Airbnb Laundry Do’s
and Don'ts – The Ultimate Guide
25th August 2022
Short-Lets
For both parties, the cleanliness of an Airbnb is of paramount importance. A loose hair here, a sneaky crumb there, or a dust bunny behind the sofa can impede your Airbnb's overall appearance and rating. Airbnb hosts must focus on cleanliness to avoid the dreaded three, two, or even one-star review. Getting a positive rating on your Airbnb can massively impact your rankings and social proof, in which 75% of guests check the reviews of a location before booking any accommodation. For guests that conduct the proverbial white glove test on arrival, a dirty abode will seriously impede their comfort.
General cleanliness is one thing, but it's a different matter when it comes to sheets and towels. If they are not washed to a hotel standard, your guests might be logging on to Booking.com quicker than you could fold a towel. We have it on good authority that laundry is the bane of an Airbnb host's existence. Changeover from previous to new guests and high cleanliness standards are a match made in hell, especially when precious reviews are on the line.
Extra brownie points are also available for those Airbnb hosts considering their guests' personal laundry needs. Depending on the length of stay, guests will likely want to wash the clothes that they have brought. Providing a top-quality laundry service or an on-site washing machine could go a long way.
Some of the most commonly asked questions from hosts and guests are about laundry:
What is the best bedding?
Should I provide spare sheets?
Can I use the washer/dryer?
Should I bring my extra sheets?
Who knew laundry could be such a stressful and confusing subject?
So with travel starting to open up again, we thought we would do everyone a favour and create a definitive guide to laundry for Airbnb hosts and guests from the experts here at Oxwash.
For Hosts
Should I provide a laundry service for my Airbnb guests?
If you want to hit consistent 5-star reviews with gleaming comments, providing a high-quality laundry service is the way to do it. The level of commitment, attention to detail, and care make any Airbnb guest weak at the knees. But you don't want to be doing all that washing yourself, do you?
That's when you enlist the help of a dedicated laundry service for your guest's convenience, and who better to recruit than us, Oxwash. We provide an award-winning laundry service for short-lets and Airbnbs, using certified microbial disinfection to uphold world-class washing standards.
We offer bespoke scheduling, rapid turnarounds, and top-of-the-line machinery with a human touch. This way, we ensure that every small stain is removed, every crinkle is ironed out, and your guest's laundry is returned cleaner than ever.
Our professional, friendly, and fully insured riders (in which we use e-cargo bikes to deliver your laundry) dutifully and diligently follow your instructions and ensure that your properties and guests are treated with the utmost respect.
If you're hosting an Airbnb in London, Oxford, or Cambridge and want to take your service and ratings to the next level, there's simply no one better.
Click here to learn more about our industry-leading laundry and dry cleaning services.
Should I provide complimentary laundry products (i.e. washing powder) for my Airbnb guests?
The short answer is yes. Small touches that don't cost much can go a long way in making the guest feel comfortable, bolstering the inevitable positive rating. Remember, guests want to feel at home in an Airbnb, which means having everyday household cleaning products at their disposal. You want your guests to feel at home and comfortable in your property, allowing for a more personal experience over a hotel.
DIY laundry hacks to save time and money
As an Airbnb host, you will know that laundry is a never-ending chore and that any hack, tip, or trick that saves even the slightest bit of time is like gold dust. So, if you've ever spent half the day tussling with a stain or have too much laundry, here are some life-saving hacks to help you master the art of laundry.
● How to tackle stains in a jiffy and keep whites pearly white - Do you have white sheets and want to keep them that way? Do you have trouble dealing with stains in clothing or linen? Vanish is a must to add to your cleaning arsenal. We use Vanish's magic products in every wash to tackle the toughest stains and ensure whites stay bright and colours stay vibrant.
● Stock up - Buy enough sheets and towels, so you only have to concentrate on laundry once a week. That way, you can lower your water consumption and electric bills, allowing for easier management!
● Fast-drying materials - You could save time by investing in fast-drying bedding and towels. While not the most luxurious fabric on the market, brushed microfibre sheets and medium-thickness towels dry instantly!
What bedding is best for Airbnb?
First and foremost, your bedding should match the quality of your Airbnb. Secondly, white is the colour to go with as it oozes quality and cleanliness. Thirdly, provide several options for your guests regarding a duvet, comforter and fitted sheets. As bedding is the one thing all guests will use, it's a good idea to invest in high-quality sheets that will last after many washes.
What items should you wash between guests?
Most definitely, the bedding and the towels! Everything else is up to you, and by choice, we mean: "does it look dirty"? We know that you don't need to wash the sofa covers after every guest, for example, so we can accommodate for that as and when required.
Should you provide spare sheets and towels for Airbnb guests?
Yes. Accidents happen, and when your guests spill something on their bedding, they want to have the option to change the sheets then and there.
For Guests
Can I use the washer/dryer when staying at an Airbnb?
If your Airbnb is equipped with a washer or dryer, and the host has not explicitly stated that you could not use it, you can assume it is for guests' use. But, a quick message to double-check wouldn't go amiss.
How can I do laundry at an Airbnb without a washer/dryer?
Nobody wants to even think about laundry when they're on holiday. But laundry soon becomes imperative when taking an extended vacation or business trip or spilling something on your fanciest garments. If your Airbnb doesn't have the necessary equipment, you could wash your clothes in the sink or the shower, but does this count as washing them? Especially when you are at an Airbnb or short-let, you don't want to put elbow grease into cleaning your clothes daily.
You could find a local laundrette, but then you would have to worry about going to pick your clothes up at a specific time, which can be an issue for some people.
Or, you could use Oxwash's dedicated, on-demand laundry and wet cleaning service. We collect your laundry at a time convenient to you, wash it using state-of-the-art technology, and deliver it neatly folded at a time of your choosing.
Don't let washing get in the way of your holiday; let Oxwash handle your dirty laundry.
Should I bring my own sheets and towels to stay at an Airbnb?
You definitely should not be required to bring your own sheets and towels to a half-decent Airbnb. If this question is nagging away at you, however, all you have to do is send the host a quick message, which you can usually do very quickly on the booking app.
What home items am I responsible for washing at my Airbnb?
You shouldn't be responsible for washing anything in terms of sheets and towels, and the host won't expect you to. You should check the description of the Airbnb and ask the host if you are concerned, however.
Remember that the host can also give guests a rating, so washing your sheets is an excellent idea to ensure a gleaming review from your host. But again, definitely not expected.
How often do I need to wash my sheets when staying at along-stay Airbnb letting?
For extended stays at Airbnb's, the host will likely provide you with a spare set of sheets and arrange for regular delivery and collection of sheets. If there is a washing machine, you may be required to look after your own laundry, so how often you wash your sheets is entirely up to you!
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