What type of laundry detergent do you provide to guests?

[Anika191]

Hi again!  🙋‍♀️ I'm curious what type of laundry detergent do you provide for guests use?

Currently, our old property manager had purchased the pod style detergent.  I can see the pros of it being mess free and easy to portion for guest use, but our cleaners are using it too, and I'm not happy with the residue its leaving behind on the sheets.  

Personally, I use a liquid product at home.  Do any hosts provide a liquid?  I'm concerned about the mess, the whole jug walking off, etc.

I've also looked into strips and powdered tabs.  Because we are in the mountains, I'm concerned that a cold water wash won't fully dissolve the tab.  I'm not sure about the sheet.  Do any hosts provide either of these options and what is your feedback?

I'm leaning towards providing a liquid for the cleaners and a tab or sheet for the guests, but I'm really open to hearing what everyone says.

I am trying to make the condo and our stay environmentally friendly, so that is a factor.  I provide shampoo, conditioner, body soap from The Good Fill to take advantage of their refill program, and liquid dish detergent and hand soap that also comes in large refills.  I've moved away from single use plastics as much as possible, and I'm hoping my guests value the sustainability features in our space.

[Mark-And-Paul2]

we provide liquid detergent in small containers… We look for detergent and fabric softener that leave behind a fresh clean scent without being overpowering.
we have not experienced problems with guests.
use small containers that are available to the guests and refill them from larger containers to save on waste.

[Diana2915]

I like the idea of getting a small bottle of liquid and then just refilling it also because I have a guest that’s going to be here for three months and I didn’t really want them using all of my laundry detergent but one thing I do to cut down on the mess with the cup is I put it in the washer and it gets it cleaned for the next load.  

[Michelle4410]

Hi @Anika191 

I tend to provide the customer with the PERSIL NON BIO TAB as best for convenience to be honest and most guests don't use anyway 

For the bedding though I agree with results not being as good so either use liquid and separate conditioner OR use a stain spray if needed then the tabs

hope this helps 

Michelle 

[Maria18751]

I keep liquid detergent for the cleaner and provide pods for the guests. 

[Larry448]

I leave samples of liquid detergent for guests and my cleaners use dye free liquid detergent on all linens.

[Kiran145]

We use "Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters Fresh Burst, Liquid Laundry Detergent".

[Lorinzo0]

Provide pods that are unscented.  As for the other toiletries there is alot of waste with providing bulk anything. It almost negatively impacts the environment as mich as single use items. If you really want a unique and sanitary guest experience pods (unscented) single use toiletries are the way to go. 

[Laura7914]

I use the pod system seems to work best for me. I have not yet experienced an issue with pods maybe trying a different pod. If you do switch tho a liquid May I suggest getting a small bottle filled with laundry soap and refill with the bigger soap bottle when guest leave.

[Meenakshi19]

Yes we have switched everything to refills except face soap and detergent. Still using large liquid soap and heard some walk away with it and have been researching other sustainable options but many were very expensive. Thinking of small bottle to transfer part of the liquid detergent.

[Marilyn458]

@Anika191 for detergent for my case I purchased the small personal bottles of liquid gain detergent. This has been working for me for the past year. 

[Marlys12]

I personally don't provide any laundry soap in my 5 vacation rentals, and when I travel, I take my own.  We stay in Airbnbs  often and I don't expect laundry soap to be provided.

[Mark4168]

Hi  I use liquid perfume free laundry detergent. It seems to work well and not leave any residue. Some guests use the washer and dryer others do not.

[Lisa9645]

Hello and Happy New Year,

I live in a city with city water so this may not be helpful to your specific situation. 

I leave out a Costco sized bucket of Tide Pods and have had no issues.

Take Care!

[Michelle3664]

We use All Free & Clear. We have a large jug (from Costco) that we use to refill a smaller bottle for the guests as needed. I haven't had a problem with guests taking that small bottle or using an excess amount. Even if a guest did take it, the smaller bottle is often around $5-6. Occasional drips down the side of the small bottle need to be wiped up, but we haven't had a big mess.

[Jj42]

I used to use pods when I had my airbnb in canada. I would usually have 2-3 by the machine in a jar. People talk about it being adjusted to smaller loads but honestly if the guest chooses to use a laundry pod to wash a pair of pants and now only has one, thats on them lol. 

In Brazil where I am now its to expensive and my experience is that powder is super messy. So I have an affordable but liquid hypoallergenic detergente. 
Go with unscented. You might really like the smell of your rose smelling laundry, but I have always felt as a guest crawling into sheets (even clean ones) that smell like someone elses perfume or house is weird. Hotels don't use scented products for that reason.  Also many people have allergies.