For a booking to go smoothly, both hosts and guests must make sure that communication is open and that the rules are being followed as instructed in an Airbnb listing. One problem that many Airbnb guests will encounter is doing their laundry at their short-term rental. Airbnb hosts may or may not have their own house rules for guests regarding laundry, but some rules of thumb can make the process more seamless.
If you’re planning on staying at an Airbnb and wish to do laundry while you’re there, here are the key Airbnb laundry rules to keep in mind for a hassle-free stay.
Laundry Guidelines
Understanding the laundry guidelines before doing laundry is crucial to getting the best experience with your host when you book an Airbnb rental.
In some cases, hosts may offer laundry services, ensuring that sheets, towels, linens, and even your clothing are clean throughout your stay, enhancing your overall experience.
In other cases, hosts may have a property with a washing machine and dryer onsite that you can use to do laundry. This includes communal areas that you can access while you’re staying at their property.
In some rare cases, there may be Airbnb hosts that don’t have a washer and dryer but don’t allow for laundry to be done.
Understanding your situation before booking will make it much easier to know what to expect before you arrive at your rental.
Proper Sorting
Knowing how to sort laundry property is crucial when staying at an Airbnb, especially if you plan on doing some of the host’s laundry alongside some of your clothing items. Always sort by color and by fabric, make sure that you’re using a detergent that’s both good for the loads you’re doing and desirable for the host (some people may be sensitive to smells or certain types of detergents), and use the right products for certain loads such as non-chlorine bleach for products with white that have colors that may bleed. With proper sorting and thinking ahead, cleanliness for both parties is more than possible.
Machine Instructions
It’s important to keep in mind that not all laundry facilities will have the same types of washers and dryers. In some cases, you may end up encountering high-quality laundry appliances that are easy to use. In others, you may be dealing with communal washing machines that are a bit more finicky and require extra care and attention.
In either case, it’s important to read the provided machine instructions or do some quick research online. It’s also important to adhere to best practices, such as taking care not to overload the machine, clearing the machine of any debris, and emptying your pockets before you load your clothing into the machine so that hosts or the next guests don’t run into problems with the appliances you’re using.
Drying Tips
Drying laundry is just as important as washing your clothes and other items within Airbnb properly. Here are some Airbnb laundry do’s when it comes to drying.
- Always empty the lint trap after each drying session. This will prevent the buildup of lint that could potentially lead to a fire in an Airbnb, which is something neither you nor the host certainly want!
- Be careful not to dry things that shouldn’t be fully dried. Some items may need to air dry as they will shrink in the dryer if they’re not designed to be dried all the way. Take care to only dry things you know won’t shrink or aren’t of great importance to yourself and the host.
- Don’t leave while you’re drying clothes. It’s best to stay nearby in case something goes wrong. If the laundry room catches fire or the dryer malfunctions, you’ll want to address the issue immediately to prevent it from getting out of control.
Ironing Etiquette
Ironing is likely something that you’ll do if you need to prepare nice clothing for a special event. Keeping the ironing station clean and tidy is the main focus at an Airbnb host’s property. This means using the equipment properly, putting everything back in its place, and remaining attentive and vigilant while you’re ironing to avoid burns and other complications. The last thing you want to do is tack on extra cleaning fees because you made poor choices while ironing!
Stain Removal Methods
There are many tricks and hacks available for removing stains from fabrics, which can be especially useful if you accidentally stain bedding, furniture, or other areas of an Airbnb. However, not all of these tricks are effective. For example, using some laundry additives that are said to remove stains can cause issues for a washing machine. It’s always best to spot clean beforehand and use the appropriate detergent. If you need to run it through again, this is okay. It’s best to err on the side of caution than to damage an expensive piece of equipment on someone else’s property.
Using Common Area Facilities
Using common area facilities rather than facilities on a property comes with additional rules. Respecting other guests and making sure not to cause a commotion or cause issues is of utmost importance. Guests who are acting rowdy in common areas or taking other peoples’ clothing out of the washer and dryer are naturally going to face consequences for their actions. If you can behave yourself and use common area facilities as you would outside of Airbnb (such as in an apartment complex), you’ll have no issues with the Airbnb platform or your host.
Communicating with Hosts
Finally, and most importantly, always communicate with hosts! If it’s not clear whether or not guests can use the appliances or common area facilities, reach out to clarify this with your host. It’s much better to be straightforward with hosts and to ask them ahead of time than to assume that it’s okay and end up getting penalized for it later.
Stick to the Airbnb Laundry Rules! They Will Improve Your Stay
Doing laundry at your short-term rental or long-term rental is something that many guests are unsure of. While guidelines vary from property to property, some rules of thumb will help you navigate this common challenge. Use the tips above to not only make sure that doing laundry is allowed at your rental but also to do it in such a way that it causes no harm to the host or other residents in your vicinity!
