Bed Linens

[Anthony2515]

What type of bed linens have you found most durable and easy to maintain for frequent Airbnb turnovers? In terms of material, colors, e.t.c. what actually works?

 I know Hotels use all-white linens for a reason, but how do regular Airbnb hosts keep white sheets clean and restored without industrial chemicals?

[Denise1657 · Accepted solution]

I will echo all stated below.  LOL.

I USED to have all white everything.  "hotel" standards right?  Switching to color for my sheets and ONE step further.  I have several sizes for my beds.  So I pick one color for each size.  White I do go with for the King bed.  Blue/Navy for the queen.  Gray for the Full size.  and every other color for the twins.  

Towels - I also switched to a color.  Try to find something that "fades" well - like gray.  So when it loses it's color, it still looks like it should.  White was good - actually great - because I love that hotel feel.  But, had several guests "use" them badly.  

I suppose that lesson is just plan to replace at least yearly.

Bed toppers are key as well.  if you HAVE older white sheets, I still put them on as an extra layer BELOW the pillow topper.  

[Denise1657]

adding that the different color for the sizes is so that I don't have to GUESS which goes where!

[Bhumika]

Hi @Denise1657 , using colours for each bed size is really smart! It sounds like you have developed a really good system over time. 

What inspired your decision to switch from all-white linens to this colour-coding approach? Was there a particular challenge or instance that led to this change? 

[Denise1657]

The challenge was for me - trying to figure out which fitted sheet went where.  Queen and King are especially tricky.  Queen feels like it will fit the king until it doesn't.  So have you tried to wrangle fitted sheets for 4 different beds, sometime 2 sets for each bed.  Seriously, way to much time on that.  LMAO.

We do our own cleaning.  Live on premise with a dedicated apartment for AirBnB.

I still prefer white - so I go with that for my King bed - which is the most used one.  

Time management I suppose would be the "net-net"

[Bhumika]

@Denise1657 , I totally hear you 🤣 Especially when you have linens of same color with different sizes, it can get messy real quick. 

I know you mentioned time management as your goal! What is your number one way to save time when you are cleaning between guests?

[Denise1657]

@Bhumika Have my husband do it!  

I guess that's part of it, divide and conquer.  He does all the laundry and beds and trash.  I clean up after him to clean the floors, dust and scrub down the bathroom.  

Our place is a studio with a concrete floor, so it's actually pretty easy.

[Bhumika]

I love that strategy @Denise1657 ! It sounds like you and your husband have a great system in place. 

Is there a cleaning chore that you enjoy the most?  I understand dedicating time to handle cleaning tasks can be tiring, but still, for me washing clear glass utensils always works like a therapy ‌😂‌ Plus , monitoring my robo-vacuum diligently sweeping the floor is oddly satisfying.

[Denise1657]

@Bhumika LMAO.  Exactly! 

Actually it does bring to mind "my way" of making it easy - typically an audio book.  I concentrate on the story and just keep going with the cleaning because I don't want to stop listening.  tada!  apartment cleaned.  

[Bhumika]

Haha @Denise1657 , that’s genius! Audiobooks totally turn cleaning from a chore into an engaging one. I do the same but with movies. I tend to go for mysteries or thrillers, so I’m always motivated to keep moving until I find out whodunit. Do you prefer a specific genre or go for podcasts? 

[Elvis72]

I like cotton and microfibers. To be honest I am not as worried about longevity since it's just a matter of time before the linens get stained, so I would focus on balance of comfort and price first. 

[Bhumika]

Hi @Elvis72 , that makes a lot of sense! I am reading that most hosts prefer white linens. Is it the same case for you or do you prefer solid colours for your linens?

[Cynthia1156]

Yes whites are best. I use 100% Egyptian cotton which is very durable and stands up to a little bleach.

[Bhumika]

Thanks for sharing @Cynthia1156 ! Do you have a particular brand or supplier you prefer for buying Egyptian cotton linens, or do you typically shop around for the best deals?

[Grace329]

I use white all the way because it’s easy to spot stains, fading doesnt show plus most guests have a perception that with white , everything is clean!

[Bhumika]

Hi @Grace329 , from what I am reading,  I guess most hosts agree with using white linens 💯

How do you usually handle tough stains on white linens? Do you have a go-to cleaning method or product that you vouch for?