Question: providing toothpaste for guests?

[Cheston0]

I've been hosting for 8 years, and my rooms are all budget-focused:  providing a nice stay for the budget minded traveler.  I just had a guest this morning who was disappointed that I do not provide toothpaste and mouthwash, and he claimed that this is now 'standard' for Airbnbs to provide.  I was surprised, and a  guest never asked me for this and he seemed upset when I told him I don't provide this, even though the listing indicates that toothpaste and mouthwash are not provided.  I do of course supply liquid hand soap, liquid body wash, towels, shampoo and conditioner.  I'm curious if you provide toothpaste and mouthwash, and if it's true that most hosts do now provide these?

[Shelley159]

Hi @Cheston0 

Unusual guest you had there! 😀

Some years ago I tested all sorts of hospitality supplies on my guests. In my case almost nobody used the hotel-style small toothpaste and single-wrap toothbrushes, although a handful of guests seemed to pack and take them.

I soon stopped buying these because I kept having to throw out unused supplies, which felt wasteful. The pretty hospitality boxes and plastic wrapping that the toothbrush and toothpaste are packed in, quickly look warn and damp from being left in the bathroom unused after each checkout. 

Every market is different, but for me these specific supplies were a waste of money (and an extra effort to keep checking if they still looked OK).

[Christine2602]

Certains n'en n'ont jamais assez !

Je n'en fournis pas et j'ai du dépannage si qqun avait oublié.

--

Some people can never get enough!

I don't provide any, but I have some extra if someone has forgotten it.

Translation added by Community manager

[Karen114]

@Cheston0  I was just checking out reviews for a resort I am going to and I always start at the lowest stars to see if they are plausible or valid reviews.  The resort received a 1 star review because they did not provide a dental kit, tooth paste and toothbrush.  😲.  I laughed and thought it ridiculous. This is not a budget resort.

I have never traveled without my own toothbrush and toothpaste.  To me this is like coffee, everyone is going to have different taste, needs etc.  Some like a firm brush or no fluoride toothpaste. 

I think it's nice if someone forgot their toothbrush and tooth paste to have some extra on hand somewhere if that's the case but certainly not an everyday amenity offered to every guest.

[Greystone0]

Hi @Cheston0  - 

toothpaste and tooth brushes/mouthwash are not standard for an STR in the US, at least as far as I have seen. Other geographies might be different and so if this person is from 'other' then very well could be something encountered regularly.

Both these items, by their nature, are single 'use' and so can't be 'kept' for a future guest if used and so, generally speaking, single use items are on their way out.

However, I have seen this type of idea: a host will offer a 'basket' of toiletry items that can be used, sort of like the airplane toiletry kit.  We keep a bathroom drawer filled with such items and replenish occasionally. I hate the idea of single use but like the idea of offering something that a guest might find extremely helpful in a pinch. We don't advertise this idea at all but do replenish it. Our cleaning crew is only in charge of the basics as it takes a lot to keep our listing 'filled' and so this drawer is on us (as hosts) to refill when we are in the house if that makes sense. So we don't guarantee anything and if it is empty for a guest, they just wouldn't know that it had something, if that makes sense.  We included small tubes of toothpaste, a few bamboo toothbrushes and a few other small toiletries. I think we went thru 5 toothbrushes last year. 

[Cheston0]

thanks everyone.  as it turns out, this guest took the towel and washcloth when they checked out.  so now I have a feeling they were looking for 'free' toothpaste to take too.  I've decided that I won't change anything now, especially with stealing the towel and washcloth.  Luckily, over the YEARS of hosting I've only had a few guests take things.  By and large most guests are excellent!

[Lorna170]

@Cheston0  Hotels may provide those amenities, although they are getting economical and certain items are now only available for a fee from the front desk.  SOME AirBnB hosts will also provide personal products. It is NOT a standard. You can choose which type of host you are. 

If you are a home share host, you could keep an "emergency" bag of toiletries for those forgetful guests, but be careful...the next thing you know the guest may want a razor, shaving cream, deodorant, body lotion, exfoliant, cotton balls, makeup sponges, feminine products, contraceptives, fun gels, medicinal ointments, headache pills, band-aids...  (I could go on).

Just be clear on your listing as to what you do and do not provide.