Every hotel manager and short-term rental host shares the same pain. Towels. People steal towels, ruin them, and leave bad reviews about the property when towels don’t meet their expectations.
You must decide how many towels for Airbnb are enough for each guest and pick the best Airbnb towels, taking into account absorbency, durability, and many other aspects. Good towels will affect the overall image of your property and spare you from negative reviews.
Towels belong to must-have amenities for your Airbnb every guest expects to see. That’s why you must purchase and stock high-quality towels for Airbnb guests and understand how to handle guest damage that will inevitably happen.
Learn how many towels per guest Airbnb you must provide, the best towels, and other important details in our guide.
How many towels should you provide per Airbnb guest?
Short-term rentals usually last up to 3 days, and one set of Airbnb towels is enough. By a set of towels, we mean:
- Two bath towels
- One hand towel
- One washcloth
Here is a simple formula to calculate it:
Total Towels = (Number of Guests) x (Towels per Guest)
So, if, for example, you have three guests, you will need to provide them with six bath towels, three hand towels, and three washcloth towels.
Some hosts risk placing no towels at their properties and directly state it in their listings. Don’t do that. Such an Airbnb towel policy may turn into a disaster and bring you tons of negative reviews.
It has happened to Giorgia219, who shares her experience in Airbnb Community Center:
“I do not provide essentials, as is expressly stated in my ad, however, the guy asks me in dm if there were towels and sheets and I replied that I would provide them without problems, to do him a favor. So I put clean sheets and two small towels in the bathroom, the guy comes in and starts complaining that there are not enough dryers and asks me to refund the towel that he was “forced” to buy.”
If you don’t want to end up in a story like that, make sure to provide enough towels. Four is the minimum, but sometimes you may need more.
When you may need more towels for Airbnb guests?
Four towels per guest seems like a lot, but sometimes it may not be enough and spoil the guest’s stay. Here are some cases when you should put additional towels:
- Length of stay. When a guest stays for more than three days, and you don’t have a washing machine or plan to replace towels, add one extra towel for each additional day of stay.
- Local customs. If you have property in a location where hotels and rental businesses provide more towels than usual, follow the rules. It will help prevent negative reviews and stand the competition with other Airbnb listings.
- Location. A house by a beach will need more towels than a flat in the city center. If you expect guests to go swimming, provide additional beach towels. They will appreciate your care and don’t take regular bath towels outside.
- Active lifestyle. Add a sports towel if you have a gym or host someone who runs every morning. It’s a small gesture that can make a lasting positive impression.
- Guest preferences. When a guest directly asks you to provide more towels before checking in or during the stay, do them a favor. You can even keep some extras in a closet for such cases.
- Seasonal. During hot and humid seasons, guests may use more towels as they need to take a shower more often. For winter, consider placing warmer showers to make guests feel at home.
Airbnb linen policy and rules for towels
If you wonder what officials say about how many towels for Airbnb you must provide, here are some insights from Airbnb linen policy:
- Bedding must include a bed sheet; a blanket, comforter, or top-sheet; and one sleeping pillow per guest with a pillowcase.
- Towel policy requires one towel per guest (but we believe you can do it better)
As you can see, Airbnb is not extra demanding but still recommends providing essential amenities for guests to increase bookings and make stays more comfortable.
How often should you change towels in your Airbnb?
There are two basic rules when it comes to changing towels for Airbnb guests:
- Change towels every 2-3 days or at least provide a spare towel if you cannot visit the rental property this often.
- Fully replace towels every three to six months or more often if the towels are white, as they lose appearance and start looking dirty faster.
Every new guest must get fresh towels when they check-in. Most hosts put them on a bed as a decoration, just like in hotels. People are used to it, and beds or closets are usually the first place where guests look for towels.
You can also equip the property with a washing machine, dryer, or drying rack to allow guests to wash towels if they get dirty and need instant cleaning.
Don’t forget about laundry capsules and softeners. If a guest stays for a longer period, you may also offer them a towel-washing service. The more options you have, the better. People love to have a choice.
What are the best towels for Airbnb?
The choice of towels is huge, and you can easily get lost if you have never bought towels for Airbnb guests. That’s why when picking what towels to buy, you should keep in mind the following characteristics:
- Durability. Prefer high-quality towels with reinforced edges that withstand frequent washing without losing softness.
- Absorbency. Buy towels with GSM of around 400 to 600 for the restroom and 300 to 400 for the beach or pool. High GSM ensures high absorbency.
- Comfort. Find soft, fluffy towels that look cozy and create a luxurious experience for guests.
- Aesthetic. White towels for Airbnb are generally recommended, but you can pick another pastel color that matches your interior design and style.
Check out some options of the best Airbnb towels:
- Best white towels for Airbnb here
- Best bath towels for Airbnb here
- Best sports towels for Airbnb here
- Best color towels for Airbnb here
Overall, Turkish Cotton is lightweight, thin, and dries very quickly. Bamboo towels have antibacterial and anti-allergenic properties, are thick and absorbent. Egyptian Cotton is another type of the best Airbnb towels. They have high-grade cotton and dry easily.
What color towels to pick for Airbnb?
Color is another significant detail. Most hosts prefer white towels for Airbnb guests, and we also think it’s the best Airbnb towels option.
They look more neat than colorful towels and are easier to clean since you can bleach them. If you want to add more color, the kitchen may be the right place to place towels with patterns.
Superhog’s Damage Protection service: Does it cover towels and sheets?
Damage Protection in Know Your Guest by Superhog covers towel damage and other property damage. It’s a short-term rental protection that provides broader protection than Airbnb policies. Subscribing to it, you get protection from $500 up to $5,000,000, depending on the selected plan.
| When we protect | When we don’t protect |
| Stained linens Smeared towels Unintentional guest damage Unsolicited smoking damage Unapproved party damage Delivery expenses of replaced items | Cosmetic damage Pet damage Wear and tear Management fees Maintenance expenses Approved party damage |
More about Superhog’s dispute resolution terms and process here.
Note that Damage Protection doesn’t cover general wear and tear. So, if you want to cover the expenses of replacing towels, we recommend selling damage waivers. The Damage Waiver service by Superhog allows you to accumulate an emergency fund and decide how to spend it on your own. You can find more tips on managing rental business expenses, including wear and tear, in our depreciation guide.
Book a Know Your Guest demo to better protect your property against damage.
Summing up
Towels for Airbnb guests are essential amenities you must take care of. That’s why it’s better to invest in quality towels and linen from the start to avoid trouble with guest complaints and negative reviews.
Soft, clean, and absorbent towels show guests you care about details. So make sure each guest gets at least four towels for their basic needs, and don’t forget to replace them if people stay longer than 2-3 days.
If you worry about guests stealing or damaging towels, consider Superhog’s damage protection plan. This service will protect you from unexpected financial losses caused by guests.
You can also download our depreciation guide for additional helpful tips on making your rental business more profitable and managing expenses like wear and tear.
Airbnb towel FAQs
