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AIBU?

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Is this unhygienic?!

766 replies

loislaneloves · 23/07/2026 07:55

I have an Airbnb on my property. It’s basically a tiny home at the bottom of our large garden with an amazing view. Most people come for the weekend by train and I don’t want people to spend their holiday shopping for stuff like coffee, tea, milk or having to cram suitcases full of toiletries or beach towels so I provide all of those. I also provide a little evening snack (crisps usually) some wine to watch the sun set on the deck with and fruit from the garden and a croissant and jam for breakfast. People love it and I make it quite clear on my ads that these things are provided.
Just got a review from a couple who stayed with us a few days ago. They gave us a good review but took one star off and in her private message to me she said ‘We loved our stay with you but we weren’t very happy that the toiletries are in big shared bottles rather than individual use. This is obviously very unhygienic (we don’t know who has used them!!) so we had to make the trip to buy some for ourselves which was an expense and effort we weren’t expecting’.
To be clear I offer Aesop Shower Gel, Shampoo and Conditioner in the shower and Aesop Hand Wash by the sink in 500ml bottles. They get replaced when empty which is usually about every 10 months
AIBU to think this is not unhygienic?!

OP posts:
loislaneloves · 23/07/2026 08:27

TourdeCrema · 23/07/2026 08:21

What I find irritating is

if you didn’t offer the toiletries

youd have got full marks

This is so right. I feel foolish for trying to make the experience nice! If I’d just thought ‘sod omit’ I would have got 5 stars!
I offer a selection of teas and two types of coffee, plunger and an Espresso machine (with full clear instructions). A couple left us a lovely 5 star review but again in the private message they said that they were disappointed that there was no instant coffee as they didn’t like posh coffee.
I went out and bought some and it sat there unused until it went out of date.

OP posts:
MrsClatterbuck · 23/07/2026 08:27

What does she do when using the loo in other people's homes. Most people would have liquid hand wash in their bathrooms. Also does she bring her own shampoo to the hairdresser as they have large dispensers for shampoo and conditioner.
The loos at many cafés and restaurants have bottles of liquid soap for washing hands and how many people does she think have washed their hands in these places

Blogswife · 23/07/2026 08:27

If you get some opaque bottles with pumps and decant your shampoo etc into it ( topping up for each guest ) it’ll look nicer and no one will be any the wiser . YANBU

Dozer · 23/07/2026 08:27

The reviewer was U.

NaeRolls · 23/07/2026 08:26

I'm quite OCD about germs, and even I think this is ridiculous!

OneRealRosePlayer · 23/07/2026 08:26

I know why you use them. But i never use the big bottles. I dont know if some previous guest has opened it and put something inside. I wouldn't drop a star but i also always bring my own because i know i dont trust the big bottles and most places dont give conditioner.

You seem lovely. Keep doing what you are doing.

Esmeraldathe3rd · 23/07/2026 08:26

Completely normal. I'd use them if I'd forgot mine but I prefer my own toiletries, so I bring my own. Can't imagine being an adult and complaining I had to buy my own shampoo.

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/07/2026 08:26

By her argument, then the jar of coffee, box of tea bags etc is just as unhygienic.

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:25

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:23

What's different about the germs on your friends soap dispenser, their whole family, kids and their visitors have compared to the ones at the coffee shop in the next road? 🤔🤔🤔

I also never said it was about germs. I only said it’s a preference of mine.

TourdeCrema · 23/07/2026 08:25

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:22

i didn’t say it was unhygienic just that I wouldn’t use them. Because those small toiletries would be mostly finished and you could bin it.

What do you mean - Because those small toiletries would be mostly finished and you could bin it.
sorry but I don’t understand this sentence?

LeaveMeBee · 23/07/2026 08:25

loislaneloves · 23/07/2026 08:20

This is the kind of thing they are in. Also Aesop bottles are pretty opaque. It’s not really possible to see how much is inside.

Just seen this after writing my last reply.
In this case, shes being nutty! Your set-up is fine as long as the bottles are clean and pumps are wiped over by the cleaners

pepperminticecream · 23/07/2026 08:25

loislaneloves · 23/07/2026 08:12

I’m definitely NOT offering individual bottles due to the plastic waste and product waste.
I clean the place myself and I am proudly meticulous. The bottles get cleaned in an antibacterial spray between guests anyway.
Im devastated as we work really hard to ensure our guests have a nice time and my 5 star rating ive held for a year has now dropped to 4.8.

devastated is a big feeling for something so small. I am very particular about where I stay and if I were to click on your Airbnb I would read the negative review first and immediately dismiss it as nonsense.

Trounlet · 23/07/2026 08:24

She's being ridiculous and probably wanted to steal the minis for home.

LeaveMeBee · 23/07/2026 08:23

See I think the hand soap in kitchen is fine as is, but the shower toiletries need to be in a refillable holder like is in hotels. I would consider it unhygienic to just have a free ranging bottle of shower gel in there yes; picture someone showering, picking up the bottle to get more after washing their arse crack with a soapy hand.... it's not nice to think about.

I definitely think in refillable wall fixed bottles with pump tops is fine, but not just free ranging!

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:23

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:21

I actually always have soap sheets in my bag. For public toilets. I don’t mind using it at my mum’s/friend’s houses.

What's different about the germs on your friends soap dispenser, their whole family, kids and their visitors have compared to the ones at the coffee shop in the next road? 🤔🤔🤔

Whatevergoes2025 · 23/07/2026 08:23

loislaneloves · 23/07/2026 08:20

This is the kind of thing they are in. Also Aesop bottles are pretty opaque. It’s not really possible to see how much is inside.

This is exactly what you would expect to find anywhere. They were mean.

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:23

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:21

What do you do in public toilets at cafés, theatre, pubs, your friends house etc?

As above

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:22

TourdeCrema · 23/07/2026 08:19

How is it unhygienic and why would offering small bottles be different?

i didn’t say it was unhygienic just that I wouldn’t use them. Because those small toiletries would be mostly finished and you could bin it.

saraclara · 23/07/2026 08:22

Every Airbnb that I've stayed in has had similar (but not such fancy brands!). I'm really annoyed with this idiot woman, on your behalf.

Vanillaicelatte · 23/07/2026 08:22

I stay in hotels regularly at least 2-3 times a month and pretty much all them have dispensers with shower gel and normally shampoo / conditioner

I still take my own stuff to use

Coralsunset · 23/07/2026 08:22

Can someone explain exactly why it’s unhygienic and how they cope when out and about?

Badvocthebad · 23/07/2026 08:21

Far better for the environment to have larger Refillable bottles!

TourdeCrema · 23/07/2026 08:21

What I find irritating is

if you didn’t offer the toiletries

youd have got full marks

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:21

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:18

So what do you do in public/shared toilets at cafes, pubs, restaurants, work etc? Or your mum's/friends houses etc?

Edited

I actually always have soap sheets in my bag. For public toilets. I don’t mind using it at my mum’s/friend’s houses.

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:21

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:13

I don’t know if I would call them unhygienic per se if I’m honest. But I just don’t like the thought of using others toiletries. I don’t even use them in hotels either. I also pack my own. Even the hand wash I have a little molton brown with a pump in my hand luggage 🤣 so I can take it out straight away once we arrive. Yes - I’m aware I’m a bit extra - happy with that - but also I don’t visit it on other people. As I said I wouldn’t have expected or removed a star from it. I suppose that’s the problem with running an Airbnb - you will one time or another have to deal with people who are extra.

What do you do in public toilets at cafés, theatre, pubs, your friends house etc?

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