How Often Should You Replace Your Airbnb Linens and Towels?

Created: Friday, 23 July 2021 12:24

Owning an Airbnb or another vacation rental property involves ensuring your property is in tip-top shape to impress guests and earn stellar reviews. Guests care deeply about cleanliness, comfort and appearance, so it's essential to know when to replace your linens and towels to impress your visitors. 

Having a keen eye for detail and recognizing when it's time to replace towels, linens and other items is an essential part of owning a great rental property. Keep your guests coming back for more and earn new ones in the process with proper care. 

Here's a quick guide to help you spot when it's time to replace your linens and towels. 

The Importance of Replacing Your Linens, Towels and Other Items

Guests care about cleanliness and comfort a lot, and those factors can be among some of the top reasons they leave a negative review. Guests will often have high standards for your bathroom and bedroom, and it's easy to see why. These two spaces are where guests will prepare for and unwind from their days, and no one wants to feel like their sleeping space or shower is unclean. 

Your guests will expect a certain level of quality from your towels and linens when they come to stay at your Airbnb property, including cleanliness and quality. Having fresh, clean and high-quality towels and linens is a great way to impress your guests with cleanliness and comfort and can earn you some great reviews in the process.

Guests will even pay attention to the state of your carpeting and other items during their stay. Successfully replacing these items regularly will help ensure your Airbnb looks just like the photos and is in the best shape possible, leaving guests feeling impressed. 

How Often to Replace Towels in Your Airbnb

When it comes to your Airbnb, how often you replace towels is crucial. Having an eye for when it's time to toss away those old towels can lead to better reviews and satisfied guests. Let's look at how often you should replace different types of towels in your Airbnb or rental property.

Bath Towels

Bath towels are essential for guests who are staying overnight. They are a crucial part of what makes your Airbnb feel comfortable and home-like, and many guests have come to expect that bath towels will be available during their stay. Visitors can also expect a certain quality from your bath towels, most of all wanting them to look, feel and smell fresh, be fluffy and soft and be absorbent. 

Because we use a bath towel to dry off every part of ourselves, you will need to launder and replace them more often. If you don't properly clean your towels, they can grow mold or mildew and start to have a musty smell that is not ideal for guests. You will need to replace them often to keep them soft and fluffy. 

Aim to replace your Airbnb bath towels every three to six months. You should also be aware that white towels might show wear a bit earlier than other colors, so you may want to replace those more often. Replacing your bath towels regularly can help keep your Airbnb in the best condition and keep your guests feeling comfortable and clean. 

Hand Towels

Hand towels are more than just a necessity for the bathroom at your Airbnb. Your guests can use them to clean a child's face, wipe down counters or tables or clean or dry their face after a long day. Their uses can go far beyond just drying hands, which is why it's essential to replace them often to provide your guests with the best experience. 

Providing high-quality hand towels gives your guests a comfortable experience and leaves them feeling clean after using one. Hand towels are a lot smaller than bath towels, which means they might need replacing more often due to quicker wear. It's a good idea to stock up and buy hand towels in bulk to ensure you always have spare lying around if you ever need a few extras. 

It's also a good idea to buy new hand towels when you purchase bath towels. Replacing them every three to six months is a good rule of thumb. Repurchasing hand and bath towels at the same time can also help you get matching or complementary sets to further impress your guests.

Kitchen Towels

Like hand towels, kitchen towels can also have several uses. Your guests will use them for drying dishes, drying their hands in the kitchen, cleaning spills, wiping counters or tables or grabbing and setting down hot items. Because of their frequent contact around food and food surfaces, they can be prone to carrying bacteria and developing stains. 

Compared to bath and hand towels, the kitchen towels might not get used as often, but it's still essential to provide your guests with the best quality towels when they do need to use them. Replace your kitchen and tea towels every six to 12 months, although this can depend on how frequently your guests cook. If your Airbnb is near a bustling city with plenty of food options, your guests might be more likely to eat out, meaning you won't need to replace these towels as often.

Washcloths

Providing the best quality washcloths is essential for creating a high-quality experience at your Airbnb. Your guests will use them to clean in the bath or shower, wash off makeup, rinse their face or hands and many other uses. It's crucial to note when you will need to replace them to keep your property in tip-top shape. 

It's a good idea to launder washcloths daily and after every use to ensure their cleanliness. And because of their small size, washcloths may start to wear sooner than some of your other towels. We recommend replacing your washcloths every three to six months, similar to your hand towels. Top tip — buy washcloths in bulk to always have spare when you need them and save money in the long run. 

How Often Should You Buy New Linens for Your Airbnb?

Depending on how busy your Airbnb gets, your linens may get used frequently by different guests, and you may need to replace them more or less often. You will need to clean, wash and dry them after every use and after each guest has left, which leads to a lot of wear over time. Before you know it, your sheets and bedding may start to look worn, which doesn't leave a great impression on your guests. 

An essential way to keep your guests happy and help to rake in some five-star reviews is to replace your linens frequently. Let's take a look at some top tips for replacing your linens and bedding for your Airbnb. 

Pillows and Pillowcases

Ensuring that your pillows and pillowcases are soft and comfortable can help you get on the right track to impress your guests. The bedroom is one of the first rooms a guest will check out to unpack their things. Having crisp and high-quality pillowcases can lead to a great first impression and ensure they have a good night's sleep. Replace them every year or so to keep bedding looking pristine.

Your guests will enjoy lovely, fluffy pillows during their stay to feel cozy. While you can still clean and wash your pillows, it can start to be tricky to keep them clean over time. It's good practice to replace them every six months to ensure your guests can sleep on a nice, comfy pillow each night. Be sure to check out the fluffiness of your pillows frequently, too. If they are starting to feel a bit flat, it might be time to purchase some more. 

Sheets

Any Airbnb owner will know that clean and durable bed sheets are a must for helping guests to feel like your rental is clean and comfortable. Guests will expect to see spotless and freshly cleaned sheets when they start their stay at your property. You should know when to replace your bed sheets to help ensure your guests have a good night's sleep and leave a great review in the morning. 

When you need to replace your sheets can vary depending on how busy your Airbnb is. If you often get bookings every week or have a high occupancy rate all year round, replace sheets every six months. If guests are a bit sparse, then replacing your sheets at least once a year is a good rule of thumb to follow. 

Be sure to check your sheets frequently for any stains, rips or wear and tear. If any of these occur, be sure to replace them as soon as possible to ensure your guests have a pleasant stay. 

Blankets 

Cuddly, soft and clean blankets and comforters are beloved by Airbnb guests. Having a freshly cleaned, cozy bed to crawl into after a long day can make all the difference and leave your guests feeling happy and satisfied with their stay at your Airbnb. By ensuring you provide the best quality duvets and comforters, you can help your guests feel well-rested and impressed with your level of comfort and cleanliness. 

Duvets, comforters and blankets are durable and can often last quite a while without being replaced. Be sure to check your blankets frequently for any stains or signs of wear and tear. If you notice any of these, replace them as quickly as you can. If your blankets are still in decent condition, we recommend replacing them about every five years. Be sure to wash them after every guest so they look and smell fresh and clean for each new stay. 

How Often to Replace Other Items in Your Airbnb

When it comes to some other items in your Airbnb, chances are you won't have to replace them as often as your linens and towels, which guests tend to use much more frequently. It's still a good idea to check the condition of your carpeting, such as welcome mats and bathroom mats, to keep your Airbnb in the best condition possible. 

If you have carpeting in your Airbnb, you should look out for stains and signs of wear and tear. You most likely won't need to replace your carpeting for several years, especially if it was just installed. It's still important to keep your carpets as clean as possible. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep your carpets in excellent condition for your guests and even add some carpeting to other areas for a cozier feel.

Be sure to vacuum your carpets as often as possible. It might not be possible to do this daily, depending on how long your guests typically stay. Aim to vacuum after each guest has checked out to pick up those pesky crumbs and bits of dirt to keep your carpets as clean as possible. 

It's also a great idea to add some carpeting to your bathroom. Adding soft and absorbent bath mats to the cold tile in your bathroom offers comfort for your guests who are just stepping out of the shower. The addition can also help your bathroom look and feel complete. Be sure to wash them after every use and replace them every two years to keep them feeling clean and soft for your guests. 

Linen and Towel Tips for Your Airbnb

With how often to buy new linens in mind, you're almost ready to give your Airbnb guests a stellar experience. Offer a positive stay and make your rental property stand out by following these additional tips:

• Offer extras: Some guests go through towels quicker than others, so be sure to have a stock of clean towels and linens accessible to your renters. Keep these in the open or in clearly labeled areas so visitors can find them easily. A decorative basket on a bathroom counter can hold a selection of washcloths, for instance.
• Provide laundering services: Keep towels fresh by laundering them during your guests' stays, a service that's sure to get positive reviews. If you won't be around your Airbnb property, consider providing on-site laundry so guests can launder their own linens, towels and clothes. That amenity is particularly useful for longer stays.
• Buy in bulk: Whether your Airbnb is booked every day or you see guests more during peak times, have towels and linens in bulk. With backups, you can easily swap clean linens out for used ones rather than having to wait until you launder your only set.
• Check your linens: While you can stick to a timeline for replacing your linens, you should still check them between guests and washes. Look for fraying, stains and other concerns that mean it's time to retire your linens and towels.
• Repurpose old linens: Just because you're replacing your towels doesn't mean you can't get use out of the old ones. Cut larger towels and linens into rags or use washcloths and hand towels for cleaning. Store these in labeled areas so guests don't mistakenly use them as normal linens.

Buy Towels and Linens for Your Airbnb From Towel Super Center Today 

As the leading towel supplier on the web, we can provide your Airbnb and vacation rental property with the quality towels, sheets and linens you need for every room for your guests. Our towels are absorbent, soft and fluffy, affordable and designed with the highest quality.

We are dedicated to providing towels with quality and value. That's why we offer our towels at a higher discounted rate than other retailers. At Towel Super Center, we understand that you may need to buy towels in large quantities depending on the size of your Airbnb. That's why we offer great bulk and wholesale buying options to help you save money on larger orders.

Shop for your Airbnb towels and linens from Towel Super Center today!