Should You Have Blankets In Airbnb Short-Term Rentals?

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I have a lot of great information about Airbnb linens in my Best Airbnb Bedding blog post, but today, I would like to elaborate on one hot topic! And that is whether or not you should have blankets in Airbnb rentals.

This Airbnb hosting blog post will cover throw blankets in the living room areas and Airbnb bedroom blankets. And, as always, there is a lot to consider here. I will break this down for you and share my thoughts about Airbnb blankets. Then, you can make your own decision!

Blankets in Airbnb Rentals

You may wonder why this needs a dedicated blog post. Blankets are great, right? It’s a cozy way to make people feel at home in your Airbnb. However, as someone who also stays in many Airbnbs worldwide during our family travels, I can tell you it is a significant pain point.

What do I mean by pain point?

Anything is a pain point if it leaves you open to failure. These are the “no good deed goes unpunished” moments.

For example, in my baby-friendly Airbnb post, I mention how I prefer a wooden mini crib over a pack-and-play. This is because pack-and-plays get dirty and are difficult to clean. So, while you think you are leaving a nice amenity, it can potentially be a big turnoff to guests if not pristine.

This Airbnb hosting blog post takes the same mindset. Including blankets in Airbnb rentals is one of the things that you have to do right or just not do at all!

So, let’s look at the pros and cons of having blankets in Airbnb short-term rentals.

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PROS: Including Blankets in Your Airbnb

What are some of the arguments for including blankets in Airbnb rentals?

Blankets are cozy. Who doesn’t love snuggling up under a comfortable blanket? They make people feel at home in your vacation rental.

Blankets provide extra bedding. Some guests prefer to sleep with a lot of bedding and expect to have an extra blanket available.

Sometimes, they are 100% necessary. If you have a sofa bed, you will need to provide sheets and a high-quality blanket. In this case, you can’t get around using them.

CONS: Including Blankets in Your Airbnb

So, why would you choose not to have blankets in Airbnb properties?

Blankets need to be cleaned often. Why is this a con? Because, at most short-term rentals, the blankets are not washed between guests. I have stayed at numerous Airbnbs where I grabbed a blanket and immediately saw long hairs and stains. If you want to provide throw blankets, you must get a commitment from your cleaners that they will wash them between guests.

Guests use your blankets for other purposes. Trust me. My cleaners have found my blankets soiled and sandy. Obviously, they were brought to the beach and used as a beach/picnic blanket.

The best blankets will walk away. I have had a half dozen of my Airbnb blankets go missing. They are cozy, so I am not surprised!

Blankets in Airbnbs: Things to Consider

Here are my thoughts on this. Providing blankets at your Airbnb is a great touch, but you have to nail it. Otherwise, you open yourself up to a guest complaint.

We do not provide extra blankets in our Airbnb bedrooms. However, we do include these soft, top-rated, full-size blankets for the sofa bed. You can see them pictured below. This is similar to blankets used in hotels vs at home.

My Airbnb blankets are intentionally white (not color), allowing my cleaners to launder them in hot water with the sheets, duvet cover, bleach, or OxiClean as needed. This is why we use white bath and hand towels, too!

Choosing The Best Blankets For Your Airbnb

If you want to provide extra bedding-style blankets, here are my recommendations. We use the first ones listed, and they are really soft! I often have guests rave that they are the perfect blanket. Besides, they are always in stock and easy to replace or replenish as needed. Just read the reviews!

But all of them are some of the best blankets for Airbnb rentals.

Sofa Bed & Bedroom Blankets

Bedsure Blanket Soft Lightweight Plush

Bedsure 100% Cotton Blankets

Woven Textural Striped Bed Throw

Comfy Cubs Breathable Blankets

Cacala Muslin Throw Blanket

Airbnb Throw Blankets

If you want to provide throw blankets in the living spaces, I highly recommend a material that will not attract hair or lint. While they may not be cozy, my recommendation would be to consider thinner, muslin-style blankets like the first one shown below.

You want to avoid delicate or difficult-to-wash materials. In that situation, you will find that they get folded and put back more often than they get laundered. Cotton or polyester is generally better than fur or mohair-style blankets.

Decorative Woven Throw Blanket

Woven Striped Throw Blanket

KyraHome 100% Organic Cotton Throw Blanket

Cotton Throw Blanket for Couch

Battilo Home White Throw Blanket for Couch

More Airbnb Hosting Tips

That wraps up this short but sweet discussion about blankets in Airbnb vacation rentals. I hope you found it helpful! If you want to access more of my Airbnb hosting resources, you can click on the Airbnb section of my blog.

Or start with my FREE 5-Star Airbnb Hosting Guide, which walks you through everything in an easy-to-follow manner.

Also, I invite you to join my Airbnb Hosting Group on Facebook! It’s a wonderful, safe space to ask questions and get input from fellow hosts!