There is nothing quite like sliding into a warm bed with deliciously soft sheets. It is one of the most important parts of an Airbnb to get right. In fact, it could be the difference between a good review and an average one. So once and for all, what are the best sheets for Airbnb?

Overall, good quality microfiber sheets are by far the best sheets for Airbnb. They are light, soft, don’t wrinkle, are easy to wash, take minutes to dry and best of all guests love them.

What? A microfiber blend comes up trumps over cotton? We haven’t come to this conclusion lightly. We have taken into account cost, durability, suitability, washing/drying time and maintenance. See further down why we think microfiber is the way to go.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the best sheets to use for Airbnb. Which sheets to use for which climate, what colour, where to find the best sheets and how to care for them.

So hold onto your pillows and let’s dive in!

Best sheets for Airbnb – Microfiber vs Cotton

Let’s start with the most common question of all – what are the best sheets for Airbnb? When it comes to the best sheets for Airbnb, there are two main contenders – Microfiber vs Cotton. So who wins?

So let’s put the gloves on and let cotton and microfiber battle it out for supremacy once and for all!

Microfiber vs Cotton – Who wins?

It would seem each fibre type has its own pros and cons, but after careful consideration, microfiber wins by a nose and here’s why.

• Microfiber is half the cost of cotton of equal quality
• It dries three times faster than cotton (a huge plus if you frequent a laundromat)
• You can fit more sheets in the washing machine compared to cotton
• They take up half the space in the cupboard as cotton sheets do
• They are always super soft to the touch
• It is harder to stain a microfiber sheet beyond repair
• They are hypoallergenic

The only con we could find about microfiber is that they are not overly breathable in hot climates. So if your Airbnb is in the tropics or somewhere that is warm year-round, you may want to consider good quality cotton.

Best colour sheets for Airbnb

First, let’s make one of the tougher decisions when it comes to choosing sheets… the colour. The best colour for your Airbnb sheets is by far white. This does seem counterproductive, I mean white shows up every little mark and stain right? But this is exactly why you should choose white.

White sheets give the feel of a fresh, clean and crisp bed. It goes with any colour scheme and photographs really well.

It is the only colour that can be salvaged if you find a stain that won’t come out. So how exactly do you remove a stain if it won’t budge in a normal wash?

How to deal with sheet stains:

1. Spray the stain with a stain remover or make a paste with a powder such as Sard or spot clean the stain with a soap bar.
2. Once you have treated the stain, soak the sheets for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight. I recommend soaking with OxiClean or Borax, or something similar.
3. Run the wash cycle after you have soaked the sheets for 8 hours.
4. On completion of the wash cycle, drop in a cup of bleach or vinegar depending on your preference to chemicals and voila! Your sheets will be stain free and white.

Finally, if the stain is still there after you have followed the above steps, there is one more option. You will need some more intensive spot treatment with paste, vinegar, soap or bleach. And then rinse and repeat until the stain fades or disappears completely.

Best Sheets to Keep you Cool

By far the best sheets for Airbnb to keep your guests cool at night are natural fibres in a loose weave. Again, opting for lighter colours, like white, will also help to keep the temperature down while sleeping.

Here are the two best types of sheets that will keep you cool in summer.

Cotton – When choosing cotton sheets, avoid sateen and opt for a percale weave with a 400-thread count. You may pay a little more for this but your guests will feel the difference. Happy guest = Excellent reviews. For an example of what to look for these sheets fit the bill.

Bamboo – Bamboo is another natural fibre that will keep your guests cool in summer. It’s worth noting they are more affordable than good quality cotton. Another bonus is they do a great job at wicking away moisture.

Best sheets for winter

As the colder weather blows in, your guests will expect a nice warm bed to slide into each night. Thicker weaves, soft warm fibres, and brushed finishes help to keep your guests feeling happy and warm.

Flannel – While flannel isn’t the most luxurious choice it is easily one of the cosiest. Especially when it’s freezing outside! But keep in mind that flannel wears a lot faster than other bedding. So what I suggest is using cotton pillowcases in a matching colour to the sheets.

Microfiber – Brushed microfiber is soft to the touch and feels luxurious on the skin. A good quality set won’t break the bank and the best part is you wont need to iron them as they flatten out on their own.

Silk – The ultimate in luxury, silk sheets exude prestige. It is a natural fibre that is hypoallergenic and is great warm climates. But beware, silk does require extra care when washing and does damage easily.

As a result, your guests will appreciate you choosing sheets to keep them warm. This can lead to good reviews, which of course leads to a better Airbnb ranking.

What is the most durable fabric for sheets?

If you’re an Airbnb host, you may be wondering what is the most durable fabric for sheets? Well, when it comes to buying sheets, you want to get the most bang for your buck.

Sheets used in hospitality environments get a good workout. In other words, your Airbnb needs something tough that handles the constant turnover.

What to look for:

• Look for woven fabrics (if it doesn’t stretch, it’s woven)
• Avoid anything knitted
• 100% Egyptian cotton is a sure bet
• A thread count between 400 – 800
• Avoid thread counts above 1000
• Sheets with deep pockets account for shrinkage over time
• Opt for long-staple cotton over short-staple cotton
• A percale weave is tougher and will still look great after many washes
• A good quality high denier Microfiber

In summary, stick to this guide and your sheets will last you years before showing any signs of wear.

What Sheets do Hotels use?

The ultimate experience when staying in a fancy hotel is by far the bed. Super soft, silky smooth sheets that glide over your skin and almost instantly put you to sleep. If only we could replicate this in our Airbnb! So what sheets to hotels use?

A hotel will almost always use cotton blend sheets on their beds. They opt for a luxurious thread count of between 600 and 1000 and will commonly have a white stripe pattern with a sateen finish.

Why do they use a cotton blend and not 100% cotton? The main reason is for the feel and texture of the sheet. A high thread count cotton sheet on its own can feel a little stiff. So they blend the threads with another fibre like polyester which gives it that silky smooth feel.

How do I take care of my bedding?

Ok, so you have chosen the best sheets for your Airbnb, now we need to look after them so they last.

My number one tip is to always have three sets of sheets on rotation for each bed. This drastically increases the durability on each set as you aren’t using them day in day out.

When it comes to looking after your sheets the main areas you want to focus on is of course how you wash and store them.

First, let’s look at how to wash your sheets.

How to care for Airbnb sheets

1. Use a mild detergent and wash on a cold or warm setting.
2. Avoid using fabric softeners. Yes I know, they smell great but they leave a waxy coating on your fibres which will weaken your fabric over time.
3. Always use a low heat setting when drying your sheets in a dryer. Over drying your sheets will leave them wrinkled and your fibres damaged.
4. Remove your sheets when they are just on dry and fold them straight away. Do this and you won’t need to get out the iron later on.

Now when it comes it storing your sheets the main thing you want to avoid is moisture and sunlight. Store them in a cupboard or container on a high to mid-shelf with good ventilation.

If you want to add a fresh scent to your sheets, place some dryer sheets in between each set for that just-washed smell.

How often should I replace my bedsheets?

As an Airbnb host, you may be asking yourself how often should I replace my bedsheets?

Your sheets get a pretty tough workout during the year, so replacing them is going to be inevitable. But when it is it time for your sheets to throw in the towel.

In general, it will take anywhere from 6 to 12 months for your sheets to start showing signs of wear. Anything from rips, stains, pilling or fading can land your sheets in the unusable basket.

Once your sheets have started to deteriorate you must replace them. Always remember your guest experience should always be number one priority. As a result, bedding plays a huge part, especially when it comes to good Airbnb reviews.

eBay is my favourite place for picking up the best sheets for my Airbnb. I find you can always pick up great quality sheets at bargain-basement prices on eBay.

In addition, most top sellers offer great discounts when purchasing 2 or more sets. When you pair this with an eBay discount (anywhere from 5% – 20% off), you get huge savings!

Remember that your Airbnb cleaning fee can cover the costs of replacing any damaged sheets.

Airbnb Linen Service

Choosing the best sheets for your Airbnb can be a tough ask for hosts. There is so much to think about, plus you also have to launder them yourself. If you are lacking in time, you may consider hiring a linen service. But what is a linen hire service?

Let’s use an example of a two-bedroom Airbnb with two queen beds and one bathroom. For this property, you will need two sets of queen bedding, four towels, for hand towels and a bath mat.

At the start of the week, you may have 3 turnovers that you have to do. So you order 3 sets of everything from the linen hire service who deliver the linen to you.

At the end of the week, the delivery service will come and collect your used bedding. Next they swap it out for fresh bedding washed and ready to go. It’s that easy!

However, with any convenience comes a hefty price tag. We received quotes from five different hire companies ranging from $30 all the way up to $55 per set.

This may seem expensive but think of how much time you will save. No trips to the laundry or waiting for the dryer to finish. If a sheet gets stained you don’t have to deal with the removal. And you won’t have the upfront costs of purchasing your own inventory of linen.

In summary, you need to decide what’s more important – saving time or saving money? If you are lacking in time, a linen hire service may just be your ticket. If you have time to do the laundry yourself, it will increase the profitability of your Airbnb.

In conclusion…

It can be hard when starting out to know what to look for. Your sheets are your number one asset when it comes to running an Airbnb so you want to get it right.

Here is a quick rundown of what to look for when heading out to the shops. This will ensure you buy the best sheets for your Airbnb;

Best sheets for Airbnb

• Buy quality – Aim for at least 400 thread count in cotton and 1000 thread count in microfiber.
• Stick to white sheets, they will be the most durable and look great in photos.
• Buy for your climate – Stick to cotton in hot climates
• Have a minimum of 3 sets for each bed
• Don’t forget to keep an eye out online for bulk specials and use the discount codes.

Happy shopping Airbnbers!