to the enhanced cleaning standards, which were first launched in the summer.

Guests can now filter their search only for properties which have an ‘Enhanced Clean’ designation.

The requirement is for all hosts globally except for China which has its own cleaning program.