Wrecked sheets

[Carole1221]

we had a very first guest. I tried to wash the sheets and there’s a terrible stain in it. I don’t know how to bring it up or what I should say or do. Or just chalk it up to a loss.? Any advice would be helpful.

[Joelle43]

Hello @Carole1221 

Well that's a pretty harsh start if this was your first guest😓 

We used to be able to claim for damages for stained sheets but Airbnb have changed their policy and consider it as part of doing business.

Stained sheets are part and parcel of this  business I'm afraid and I can't tell you how many hours I have spent trying to get them out of my sheets but the key to getting them out is to treat them BEFORE you put them in the machine as some stains will be sealed into the fabric once they hit the hot water in the cycle.

You're starting out so you really need good reviews and any claim you make (it goes first to the guest by the way to accept or refuse) will undoubtedly result in a lower than average score and review so personally I would abstain.   Don't mention it to the guest either, let them think that you're a fab host and hopefully they'll give you a great review.

What colour are these sheets?  If white, there are loads of options on the net but it would help to know what kind of stain it is.  Could it be a tanning product maybe?  

[Rebecca1603]

I agree with Joelle43. It’s a bummer this was your first experience. I hate to say that you will be in store for much worse than stained and ruined sheets. My advice would be to make sure you buy 2 of everything so you can replace the ruined/stained and broken things quickly. Also make sure you have mattress protectors on your beds. They make nice ones (can buy on Amazon) that aren’t like the crinkly plastic ones. Guests won’t even know they are on the bed and they protect your mattress from…everything. Also pillow protectors under the pillowcases. Seems redundant but they have saved my pillows from behind ruined when stains seeped through the pillowcases, and they are washable just like the mattress covers. I hope you have better success with guests from now on! But also prepare yourself for the not-so-ideal guests.

[Paula]

Sorry about this, @Carole1221, this is a very common topic in the Community, and I’ve collected a few helpful threads on 👉how to handle stains for you here.

Please feel free to adjust the keywords in the search bar to find more conversations.

Regards,

[Yvonne-and-Earl0]

We try to address stains as quickly as possible.

[Velizara1]

Unfortunately it happens very often- I started hosting with premium bed linen from TAC- a Turkish premium brand. After several stains and ruined bed linen, now I use Jusk , the cheapest options from cotton 🤔 

[Vin8167]

@Carole1221 For what it’s worth, we moved from all white to pattered, and then to dark gray sheets, to contain such costs. We learned quickly that guests think of Airbnbs as commercial hotels that are cheaper overall for them while giving them greater amenities and power. So they are callous with leaving stains on towels and sheets; food, blood, makeup, bodily fluids, and washing our white sheets with their colored clothes, chasing daily freshness. Now we use West Elm gray sheets that have a stonewashed silky feel to them and nothing shows on them. We also replicated that with our towels. A tip we learned that made a difference to our lives and pockets.

[Trish484]

Hi there, which style/material sheets do you get from West Elm please? Thanks!

[Yolanda506]

Hi there!  I find that most stains will usually come out with bleach or Oxiclean stain remover. But bad stains, hard to remove ones, I just throw out the sheets. I had a guest once throw-up on my sheets and I told my cleaners, just throw everything out. There are certain things that just ick me out and I want to make sure my guests always have crisps, clean and fresh sheets. Hope this helps.

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Carole1221 

Welcome Aboard! 

Sheets are a disposable item, we've learned. Not to worry! 

[Paula]

Hello @Carole1221,  I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the hosts' comments and perspectives.

Please keep us posted.