Do you have to clean a rental car?

While you’re not required to deep-clean a rental car, a little effort—like wiping up spills or tossing out trash—can save you from a large fee.

When you rent a car, the last thing you want is to be hit with unexpected charges, but it happens more often than you’d think. Beyond the fines associated with damage or late returns, rental car companies also penalize for how dirty a car is when it’s dropped off. Pet hair, lingering odors, and even mud on the doors all go beyond normal wear, which rental companies must address before the next customer picks up the car.

While you’re not required to deep-clean a rental car, a little effort—like wiping up spills or tossing out trash—can save you from a large fee. Learn more about what typically triggers a cleaning fee, how to avoid one, and what you might pay if you don’t take care of the mess.

What is a cleaning fee?

After rental cars are returned, most companies conduct a basic cleaning that involves vacuuming interiors, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, cleaning windows, and removing trash.

A rental car cleaning fee is a charge added to your final bill for any vehicle that requires cleaning beyond the company’s standard practices.

The main reasons why you may incur a cleaning fee after returning your rental include:

• Pet hair/fur
• Excessive trash
• Strong odors
• Interior damage, such as excessive dirt, stains, tears, or burns
• Exterior damage, such as excessive dirt or bird droppings that a basic wash can’t remove

Car rental agreement and policy

Typically, a car rental agreement includes a cleaning policy dictating that you return the vehicle in reasonably clean condition, similar to how it was when you picked it up. Any significant amount of dirt, debris, food, pet hair, or odor after you return the vehicle is subject to an additional cleaning fee, at the rental company’s discretion. Fees vary according to the rental company and the degree of uncleanliness.

Do you have to clean a rental car?

You’re not obligated to clean a rental car, but if you don’t, you may end up paying a cleaning fee. For example, if your rental’s exterior is caked in mud due to off-roading or wintery conditions, a basic car wash for about $10–20 is a lot better than a $100+ cleaning fee that some rental companies charge.

In most cases, a full-body wash isn’t necessary, but companies do expect you to remove spills, crumbs, and trash, as well as to refrain from smoking inside the vehicle. Odors and damage caused by smoking and vaping incur some of the highest fees that rental companies charge. For example, Hertz charges up to $400, and Budget and Avis charge up to $450* to cover the cost of cleaning vehicles returned with evidence of smoking.

*The above information was sourced from the official rental car companies’ websites in January 2025.

How to keep a rental car clean

Keeping a rental car clean depends on the type of traveler you are and the type of trip you’re taking. That said, there are a few rules of thumb that apply to most situations that can help you keep a car clean:

• Remove trash at every stop along the drive
• Wipe up any spills as soon as they happen
• Refrain from smoking inside or near the vehicle

How to keep a rental car clean on a beach trip

Beach trips are among any summer’s highlights, but even the tidiest person can’t leave all that sand behind. Here’s a few tips for leaving the beach where you found it:

• Use all-weather floor mats and a cargo floor liner in the trunk that collect sand and are easy to wash.
• Lay down a towel or sheet over car seats to catch excess sand and seawater.
• Shake out towels, toys, sandals, and other items before putting them in the car.
• Bring water to rinse off your feet and shoes.
• Bring a portable vacuum to suck up excess sand – don’t forget to check between the seats.
• Wear sandals or flip-flops that can be easily rinsed instead of shoes, which act as sand traps.
• Bring bags to dispose of bottles, food wrappers, napkins, and other trash.
• Use damp cloths to wipe salt and sand from door handles and seats.

How to keep a rental car clean with a pet

Many rental companies acknowledge that pets are part of the family by offering pet-friendly rentals. Certain companies, such as Enterprise, require all pets to be kept in crates while traveling in a rental car. Others, like Hertz, are more lenient, but the same charges apply if damage occurs or excessive cleaning is required.

When traveling with a pet, there are some key steps to keeping your rental car free of hair and dirt:

• Groom your pet before traveling to remove dander and excess hair.
• Use a seat cover or blanket to protect the seats.
• Keep your pet clean and dry.
• Pick a designated spot in the car to confine hair to one area.
• Use a lint roller to remove loose hair from seats and floor mats.
• Vacuum the car as often as possible.
• Consider a crate for smaller pets, which will both contain any mess and keep your pet safe.

What not to clean in a rental car

How clean does a rental car need to be? Rental companies are generally worried about the bigger messes—excessive spills, pet hair, or damage to the interior—and take care of the cosmetic cleaning themselves.

Refrain from deep-cleaning the car’s interior. Strong or specialized cleaning products and excessive scrubbing can do more harm than good.

Detailing, such as polishing the dashboard or waxing the exterior, isn’t necessary.

Don’t worry about minor scratches either – rental companies expect some wear and tear, and advise against trying to fix them yourself.

What to do before returning your rental car

Check the terms of your rental contract. Some rental companies expect you to return your vehicle with a full tank, while others aren’t as strict. Do a basic sweep of the car and remove any trash and personal belongings.

Don’t forget to inspect the car and take photos to document its condition. This evidence can come in handy if you need to dispute an unwarranted cleaning fee.