@Rich2489 We are live on site hosts, but treat the space as NOT OURS when guests are on site.
Good advise and options already listed by @Joanne---Mike0 , @Trevor243 , @Maia29 , @Beth80 .
Be flexible: my space is two bedrooms, up to four people + an infant.
This works for me:
1. I never try and negotiate linen or any form of cleaning prior to the guests being on site.
2. I always have the conversation face to face after they have settled in, by at least a day or two.
I always document / recount the discussion and outcome on the Airbnb message board.
3. If staying a week, I offer clean towels and sheets for after the third day. I’ve never had anyone take up a sheet change for this period. However, they are often grateful for towel and mat changes.
4. If say ten days, I’ll offer towels after third day, but sheets for fifth day.
5. I wrap the bed linen and mark the sizing with post it notes, so the sheeting is easily sorted. It goes into a large plastic hamper container to distribute, then for them to place the dirty linen in it either on the decking, or on to the laundry floor, where I will do the washing. ( I insist that the linen is my job 😊 as they are in holidays.They do their personal washing if and when they see fit.)
6. I always swap over full towel sets, washer etc per person, whether they use it or not. (Noted on post it, plus noting for myself the quantity clean/ dirty so you are up to speed if some goes missing.)
Noting, each guest gets already: 1 x pool towel, 2 x bath towels, 2 x face washers, 1 x hand towel. One white thick set, one thinner dark set. I always leave two older towels, a couple of spare hand towels and 2 extra bath mats (making 4) in the space for emergencies.
** I ALWAYS have spare linens in the shared laundry (out of sight - not in their space) for any immediate sickness or emergency.
** I only leave spare baby linens including waterproofing, in the space, if there is an infant/ baby, as they can have an overnight accident.
*** I leave a stick vacuum and other cleaning items in the laundry, so they are available if they want them. I never offer to clean, unless it seems appropriate. In over four years, this has happened once and was merely a towel changeover, with a light wipe around, bedroom tidy and waste paper bin emptying! I mainly have family groups, so they are just happy to have the space to themselves. I don’t need to enter.........
** I do allow extra time for cleaning after a longer stay.
* My maximum stay is 21 days. If we get all get on, we can always extend the original reservation, but that for us, is usually long enough.
🌻 It keeps the house rules in place without familiarisation melting them away.🌻