Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Returning Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 10:21:52 AM

Can I deduct washing machine / dryer wear and tear used to clean guest's sheets, towels, etc? If so how is this expensed?

Can I deduct wear and tear on my washer and dryer as it is used to clean sheets, towels, etc after guests check out of my Airbnb guest suite? Also can I deduct a portion of my water and electric bill? Guests have their own private bedroom and bathroom -- no shared space with me. I reside in the rest of the house.


0 9 5532
1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:21:54 AM

Rule of thumb I have used for years is a cost of $5 per load for washing/drying/soap that you can use as an expense. This represents the cost of going to a laundrymat in lieu of trying to take the expense any other way.... and this method has stood up to IRS audits.   If you buy cleaning products that you only use on the guest's things then those are a direct expense. 

9 Replies
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:21:53 AM
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:21:54 AM

Rule of thumb I have used for years is a cost of $5 per load for washing/drying/soap that you can use as an expense. This represents the cost of going to a laundrymat in lieu of trying to take the expense any other way.... and this method has stood up to IRS audits.   If you buy cleaning products that you only use on the guest's things then those are a direct expense. 

Returning Member
Jun 3, 2019 10:21:56 AM

I like it! One follow up question: How is this expensed in TurboTax? As "supplies" maybe?

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:21:57 AM

Either supplies or services. But since we're talking about the use of physical product (soap) I'd expense it as a supply

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:21:59 AM
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:22:02 AM

Supplies would work or in the  "make your own category" I usually call "cleaning" but anything reasonable works.

Returning Member
Jun 3, 2019 10:22:04 AM

What about for water and power used by guests in their room during their stay? How do you quantify that and under what -- supplies?

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:22:06 AM

Unless you have separate meters, it is hard to quantify. You can try prorating (for example) by square feet and number of days. Example:
20% of the home's square footage is rented out for 10 days a month. The total monthly utility bill for the entire home is $400.
20% x 10/30 x $400 = $26.67 per month.

Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 10:22:07 AM

Water and power are classified as Utilities.