Rider made a mess

We’re here to help when the unexpected happens. If a rider made a mess during a trip that requires extensive or professional cleaning, you can request that the rider pay you a cleaning fee by reporting it right away through the Uber app. We’ll review the details of your report, and if it meets the requirements described below, we may charge the rider a cleaning fee that will be paid directly to you.

Cleaning Fee requests must be submitted within three calendar days of the trip to be considered for coverage.

Keep in mind that claiming fraudulent fees or charges is against our Community Guidelines and may put your account at risk of deactivation. This includes submitting fraudulent receipts or invoices for services that were not actually provided.

If a rider damages your vehicle excessively, beyond a typical mess or normal wear and tear, please let us know in this help page. If you wish to provide feedback about a rider, please visit this help article.

Types of Cleaning

Based on the nature of the mess, you may be eligible to request a cleaning fee from the rider. Depending on the severity of the mess, you may prefer to clean the vehicle yourself or seek out professional services. We offer a policy for each approach, as outlined below.

Self-Cleaning Policy

We offer a self-cleaning option at a lower rate to help you get back on the road quickly without the cost or time commitment of using a professional cleaning service. The maximum cleaning fee allowable for self-cleaning is $80. This policy is generally intended to cover messes that require basic effort and materials. A receipt is not required for self-cleaning requests, but you must submit at least one clear mess photo.

Professional Cleaning Policy

If you use a verified professional cleaning service and provide a receipt that meets the below requirements, you may be eligible to receive a higher cleaning fee than would be provided for self-cleaning. Cleaning fees will be paid based on the factors listed in the cleaning fee amounts further below, and may be equal to or below the amount displayed on your receipt.

Receipt Requirements

If you use professional services, ensure the following requirements are met:

  • Receipt must be dated within 3 days of the trip
  • The name of a verifiable business must be visible
  • Must include an itemized list of services provided and cost
  • Total cost of services must be visible

Please note that screenshots of bank transactions or digital payments (e.g., Venmo, CashApp) transactions will not be accepted. You must provide an actual receipt or invoice for the services rendered in order to be eligible for a cleaning fee payment.

Cleaning Fee Amounts

Cleaning fee amounts are based on the severity of the mess, which will be assessed based on the submitted photos, receipts, and incident details. The maximum cleaning fee is $225.

Below is an overview of the typical fees for types of damage. All amounts are estimates and may vary.

  • Minor Mess: (Spills or messes that require extensive cleaning): $30 – $60
  • Moderate Mess (Larger contained spills or biological messes that require focused cleaning, time, and specialized supplies): $55 – $85
  • Severe Mess (Substantial messes involving large amounts of bodily fluids or difficult-to-clean matter across multiple areas): $80 – $225

Exclusions (What is Not Covered)

The following are not eligible for cleaning fees:

  • Routine cleaning (food wrappers, empty bottles)
  • Unpleasant smells or odors
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Time spent cleaning or time spent not driving due to damage
  • Cleaning supplies purchased for personal use

How to request a Cleaning Fee

To request a cleaning fee, fill out the form at the bottom of this page. You must submit your request within three days of the trip to be eligible for review.

All requests must include the following information:

  1. Describe the Incident: Briefly explain what happened and where the mess is located.
  2. Provide Clear Evidence: Submit at least one clear, well-lit photo of the mess/damage.
  3. Itemized Receipt (if using professional services): For all professional cleaning claims, you must upload a valid, dated, and itemized receipt from the cleaning service.

Cleaning Fee payments are never guaranteed. Uber will review and decide all Cleaning Fee requests, including the amount granted, within Uber’s sole discretion.