Washing bed linen and towels for short-term rentals: temperatures, stock and storage

Wash bed linen and towels for guest accommodation after every guest, at the highest temperature permitted by the label, with ordinary detergent and without overloading the drum. Then dry the linen completely, preferably in a tumble dryer, and store it separately from dirty linen. To keep up with guest turnovers, have at least three sets of bed linen and towels for each bed.

Why laundry matters for rentals

Clean bed linen is the first thing a guest checks on arrival. In its host rules, Airbnb states that the accommodation should be clean before arrival and cleaned between each stay, including washing the linen. Laundry is therefore a fixed part of every changeover, not a job done "as needed".

This article deals only with linen: temperatures, stock, storage and stains. You can find the complete procedure for cleaning a flat between guests in the article Airbnb cleaning between guests: a checklist for quick turnovers.

Temperature and programme: start with the label

The care label on the linen is decisive. Care symbols on labels are internationally standardised, and their meaning is explained by GINETEX. The number in the wash tub symbol is the highest washing temperature in degrees Celsius, which you must not exceed.

For rentals, it is worth buying bed linen and towels that can withstand higher temperatures and a tumble dryer. Linen that may only be washed at 30 °C on a gentle programme is harder to keep in good condition with frequent turnovers. If the label does not permit a higher temperature, follow it, even if you would like to wash at a higher temperature "to be safe".

How hot is "hygienic" water?

In healthcare, according to the CDC recommendations on laundry and bedding, washing in hot water of at least 71 °C for at least 25 minutes is commonly stated. The CDC also states that washing at a lower temperature can reduce microbial contamination too, provided the washing machine programme, detergent and its dosage are under control. A further effect is added by the temperature during drying and, above all, ironing.

A home washing machine is not an industrial laundry, so for everyday operation a simple rule follows: the highest temperature the label allows, detergent dosed according to the packaging, and thorough drying.

Washing procedure after a guest leaves

1. Strip the bed linen and towels carefully and do not shake them. The CDC recommends handling soiled linen with as little agitation as possible, so that dust and fibres do not get into the air.
2. Put dirty linen straight into a bag or basket intended only for dirty laundry, not on the floor or on a clean bed.
3. Inspect the linen for stains and treat them immediately while they are fresh (see below).
4. Sort the linen by label and colour: white bed linen separately from coloured towels.
5. Do not overfill the drum. Large duvets and covers need space to be washed through properly. You will find the maximum load for the given programme in the washing machine manual.
6. Dose the detergent according to the packaging, water hardness and how soiled the linen is. Overdosing does not help; the detergent is harder to rinse out.
7. Take the linen out immediately after washing. Damp linen left in the drum starts to smell.
8. Clean the washing machine regularly, otherwise even clean linen will smell. The procedure is described in the article How to clean a washing machine: drum, seal, detergent drawer and pump filter.

Bleach and chemicals

Use bleach only where the label permits it. Always read the product label, wear gloves and ventilate. Never mix products containing chlorine with acids (for example vinegar or limescale removers) or with products containing ammonia. Test a new product first on a hidden area, such as the hem of a cover.

Drying and ironing

Linen must be completely dry before it is put away, including inside the seams and in the corners of covers. Damp linen turns musty in a wardrobe. A tumble dryer is practical for quick turnovers, but follow the tumble dryer symbol on the label. When line drying, bear in mind that thick towels take significantly longer to dry than bed linen.

Ironing is not necessary, but according to the CDC, the temperature during ironing adds a further hygienic effect. If you iron, observe the number of dots on the label.

How many sets of linen to keep in rotation

The number of sets depends on how often guests change and how quickly you can wash and dry the linen. As a starting point, the rule of three sets per bed has proved its worth:

• Set 1: on the bed for the current guest.
• Set 2: in the wash or drying.
• Set 3: clean in reserve, in case the washing is not finished in time, the linen is damaged or a stain remains.

If you have turnovers almost every day or wash off the premises, add a fourth set. The same applies to towels: allow one large and one small towel per guest at maximum occupancy, plus spares. Also think of the bath mat and the kitchen tea towels, which are washed together with the rest.

A practical advantage is having all sets of the same colour and type. They are easy to combine, guests cannot tell the difference between an "old" and a "new" set, and worn items are replaced one at a time.

How to store clean linen

For clean linen, the CDC stresses that it should stay dry and not come into contact with contamination, and that clean and dirty linen should be transported separately. For a small accommodation, this means:

• Store clean linen in a closed wardrobe or a lidded box, not on an open shelf in the bathroom.
• Fold it in complete sets (duvet cover, pillowcase, fitted sheet), which speeds up making the bed.
• If you transport linen from home or from a laundry, use separate bags for clean and for dirty linen. Never use bags for dirty linen for clean linen.
• A lockable wardrobe or box for the host prevents guests from using the reserve.
• Remove from circulation items that have gone grey, are burnt or have a stain that could not be washed out.

At every change of linen, also check the mattress protector. If a stain has soaked through to the mattress, the article How to clean a mattress at home: stains, odours and dust mites will help.

Make-up, food and blood stains

Deal with stains before washing, not after. Heat during washing and especially in the tumble dryer can set a stain, so after washing check that it has gone, and only then dry the linen. For every stain product, follow the label and test it on a hidden area.

• Make-up and lipstick: carefully scrape off any residue, apply a little liquid detergent or washing-up liquid to the stain, leave it to work and only then wash.
• Mascara and eyeliner: proceed as with make-up. Make-up removal towels in a different colour (for example dark) can offer guests an alternative to white towels.
• Greasy food: blot the grease with a paper towel, treat with washing-up liquid and wash at the highest temperature allowed by the label.
• Coffee, tea, wine: rinse with cold water from the reverse side of the fabric. For dried-in stains, apply detergent before washing.
• Blood: rinse with cold water, not warm, and then treat the stain with detergent before washing.

If the stain does not disappear after the first wash, repeat the treatment. Always keep a reserve set to hand, so that you do not have to put stained linen on the bed.

When a guest has been ill

If you find linen soiled with vomit or faeces, proceed more carefully. In its norovirus prevention guidance, the CDC recommends putting on rubber or disposable gloves, not shaking the linen, washing it with detergent in hot water on the longest available programme and then drying it in a tumble dryer on the highest setting. Finally, wash your hands with soap and water. The temperature is still limited by the label. Cleaning the whole flat after such an event is described in the article Cleaning after vomiting and diarrhoea: what to do in the case of norovirus.

Wash it yourself or hand it over

For a single flat with occasional turnovers, you can usually manage the washing yourself with a home washing machine and tumble dryer. With several units or daily turnovers, time and washing machine capacity are the deciding factors, so work out how many loads you need per week. If you want to hand over the cleaning between guests, see cleaning of Airbnb and short-term rentals; you will find the scope and prices in the price list.