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New Airbnb Essentials
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items You don't need to buy all-new items for a short-term rental, but you do need some new things, like linens and clean cookware. And individually wrapped TP and eco-saavy products go a long way to getting 5-star reviews from guests!
Sections
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Getting Started
Linens
Bathroom Necessities
Kitchens that WOW
Beloved additions
Furniture that's worth it
Getting Started
These are the products I can't live without-- They make help running my Airbnb easy!
Good TP that's individually wrapped is great paper, and 50% of profits go to build toilets in Africa. I use their paper products (TP, Kleenex, Paper Towels) exclusively in my short-term rental, and once I started, my guests started to be more conciou...
Toilet paper that builds toilets | Who Gives A Crap USA
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I get rave reviews for our shampoo and conditioner from Puracy. It's a Texas-based company that uses natural ingredients and creates generous refills that are affordable & good for the environment and people. So many of my guests now use these at...
Natural Shampoo - Puracy
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If you're a small business owner looking for an easy way to enjoy the tax benefits of a corporation, Collective is an amazing partner. As my Airbnb became more profitable, I wanted to maximize my tax savings-- Collective does that! I highly recommend...
Collective
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World's Best Laundry Detergent
Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder (100 Loads)
If you have a TV, make it a Roku TV. It's the easiest & cleanest option. Your guests can log in and use all their subscriptions, and you can easily share your subscriptions remotely if you want. (If you share, then all your channel subscriptions ...
roku tv
I cannot live without this stain stick. It has never failed me. It's the secret weapon of vintage clothes dealers and STR owners everywhere!
ECOVER Stain Remover Stick, 3 Pack
This is how you eliminate odors in a listing! They're not expensive, and having one on hand will save you one day-- I promise!
Enerzen Ozone Generator 11000mg Industrial O3
Buy a few gallons of these and forget keeping an arsenal of cleaners. This is the best for mopping, mixing with water as a counter spray, and spraying on linens and upholstery between guests as a disinfectant and odor remover. I LOVE it.
Odoban
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Don't Start your short term rental listing without a FREE Airbnb Superhost Ambassador mentor! This program pairs new hosts with handpicked hosts who excel on Airbnb. We provide free mentoring through Airbnb from beginning your listing to hosting your...
Curious how to start hosting on Airbnb? Ask a Superhost
High quality glass spray bottles that last
Glass Spray Bottle - Empty Refillable 16 oz ...
Coway makes the very best air-fileters. I use them in my home, Airbnb, and my art studio. They are easy to maintain, look great, and are so quiet and efficient. I can't say enough nice things about them-- they are my work horses!
Shop Green True HEPA Air Purifiers
Linens
Quality linens can be affordable and durable. I recommend 100% linen for beetsheets & duvets-- it's long lasting, more enviromentally sound than cotton, and registers as “lux” to my guests. Also, they are awesome to sleep on!
Sheets Matter! these linen sheets are affordable, stand up to constant washing (and just keep looking better!) and feel luxe to guests, especially to folks who have never slept on linen before. I get constant comments about them!
Simple&Opulence 100% Washed Linen Sheet Set-King
Gorgeous linen sheets with great colors. For colored linen sheets, I've been very happy with Merry Feel. Their prices are great-- they feel far more expensive. They are softer out of the box than the Simple Opulence brand, and they have also proven d...
Merryfeel Linen Sheet Set King, 100% French Linen
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I am a big fan of Target's 400 thread count cotton sheets, especially the organic ones. The patterns hold up well-- much better than white!-- and they are such soft sheets that feel far more expensive than they are. I stock up on these every time the...
400 Thread Count Sheets from Target
Dish Towels. Like towels, you'll need plenty of clean dish towels on hand. Keeping your listing stocked with quality products encourages your guests to take better care of the space. Stock up on nice dish towels and replace them as necessary!
KAF Home Soho Kitchen Dish Towel Set of 10
A cute bath mat goes a long way to cheering up an imperfect bathroom. My first Airbnb was an old mobile home-- we made it kitschy and cool, and we always had bring bath mats to keep guests focused on what was new and clean! Sometimes the floors can b...
Irresistible bath mat that makes your photos
Bright pillows are THE a cheapest way to make your listing photos pop-- and these are unbeatable. Order pillow inserts separately, and keep clean cases on the pillows in use. I refresh my pillows frequently-- and with 10 cases for $50, there is not a...
The perfect throw pillow covers!
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You will need a mattress encasement for each bed, in addition to 2 mattress pads per bed. This is a great encasement!
Linenspa Zippered Mattress Encasement - Waterproof & ...
You need a pillow protector for every bed pillow. Essential for any STR host!
Best Bed Pillow Protectors
One of my favorite down pillows. I highly recommend you keep both down and synthetic pillows on your beds. Amazing bedding makes an enormous difference to guest satisfaction. Its where you should invest your money!
Lincove Cloud Canadian White Down Pillow - 625 FP
In addition to down, have feather pillows too. we have been very happy with these-- long lasting and they feel more expesive than they are!
puredown Goose Down Feather Pillow Set, Std/Queen
Poly pillows are so cheap, you can keep an extra stack of four in the closet and help all those guests who need multiple pillos get a good nights sleep. Plan to replace poly pillows yearly becasu ethey do wear out far more quickly than feather and do...
Utopia Bedding Bed Pillows, Set of 2, Standard
In addition to the 400 count, these 250 Organic cotton are wonderful sheet sets! Snatch up whatever cute patterns you can-- these are a reason I will always pop into Target. Quality that far exceeds the price!
250 Thread Count Organic Percale Sheet Set - Threshold™
These are the best towels in the most beautiful colors-- the internet agrees-- And you'll want a set for yourself, too! Use my code for $50 off! refer.frontgate.com/elise.lauterbach
Frontgate Resort Collection™ Bath Towels
The Best Towels for most Short Term Rentals
Bath Towel Collections
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Quince's linen sheets are well sewn and made to last (Through a pair in that cart for your own bed, while you're at it!)
Organic Sheets & Pillowcases
Bathroom Necessities
It's not just towels & TP. Thoughtful details go a long way to making a 5-star listing
Make up towels might not be necessary if you primarily host hikers, but in some areas hosts consider them a must! If you find yourself throwing away too many stained towels and washcloths, pick up a pack of these!
Arkwright Makeup Remover Towels (13x13, 6 Pack)
Q-tips and cotton pads make guests feel cared for, and they help reduce wear on your linens. This holder is clean and modern and would look great on a vanity.
Tecbeauty 2 Slot Cotton Swab Ball Qtip Holder Jar
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Vanity holders with a-tips, flossing sticks, cotton balls or pads, and hold bath salts for the bath make a huge impression. You'll be seen as an extremely thoughtful!
Tbestmax Pack of 6 Qtip Holder, 10-Ounce Jars
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Lavender Bath Salts should be required at an Airbnb! I'm shocked how few hosts provide this in a little canister by the tub. It's so cheap, but people LOVE it.
Lavender Pure Epsom Salt for a lux calming bath
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An affordable add-on to your STR bathroom that will set your listing apart. Keep a glass canister filled by the tub-- your guests will thaank you!
Dr Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, Soothe & Sleep
Buy your dish and hand soap in bulk and refill these sturdy glass bottles. Fewer labels means less visual clutter, so your space can shine. Help your guests see how reusable things are best!
8oz Clear Glass Pump Bottles (4-Pack)
The best price/value and quality for your refillable handsoap! The fragrance free option means you can scent it yourself with whatever essential oils you prefer, or leave it unscented for guests with sensitivities.
Ginger Lily Farms All-Purpose Liquid Hand Soap
Kitchens that WOW
A thoughtfully composed kitchen makes a HUGE difference to a listing. Here's my list of Musts.
A quality corkscrew sooths the mind
Stainless Steel Wing Corkscrew Wine Opener
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Splurge on Instagram-worth Cermaic Non-stick pots and pans and watch your guests tag you (free advertising) as they cook each meal! Guests LOVE using things in rentals that they might be too hestitatnt to try at home-- like COLOR!
Instagram-worthy Ceramic Non-stick pots and pans
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Fun, Multi-purpose small bowls that look great!
Set of 6 Multi Colored Mini-Bowls by French Bull
The Best Mixing Bowls that look great and function eautifully. And again, they're attractive, ready to figure in imporptu phot shoots that get your listing noticed!
KitchenAid Essential Mixing Bowls
Your guests will feel like millionaires eating off these stylish gold utensils-- Prefare for compliments!
Matte Gold Silverware Set for 8, 40-Piece
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PLEASE buy a decent coffee maker for the space-- ditch the single use pods (consider the planet, folks!). And a thermal carafe means "I know you are on vacation and you want to relax and savor your coffee!". A bag of locally roasted coffee goes a lon...
A quality coffee make says "I see you."
Touches like pour-over coffee support are mandatory on the coasts & appreciated every where else!
Inexpensive Pour-Over Kettle for Coffee Lovers
Like coffee, some guests need tea to be happy (waving!). Don't make them use a pot-- a cute kettle is cheap & looks great on the stove. It's an investment in design & use!
Don't forget the tea drinkers! Fun color kettle
Cover the bases! The best Airbnbs make room for all hot beverage drinkers!
Best French Press, It Will Last!
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The most versatile objects in a kitchen. Cast iron isn't just for southerners (though we do require it!)
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 3 Skillet Bundle
A good toaster is an STR requirement-- it doesn't need to be fancy, but you want it to be easy to keep clean.
Toaster
Affordable Stainless Set
Stainless Steel Cookware
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Wood utensils make your pans last longer, but they need to be of a high quality, dense wood like olive so they will truly get clean & look better with age.
Olive Wood Utensils
The Classic French Bistro glass. It’s the glass that pleases everyone, and lasts forever.
Duralex Picardie Clear Tumbler Set, 10.5 oz, 6 pcs
No one has ever regretted buying these— they last forever and look great.
Duralex Picardie Clear Tumbler Set, 12.62 oz, 6pc
These classic French bistro tumbler are perfect for milk AND Cocktails. They are durable and a pleasure to use!
Duralex Picardie Tumbler Set of 6, 17.62 oz
Unlike other kids cup, these won't chip with use, and parents will appreciate a non-plastic option. You'll appreciate the grippy body that helps prevent spills!
Stainless Steel Cups for Kids 8 oz. (4-Pack)
Made from bamboo, these are great bowls for your youngest visitors!
WeeSprout Bamboo Kids Bowls, Set of Four 10 oz
Made from bamboo, and in a variety of great colors, these kids plates and bowls will be appreciated by your littlest visitors-- and make spills harder!
Grow Forward Bamboo Kids Plates and Bowls Set
An affordable, highly-rated tool set. This would be fine for a weekender's place or if you're just getting started. If you're hosting longer stays, I would buy pieces separately with an eye to buying quality pieces. But this set is a good start and w...
Umite Chef Khaki Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set, 34PCS
Every kitchen needs a very thin spatula. Buy a second one for yourself— it’s a game changer!
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Turner - Medium
Get a good can opener and keep a couple of cans of tomatoes stashed in the pantry with some pasta. Your guests will bless you!
Gorilla Grip Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Can Opener
This is a STELLAR ice cream scoop, and with a dozen colors to choose from, it’s easy to find a good one that will pop in your drawers. Your guests will love it!
Spring Chef Ice Cream Scoop, Soft Grip, Magenta
Food storage containers are often overlooked, but if you’re hosting longer stays, be sure to have some. Glass gets perfectly clean, unlike yucky stained plastic !
Vtopmart 8 Pack Glass Food Storage Containers
Metal cups that nest. A good buy!
11Pcs Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons Set
You can definitely get by with one measuring cup, but make it a big one!
Pyrex 4 Measuring Cup, Clear with Red Graphics
This is the ONLY affordable knife block set I would ever recommend. Don’t think you can pay less and get functional knives— You will have guests who love to cook, and they will appreciate *real* knives. At about $100 it’s still a steal for decent wor...
HENCKELS 15-Piece Knife Set with Block, German Engineered
Solid starter utensil set
Berglander 13-Piece Stainless Steel Utensils Set
The best price/value for green refillable liquid dish soaps that I have found. I love this company's quality and price point. And the unscented option means you can scent the product with your signature scents, or leave it unfragrancd for guests with...
Fragrance-Free Plant-Based Dish Soap
Once you use them, you'll tell everyone! These Wettex Swedish dishcloths are like a sponge and a dishcloth had a baby-- a wonderful baby! I am so excited to leave these for my guetss, because I know they will love them as much as I do, and incorporat...
Wettex Swedish Dishcloths 10 Pack Kitchen ...
My favorite friendly dish soaps are from Clean Cult. The box is a good size to leave under the sink, so folks can refill, and learn about a great product. A little bit goes a long way, and the scents are delish.
Cleancult Dish Soap Liquid Refill 32oz
Beloved additions
Guests love a record player…cheap, easy to stock with records from the thrift store, and providing memorable fun, your guests will love using a simple portable record player. Ours love it, and its a great inexpensive amenity to help level up your lis...
Portable Record Player
How fabulous is this purple chair-- photo popping with a great price!
Tufted club chair
Hero patio or porch grill-- small, uses barely any charcoal, and my guests get genuinely excited about it!
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Jr. Charcoal Grill in Gray E86714
The Buy-it-one-time hammock. Pawley's Island Hammocks are an investment, and my guests love them.
Our Original Rope Hammocks
A Solo Stove is probably the safest fire-pit option, and they also read as quite posh to your guests-- and no smoke blowing in their eyes! I highly recommend them over a cheap fire pit that's going to rust out. Unless you build out a pit with masonry...
Bonfire Smokeless Fire Pit
If you have outdoor space, you need to light it, and Italian-style solar powered string lights are a great option. Just be sure to install a wire to wrap them on-- they need a partner-- they can't fly solo! And be sure you have a clearly marked landi...
Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Outdoor String Lights
Furniture that's worth it
Thrift everything you can, hit your local antique malls, commission local artists, but if you need to buy a new piece, get a well-made sofa, and some fun accent chairs that make the listing pop. (But avoid upholstered dining furniture-- the mess!)
Interior Define makes quality, dependable upholstered furniture is truly durable fabrics. I am a huge fan of thrifting and upcycling most of your Airbnb interior, but you need a quality sofa or sectional and some comfortable, sturdy upholstered chair...
Interior Define
Light wood furniture shows dust much mess easily than dark furniture, keeps your space bright, and is easier to maintain. I really like this double-layered coffee table from World Market-- it's classic and clean.
Everett Wood Coffee Table - World Market