@Erin9139
As @Helen3 and @Marie8425 mention, it would help to know how many guests staying for how long. What they made/cooked in the kitchen is also significant. Maybe they used everything, baked and fried, etc. We had a guest once fry a steak in a whole stick of butter on stovetop, splattering everywhere in the space, and then scouring my cast iron comal. Fortunately, good cast iron can be re-seasoned, but her style left quite a mess all up the walls and on every surface. In addition, Holiday meals often leave a stove and oven challenge.
Also relevant is what guests expect: all guests leave their trash and recycling here, even those who know we have no trash service here. We have to load it up and drive it down the mountain to the dump. Many guests leave the kitchen used for us to clean. Different guests have different standards of cleanliness. If you charge them a cleaning fee, they likely expect to be cleaned up after. Also, our guests may have a cleaning service at home, and deep cleaning the kitchen is not something they do. As @Marie8425 said, they are not LTR renters who are cleaning to get their deposit back. A very different situation and a very different mindset.
It is just a part of this business, and every set of guests will be different. I personally would not request additional payment for the clean up. I do hope this is not a regular occurrence. If it is, I'd re-evaluate my cleaning fee. I deep clean everything after every stay, and I've noted that most everyone sees that, and honors my example of sparkle and shine.
