Guest left a stain on the mattress

[Vanessa1511]

Hi guys,

My last guest has obviously spilled something and there is a huge stain on the mattress. He flipped the mattress before he left but Is till saw it.

What's the best thing to do? The sheets were fine.  Unstained.

Try to clean it myself

Call a professional and bill the guest?

What do you suggest? I'm happy about being left out of pocket for additional cleaning expenses and it's rather careless of the guest.

[Elaine701]

Confrontation with guests is always risky. Considering that they've obviously tried to hide it, you are likely to invite a scathing review.

Unless they've already reviewed, and in that case, it's probably worth nicely asking them to compensate for the cleaning. But don't expect a positive response. And getting Airbnb involved can make it even worse, depending on the mood of their inexperienced outsourced support person on that day. 

I've had my share of these, and frankly, nowadays just I chalk it up to a cost of doing business. I have enough issues to solve. I don't need more frustrations or adding insult to injury. It's not worth it. 

[John5097]

@Vanessa1511  I would clean it, invest in a mattress protectors, leave an honest review and move on. 

[Vanessa1511]

What's the best way to clean it? Baking soda and vinegar?

[Sarah977]

@Vanessa1511  A bare mattress under a sheet is not okay for a rental situation. You should have a waterproof cover over the mattress, with a proper mattress pad over that. Chalk this up to a learning experience. 

[Emilia42]

https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Bedding-Zippered-Mattress-Encasement/dp/B00U6HREPQ/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_...

[John5097]

@Vanessa1511 Sounds good to me. Could also try oxy clean. You mix it more like a paste almost wipe in on and off. I also used a shop vac. 

BTW.. I like this mattress protector. I just use the fitted one, change out and wash between every guest with pillow protectors. They last a good while and get to use all the extra linens and bedding myself. I don't eat in bed and shower before going to bed, but should keep keep mattress looking new. 

Its on sale. 
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Protector-Breathable-Protection-Vinyl-Free/dp/B0858WS1ZN/ref=sr_1_...