Towels

[Nedra9]

How to stop people from taking your towels or wiping their make-up on the towels.

I have only been a host for 6 months & I have bought more towels than anything.

It seems that every other person is taking the towels or they try to replace the towel with a cheaper brand. 

Any suggestions besides buying stock in towels....LOL

[Sarah977]

@Nedra9  I've never had a guest make off with towels or anything else, so can't help you out there.

But as far as the make-up stains, you can find and order online black washcloths with "Make-up" embroidered on them. Also provide make-up wipes and a tasteful little sign at the bathroom counter asking guests to please use the designated washcloths and wipes for make-up (and dispose of wipes in the wastebasket, not the toilet) rather than the towels.

I've read hosts saying this cut down substantially on the make-up stains. 

I don't have this problem, either, myself- the type of guests my listing attracts are not heavy make-up wearers.

[M199]

@Nedra9 

The worst my guests take advantage of is the "hotel" style limited use toothbrush and 5ml toothpaste.  And only about 10% of guests do that.  Though, what I do is leave 1 bath towel and 1 hand towel per guest.  No face clothes ever.  I have never had a complaint from guests not having face clothes.

To be honest, most of our guests come for the outdoor experience, hiking, biking, swimming, etc.  So most leave there makeup at home.  Lucky us!

[Sarah977]

@M199  "most of our guests come for the outdoor experience, hiking, biking, swimming, etc.  So most leave there makeup at home.  Lucky us!"

Same here. Being in a beach town has its advantages for me, even though I am a 20 minute walk to the beach. The gals don't load up on make-up to spend a day at the beach, plus make-up tends to get smeary in heat and humidity. 

Nor does my countryside listing attract those who like to get dolled-up. A bit of eyeliner, if that, is pretty much all I've ever seen on my female guests.

[Mark116]

@Nedra9  We bought the cheapest black and white wash clothes we could find and we leave 1 of each rolled up in a basket in the bathroom, and for stays over 3 days we also provide make-up wipes.  Then, as part of our 'things about the house' message we mention the wash clothes and wipes and that we do this because there have been issues w/skin care products causing stains on bedding and towels.

It hasn't completely stopped towels and bedding getting ruined, but has improved things.

[Anonymous]

@Nedra9   It's normal in hosting that you have to become an expert in stain removal, and develop some crafty strategies for stain avoidance (like the aforementioned dark washcloths for makeup).

But guests deliberately running off with your towels is a very different matter. If this is a regular occurrence, either your room rate is too low or your towels are too valuable for a budget-rate listing.

[M199]

@Sarah977 

Same here, 25 minute drive to one of Canada's best beaches, Sauble Beach, Ontario.  11km of pure sand (until the summer tourist invasion).

[Scott57]

We have individually wrapped make-up removal towelettes available. We also took a dymo label maker and put "Please do not use towels to remove makeup" on the bathroom mirror. If all else fails, Costco now sells bundles of towels in each size, reasonably priced, that seem made specifically for Airbnb hosts.