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Marketplace / Autopilot Cleanings

Learn how to source, automate, and pay for your property cleans with Marketplace

Written by Pierre-Camille Hamana

What Are Marketplace Cleanings?

Autopilot Cleanings work similarly to our legacy Task Rules, in that our system automatically creates cleaning tasks as new bookings are received.

The difference is, autopilot / marketplace cleanings are turnovers handled end-to-end by Hospitable. We find a vetted local cleaner through Cleanster - our partner's network of cleaners - and schedule the job, show you the updates inside Hospitable, and pay them from your Marketplace balance once the clean is complete.

Learn more about marketplace balance here: Managing Your Marketplace Balance and Top-Ups

Marketplace balance and top-ups are available for US properties only and are not available on the Legacy plan.


How Marketplace Cleans Work

There are two ways to use Marketplace cleanings, depending on whether you want them to run automatically or to book them as you need them.

Option 1: Autopilot Cleaning (automatic)

  1. Go to Operations → Task rule → +Add New → Cleaning → Autopilot cleaning.

  2. For each future reservation, an after-checkout cleaning task is created automatically.

  3. Cleansters in your area are matched to the job.

Option 2: Ad-Hoc Cleaning (on demand)

  1. Go to Operations → Task Calendar → +New → Cleaning -> add start/end time -> Find a cleaner for me.

  2. Select Find a cleaner for me.

  3. Cleansters in your area are matched immediately.

For both options, the task includes details like:

  • Checklist

  • Property access instructions

  • Estimated hours and cost

You’ll be notified when the cleaner is on their way (via Inbox), and once the cleaning is done, the task is marked complete with photos and checklists provided.

Key Features

  • Smart Locks: If your property has a smart lock, a unique access code is generated for each task (if enabled).

  • Checklists: Cleaners complete a step-by-step checklist and can upload photos.

  • Messaging: You and your cleaner can communicate directly inside the task modal.


Cleaner Preference

At the moment, you can not pick a specific cleaner for autopilot cleans. When you book a Marketplace cleaning (Autopilot or ad-hoc), Cleanster's matching system assigns the best available cleaner in your area based on:

  • Distance to the property

  • Availability for the requested time window

  • Past performance on similar jobs

  • Whether you've previously favorited or rejected them

💡 Cleanster doesn't have cleaners in every area. In low-coverage areas you may only ever be matched with one or two cleaners, and occasionally none, if there is no availability for your requested time.

You can shape your future matches by:

  • Favorite a cleaner after a job. Favorited Cleansters are prioritized for future jobs at that property.

  • Rate, tip, and review after each task. This feeds back into who you're matched with next.

What if I am not happy with the cleaner?

If you aren't happy with the cleaner assigned to your task, you can contact Cleanster's support line directly and ask for a different cleaner. Contact details for Cleanster's support line are in the task confirmation email that you received from us.


How Payment Works for Marketplace Cleanings

Marketplace cleanings use a prepaid balance so cleaners are paid on time and cleanings aren't missed due to insufficient funds.

When you create your first autopilot cleaning task, you'll see the cost per clean and the required prepayment. You then prepay 2× the cost per clean — these funds cover your next two cleanings. Your balance is designed to always stay one clean ahead.

Screenshot of the cost details page for an autopilot cleaning

After a cleaning is completed:

  • The full cleaning cost is deducted from your prepaid balance and paid to the cleaner.

  • Your saved payment method is automatically charged to restore your balance to 2× the cleaning cost. Note that funds may take up to 2 days to appear in your balance.

Example:

  • Starting balance: $195.00

  • After your cleaning is completed: $97.50 deducted

  • Automatic top-up charge: $97.50

  • Balance returns to $195.00

Automatic top-ups occur after every completed clean. This process repeats after every cleaning to ensure funds are always available.


Where are top-ups pulled from, if I have more than one bank account?

For Autopilot Cleanings, only one payment method is linked to your Marketplace, even if you have multiple bank accounts or cards connected to your account.

Top-ups will always be pulled from, and withdrawals will always be returned to, the bank account set as your Marketplace payment method, not any other connected account. You can check which one is linked under Settings ⚙️ → Payments & Payouts → Marketplace.

For more details on top-up or marketplace balance statuses, see: Managing Your Marketplace Balance and Top-Ups


How do I stop using Marketplace Cleans?

If you want to stop Hospitable from handling payments to teammates or cleaners through the Marketplace, follow these steps:

Step 1: Disable or remove autopilot cleaning task rules

Go to Operations → Task Rules and either delete or deactivate any Autopilot cleaning rules. This prevents new tasks (and new balance top-ups) from being created.

Step 2: Cancel or zero out any pending tasks

Go to Operations → Task Calendar → Upcoming Tasks. For each pending task:

  • Option A: Cancel the task entirely if the cleaning is no longer needed.

  • Option B: Set the payment amount to $0 if you still want the task to trigger but don't want Hospitable to handle the payment (for example, if you pay your cleaners separately via Venmo, Zelle, or cash).

Step 3: Withdraw your marketplace balance

Once all pending task payment amounts are zeroed out or canceled, you will be able to withdraw your balance. To do that:

  1. Go to Settings → Payments & Payouts → Marketplace.

  2. Click the … (three dots) next to your Prepaid Balance.

  3. Select Withdraw.

  4. The funds will be returned to the bank account linked to your marketplace. This typically takes 3–5 business days.

❗ Important: The system reserves funds from your marketplace balance for any task with a payment amount greater than $0. You will not be able to withdraw until all pending task payment amounts are set to $0 or canceled.

What about money already paid out to teammates?

If a payment has already been approved and sent to a teammate, there is no built-in reversal or refund mechanism within Hospitable. You will need to settle any duplicate or unwanted payments directly with the teammate (for example, ask them to return the payment via Venmo, or agree to apply it as credit toward a future task).


Common Issues

🏠 Cleaner Can't Access the Property

  • Always provide clear access instructions when setting up tasks.

  • If no smart lock is connected, access instructions are required.

  • Cleaners can contact you through chat if they run into trouble.

⏱ Cleaning Takes Longer Than Expected

  • You can adjust the task hours during or up to 24 hours after the clean.

  • Cleaners can't extend hours on their own — you must approve any extra time.

  • This ensures you're never charged more without your consent.

❌ Cancellations or Rescheduling

  • Rescheduling: Free at any time, even last-minute.

  • Cancellations:
    - More than 24 hours in advance: no fee.
    - Within 24 hours: $20 fee.
    - Within 2 hours: full cleaning fee.

You can cancel tasks directly in the task detail modal.


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