As an Airbnb host, dealing with stained towels and linens can be incredibly frustrating. Not only do they look unsightly, but they can also be time-consuming and expensive to replace. Forums are full of hosts complaining that their beautiful white towels look like they had been used to clean a crime scene. But there must be a solution. In this article, I’ll offer practical advice to help other hosts avoid these issues and provide a better experience for their guests.
Understanding Why Airbnb Guests Stain Towels
There are several reasons why guests may stain towels and linens during their stay. Some of the most common causes include makeup, skin products, and eating or drinking in bed. Makeup, especially foundation, can be difficult to remove from fabric, while certain skincare products can leave oily residues. Eating or drinking in bed increases the chances of accidental spills, which can result in stubborn stains.
The most common reasons guests stain Airbnb towels include:
- Makeup and cosmetics: Often guests will use towels and linens to remove makeup, resulting in stains that are difficult to remove.
- Food and drink spills: Accidents happen, and spills from food and drinks can leave unsightly stains on towels and linens.
- Sunscreen and tanning lotions: Similar to makeup, sunscreen and tanning lotions can also leave stains on towels and linens.
- Bleach and other cleaning products: While it may seem counterintuitive, using too much bleach or other cleaning products can actually cause stains on towels and linens.
- Dye from other fabrics: If guests bring in clothing or other fabrics that are not colorfast, the dye can bleed onto towels and linens.
- Hair dye: Guests who dye their hair in the Airbnb may accidentally stain towels and linens with hair dye.
- Oil-based products: Lotions, creams, and other oil-based products can leave stains on towels and linens that are difficult to remove.
- Inadequate cleaning: If towels and linens are not properly cleaned and sanitized between guests, stains and other marks may be left behind.
These challenges can be frustrating for hosts, who must spend time and effort trying to remove these stains or bear the cost of replacing damaged items. To address these issues, it's essential to understand the causes of staining and find effective solutions.
Solution #1: Effective Communication with Guests
Clear and concise communication with your guests is key to avoiding stained towels and linens. Start by outlining your expectations in your house rules, using firm but polite language. For example:
Ineffective Wording
"Don't stain the towels or linens."
"Guests will be charged extra for any stained towels or linens."
"Use cleaning products as needed to remove stains from towels and linens."
"Don't use towels or linens to remove hair dye or other hair products."
"Guests are responsible for any damage to towels or linens."
Effective Wording
"Please be mindful of makeup, food spills, and other potential causes of staining when using our towels and linens."
"We kindly ask that guests let us know if any towels or linens are accidentally stained so we can promptly address the issue."
"Please avoid using bleach or other harsh cleaning products on our towels and linens, as these can actually cause staining."
"To avoid staining, we kindly ask that guests refrain from using our towels and linens to remove hair dye or other hair products."
"We understand that accidents happen, but please let us know if any towels or linens are accidentally stained so we can address the issue in a timely manner."
Solution #2: Providing Stain-Resistant Alternatives
If you're looking for a practical solution to prevent towel and linen stains in your Airbnb, investing in stain-resistant towels can be a game-changer. Look for towels that are specifically designed for makeup removal or use with skincare products, as these are often made with materials that are less likely to retain stains.
When purchasing stain-resistant towels, consider the color carefully. White towels may seem like a classic option, but they are also more likely to show stains. Choosing darker colors like brown or black can help hide any potential stains and complement the overall decor of the bathroom.
To enhance the guest experience, consider presenting the stain-resistant towels in an attractive basket or container in the bathroom. This not only makes it easy for guests to find the towels, but also adds a touch of elegance to the overall decor of the space.
Investing in stain-resistant towels can help minimize the occurrence of towel and linen stains in your Airbnb. With proper care and attention, these towels can offer a long-lasting and practical solution that guests will appreciate.
Dan River 100% Cotton Makeup Towel - $14.99 for a pack of 6 towels
The Dan River Makeup Towels are a pack of 6 black towels made from 100% cotton. They are 13x13 inches in size and come with stylish silver, golden, and red embroidery designs. The towels are soft, plush, and quick-drying, and are specially designed for gentle makeup removal. They are effective for removing all makeup, dirt, oil, and grime effortlessly, and work better than regular washcloths due to the many threads on a smaller surface area. These makeup towels are versatile and can be used for all kinds of personal uses and home chores. They are ideal for removing facial makeup, eye makeup, glitter, lipstick, and more. The towels are machine washable, and care instructions include washing with mild detergent in warm water and tumble drying on low settings.
By providing stain-resistant alternatives, you can reduce the chances of your regular towels and linens being ruined by guests.
Solution #3: Creating Visible Reminders for Guests
The importance of placing laminated cards with instructions in bathrooms cannot be overstated. These cards serve as visible reminders for guests, reinforcing the house rules and providing clear guidance on how to avoid staining towels and linens. When creating these cards, be sure to include:
- A polite request to use the stain-resistant towels provided for makeup removal or when using skincare products
- A reminder to avoid eating or drinking in bed
- Brief instructions on how to handle accidental spills or stains (e.g., blotting with a damp cloth)
Solution #4: Reiterating Expectations in Communications
Repeating your expectations in pre-booking and post-booking communications can help ensure that guests are fully aware of your house rules and the steps they should take to avoid staining towels and linens. Examples of effective communication include:
- Including a brief mention of your towel/linen policies in your Airbnb listing description
- Sending a friendly reminder in your pre-arrival message
- Providing a printed copy of your house rules in the guest welcome packet
Here are some sample messages that you could send:
- We're excited to welcome you to our Airbnb! We kindly ask that you take care not to stain our towels during your stay. Using towels for makeup removal, hair dye, or any other activity that could cause stains can result in additional cleaning fees. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
- Thank you for choosing to stay with us! We hope you're enjoying your stay so far. We would like to remind you to please take care not to stain our towels during your stay. Using towels for makeup removal, hair dye, or any other activity that could cause stains can result in additional cleaning fees. We kindly ask that you avoid using our towels for these purposes and use the designated makeup removal towels provided instead. Thank you for your cooperation.
Key Takeaway
Eliminating stained towels and linens in your Airbnb is achievable by understanding the causes, effectively communicating with guests, providing stain-resistant alternatives, creating visible reminders, and reiterating expectations in pre-booking and post-booking communications. By implementing these strategies, you can not only save time and money on replacements, but also provide a better hosting experience for your guests.
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