Last Updated on January 4, 2026 by AutoSlash Staff

Do you need to clean your rental car before returning it? With headlines about rental car companies charging customers hefty cleaning fees, many renters are now wondering whether a few crumbs left on the floor mats will leave them shelling out hundreds of dollars for surprise cleaning charges after returning the vehicle.

The short answer is “no,” you don’t usually have to clean a rental car before returning it. But like most things in life, there are exceptions to the rule. Fees can be triggered when the vehicle requires special cleaning procedures or significant downtime before it can be rented to the next customer.

Here are some answers to the most frequent questions about cleaning rental cars.

Is Cleaning Included in the Car Rental Rate?

Rental car companies clean cars as part of the routine upkeep of their fleet. That means that under most circumstances, renters don’t have to worry much about doing a thorough cleaning of the vehicle before handing it back. You should, however, make an effort to get rid of trash and any other visible debris. That includes food wrappers, takeout trays, coffee cups, receipts and any other items you picked up during your road trip that were not there when you received the car.

When Should Have the Rental Car Cleaned?

If you picked up a rental car for a day of business meetings and just used the car to get from point A to point B, you probably don’t have to spend any time or effort before you return it to the rental lot. However, there are some situations when it can’t hurt to do a bit of tidying before you drop off the car.

Smoke or Vape Odors: Major rental car companies have a strict no-smoking policy. Any evidence of smoke or vaping odors or residue will result in a significant fine, often between $100 and $450. If your rental car smells like smoke, you should consider springing for an interior cleaning and deodorizing before returning it.

Outdoor Activities: If you take a rental car to an outdoor area like a beach or national park, it’s worth vacuuming and gently wiping down the interior to remove any dirt, mud or sand. Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott recently reported that a Budget customer received a $450 cleaning charge for “excessive dirt and sand.” If the car seems dirtier than normal, err on the side of caution and give it a quick clean before dropping it off.

Pet Hair: If you’re bringing your furry friends along with you in a rental car, it’s important to vacuum up any pet hair before returning the vehicle. Like visible dirt or sand, an excessive amount of pet hair can cause a rental company to decide that a car is dirtier than normal.

Spills and Stains: If you spilled food or drinks in the car, it’s worth trying to gently clean the stains before returning the vehicle. However, be sure not to damage the upholstery in any way, as this can trigger damage charges in addition to an extra cleaning fee.

Always inspect the car thoroughly before driving it off the lot, both for cleanliness and any damage inside or outside the car. Having photographic evidence of what the car looked like when you received it can help your case immensely if the rental car company charges you an extra cleaning fee later on.

How Do Cleaning Fees Work?

Rental car companies typically do not charge for extra cleaning unless the car is excessively dirty. These fees can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on how dirty the car is and the rental car brand. “We don’t require customers to sanitize their rental vehicles before returning them; however, we do expect rental cars to be returned in the same clean condition that they were first rented in,” says Enterprise’s website. “If a vehicle requires excessive cleaning or special cleaning products, a cleaning fee will be applied to your overall rental cost.”

Thrifty’s policy notes that renters can pay up to $400 for evidence of smoking, or between $50-250 depending on how long it takes to clean the vehicle and if the company had to take the car out of service. Budget charges up to $450 for extra cleaning, and says it is applicable to “anyone who returns a rental that is dirty or stained.”

Rental car companies typically lay out some basic reasons why they may charge an extra cleaning fee, including:

  • Any strong-smelling odors of smoke or pets
  • Excessive dirt, sand or mud on the inside or outside of the vehicle
  • Any trash left in the vehicle, including food packaging or drink cups
  • Spills or food debris left inside the vehicle

What Can Trigger a Cleaning Charge?

While cleaning the rental car may be a good idea in certain situations, these activities can lead to extra cleaning charges.

Smoking: Don’t smoke or vape in the car whatsoever. Even if you believe you can smoke with the windows down, chances are the rental company will detect the smell. Smoking in a rental car can lead to significant fees and even land you on the dreaded Do-Not-Rent list.

Debris: If there is visible dirt, sand, pet hair or crumbs on the floor mats or seats, vacuum the interior before returning the car. It only takes a few minutes and could save you hundreds of dollars.

Trash: Leaving trash in the car is another reason why the car rental company may levy an extra cleaning charge. Take a moment to throw away any wrappers, plastic bottles, takeout bags or other items before returning the vehicle.

How Can I Dispute a Cleaning Fee?

Rental car customers sometimes report receiving cleaning fees that seem excessive or unnecessary. The good news is that if the rental car company does charge you for an extra fee, you can dispute it. Here’s how:

Review Your Bill: Since rental car companies add cleaning fees onto your bill after the car is returned, it’s important to monitor your credit card statements and email in the weeks after your trip for any signs of extra charges, an updated bill, or a letter from the rental company detailing the extra cleaning charges.

Ask for Proof: If the rental company says you returned a dirty car, consumer advocate Elliott recommends asking for written proof of the charges the company incurred to clean it. It’s also worth asking if the company can show any photos that clearly document the uncleanliness in question.

Document: You can head off a mountain of problems by documenting the state of the car at pickup and return.

Gather Evidence: Before you dispute a cleaning fee with the rental car company, gather all the key information you need. Create a folder on your computer with a copy of the letter documenting the cleaning charge, the final bill, and the original reservation with the estimated charges and dates of when you drove the car. If you took any photos or videos of the car before returning it, you can add those as well. The idea is to create a digital paper trail before calling the rental car company to ensure you have all the information at hand.

Dispute the Charge: If you do receive a notice saying you need to pay an extra cleaning fee, you can dispute the charge. Call the rental company’s customer service line and politely ask them to drop or reduce the fee. Take notes about who you spoke with, the times you called, and the details you discussed with the representative. If the company agrees to lower the fee, be sure to ask for written proof of the adjustment. While it may be tempting to appeal through your credit card company, it’s usually best to ask the rental car company to reduce the charges first.

And remember: If you receive any vehicle that is dirty or smells like smoke from a previous customer, tell the rental car company immediately so you don’t get blamed for someone else’s mess.

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