Would you leave a review for this guest? host opinions please

[Terri151]

I recently had a couple of 20-something women stay for 5 nights. They were very friendly and we talked a few times. But this is the first time, since hosting last Oct, that I will either leave no review or a negative review. Haven't decided yet. They weren't completely terrible, but they:

-permanently stained two of my washcloths by using them for makeup (and possibly nail polish) removal

-left glitter all over a bedroom table (ugh...glitter!)

-tracked beach sand into the house and garage

-left a blue stain on the ledge of the tub, I don't even know what it is but scrubbing it would not remove

-scuffed the bedroom wall with their luggage

I know for sure it was them and not a previous guest. I allowed them a complimentary early check in and check out and they seemed to enjoy their stay. They left me a review, which is probably positive, but I can't read it yet. 

So my question is, for guests like this, would you just not leave a review at all? would you want to warn other hosts, or is this not enough of a big deal?

[Helen3]

hello @Terri151 

I always review my guests.

In this case let people know about the positive aspects of their stay and then mark them down one or two stars or cleanliness and say you were disappointed to find XX, XXX and XXX.

Do you provide make up removers by the way and note in your guest book that face cloths shouldn't be used to remove make-up. Obvious I know but with guests sometimes you need to state the bleeding obvious 🙂

[Terri151]

Hi Helen, thanks for your feedback.

Not makeup remover wipes per se, but there are disposable baby wipes in the bath closet, which could have been used, maybe the guests didn't see them. I also provide a lot of other optional consumables in the bath closet such as kleenex, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, liquid body wash, Q tips, toothbrushes (the basic freebie kind the dentist gives every visit), shower caps, dental floss, sunscreen, complete first aid kit, Febreeze, Poo-pourri, and so on. I've really tried to cover all the bases.

[Christopher187]

You may have had a pleasant conversation with your guests, but they were still disrespectful to your property and their carelessness caused damage.  Other hosts need to know about this, so yes, please leave an appropriately negative review.

[Terri151]

Hi Christopher, thanks for your feedback   🙂

[Sarah977]

@Terri151   I don't find some of the things you mention to be a big deal, just the cost of doing business. The stain on the edge of the bathtub, yes, not okay. The glitter is a mess (I used to forbid my kids' birthday guests from bringing any presents which contained glitter or glitter-glue) and is hard to get up, but you have to vacuum anyway, so it just adds a bit of time to thoroughly go over the area. And beach sand- I live in a beach town and it's pretty much impossible to come home from the beach without bringing sand with you. I leave a broom and dustpan in the guest space, and mention that while I don't expect guests to do heavy-duty cleaning or leave the place immaculate, they may want to sweep up the sand as it's uncomfortable to walk around on in bare feet. Scuffed wall I'd consider normal wear and tear.

The stained washcloths- as @Helen3  says, some things should be obvious, but seems a lot of guests have to be told specifically. So just because the wipes were there, doesn't mean they'd think to use them. But staining things isn't good, respectful guest behavior.

I don't see the point in not leaving a review. Mention the positives and a simple "Could have shown more respect as far as staining washcloths, edge of tub with unknown substance, and leaving glitter all over bedside table" might be in order. 

[Terri151]

Glitter should be banned!!  ha.

And most of my guests are beach-goers since I live close to one of the best beaches in the state, but have not run into this before now. There is a no shoes worn in the house rule, it's in the listing and house manual, and if towels are shaken out outside then it's fine. Looks like they brought in beach towels without shaking them out first.

I like the verbiage you suggested for the review, thanks.

[Emilia42]

@Terri151 

Use bleach on the bathtub and a Mr. Clean Magic Easer on the wall.

[Terri151]

Hi Emilia! I did exactly that. The scuffs on the wall came off. The stain on the tub ledge won't budge. Thank you for the suggestions.

[Sarah977]

@Terri151   Try soaking a cloth in vinegar and just leave it on the stain for an hour or so. If it still doesn't come off, maybe private message the guest to ask if they can tell you what it was so you know what you'll need to use to remove it.

[Terri151]

I asked and guest responded. It's a special purple shampoo for blonde hair.  I would not expect something like that to stain the ledge of a white tub, but it did. I'm going to try the vinegar soak. She was very apologietic.

TY.

[Sarah977]

@Terri151  Oh, I use that purple shampoo and conditioner as well. It's the modern-day equivalent of what grey-haired women used to use that was called bluing (hence the term blue-rinsers- most used too much and their hair had a blue-tinge, altho my grandmother was a master at using it- her hair was always bright white). Works for both blonde and grey hair to counter dinginess.

I've not noticed that it stains my shower, although I have dark tiles, not porcelain. But I haven't seen it staining the light colored grout, either.

Good luck with that.

[Mark1412]

I agree with Sara and the thing mentioned are mainly small annoyances but nothing major.. just part of running a business. The stain on the tub is the tub is the only real issue I would mention.

[Terri151]

Mark, I agree. But I am unsure what to say in my review, if I even leave one. I've always left one for every guest before. This is stay #38. I wonder what the stain is.  I'm not at home right now or I'd take a pic of it.

[Ange2]

@Terri151   I would leave a review. Was this their first Airbnb experience. I had a guest once, 2nd Airbnb for him, he had bad reviews about cleaning etc, but I accepted him anyway.  First thing he did on arrival was take off his shoes (one of the complaints made) and then he asked about expectations for cleaning, garbage etc. He was a fantastic guest, super responsible and respectful.