Discussed in the post “How to Clean your Airbnb“, as a host continuously cleaning and washing linens is something you must learn to expect. While guests are staying at your home you must keep things in Tip-Top shape. After each guest checks out you must go through the list and ensure no traces of the previous temporary resident were left behind. This includes all hair, specs of dirt, stains, and smells.
I have washed the bedding and sheets of multiple people at this point. Every time a guest checks out I change out their sheets, duvet covers, and towels. Sometimes I also wash the duvet comforter that is inside of the cover. Made from down-alternative, these duvets wash between every few visitors maintaining freshness. Through this process of washing these items, I was shocked to learn that sometimes just one round in the washing machine is not enough.
Smell Test the Bedding
I was going about my business like any other day cleaning the room and washing the bedding. I put the sheets into the washing machine and put them on the same cycle that is usually used. After the sheets had completed the washing cycle, I loaded them into the dryer and continued to clean the rest of my home.
When I began to pull the sheets out of the dyer the air was filled with a funk. I was not sure what was suddenly causing this since no “dirty” items were in the area and there were only “clean” sheets. I sniffed around and discovered the smell was coming directly from the sheets. These sheets that I had supposedly just put through the washing and drying cycles now had the funkiest older on them.
This caused me to pause. Did I put detergent in the machine? What was on them that they smelled so bad? I did not see any type of stains. A ring was present from the liquid soap that was left on the counter from when I had originally loaded the machine. I had put in soap after all. This was one strong funk! I had no other choice, but to put them back through the entire cycle starting all over again.
Washing of the Sheets Round 2, 3, 4..
I was shocked when I took out the sheets the second time around and they still stunk. Never had I ever come across sheets that smelled after taking them out of the washing machine. At least this time I was smart and did a smell test before putting them in the dryer. I couldn’t believe that anyone could get such an odor trapped into a material! Six washes later the sheets finally smelled fresh. Yes I just wrote that – 6 washes later I finally got the sheets smelling fresh and clean!
Was this a One Time Thing?
This was one of my earlier guests. I am fearful to report that yes indeed, I have had this problem on more than one occasion. Somehow someway some people are stronger than the detergent and the machine. I do not skimp on the amount of soap used and I do not skimp and refuse to use anything less than the regular wash cycles. However, it is what it is. These weird (sometimes smelly) nuances are some of the things you will come across when hosting.
Takeaway when Airbnb Cleaning
As stated above, this type of thing happens. It is important to be aware of it. I suggest using the smell test whenever possible. Sometimes one round in the washer/dryer cycle is just not enough. Additionally, sometimes the funk becomes more apparent after they have been dried. This adds so much extra time to your cleaning schedule so it is highly recommended that you have an extra set of all linens when smelly problems arise. This is also why it is recommended to use a duvet cover instead of a comforter as mentioned in “Why the Duvet is a Must when hosting an Airbnb“. And always remember, guests coming to your home want and deserve fresh smelling linens. No one wants to smell the previous guest within the home, let alone on their sheets.