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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:
FrostyPalms · 23/07/2026 17:20

BlackRowan · 23/07/2026 14:57

Even a bar of soap is not unhygienic. It just looks nicer when new.
let alone liquids.

you aren’t obligated to provide them at all so just ignore

I'm pretty easygoing about this stuff, but I wouldn't use a bar of soap that had previously been used by another guest. I'm sure you're right that it's hygienic, but the idea is gross!

TheresMillionsOfGeoffreys · 23/07/2026 17:19

C8H10N4O2 · 23/07/2026 15:21

I’m impressed by the number of people who see $MUCHOEXPENSIVE brand label on dispensers and believe that is always what they contain.

Hey now, Chanel absolutely do a bright pink pearlescent hand soap....

unsevered67 · 23/07/2026 17:14

You touch the pump part of the dispenser - and then wash your hands thoroughly- the soap and water hopefully cleansing any harmful bacteria away.You don’t touch the dispenser after that.
Makes no sense to say it’s unhygienic.
And many surfaces and things we will touch through the day will be covered in bacteria

ThisISmycircusandtheseAREmymonkeys · 23/07/2026 17:12

Calliopespa · 23/07/2026 14:59

Here I am beginning to part company from the "not unhygienic" crowd! A bar of soap that has possibly been rubbed in someone's bottom crack is pushing me too far...

😂😫

Ultraalox · 23/07/2026 17:10

Bluestone do this, they just refill them. Much less waste. They don’t have to use it!

Brickiscool · 23/07/2026 17:06

Most hotels do this now have have ditched the miniatures because it's not environmentally friendly

ThisWiseRobin · 23/07/2026 17:03

Last hotel we stayed in, everything in large containers fitted to the wall.
And this was Norway....in no way a dirty place.
These people are pretentious idiots.

Calliopespa · 23/07/2026 17:02

YonderlyYonderly · 23/07/2026 16:58

I'd hope it has a mattress protector that gets washed regularly.

I recall seeing piles and piles of sheets and duvet covers being pushed up and down hotel corridors, but I can't actually recall any mattress covers.

I suspect if it looks ok, they leave it. Perhaps an ex-hotel manager/maid can chip in here...But I'd be surprised if those relatively heavy mattress protectors get laundered and tumble dried for every one night stay.

Calliopespa · 23/07/2026 16:59

YonderlyYonderly · 23/07/2026 16:58

I'd hope it has a mattress protector that gets washed regularly.

How would you ever know? Any more than whether the pump handle has been wiped clean?

YonderlyYonderly · 23/07/2026 16:58

nicepotoftea · 23/07/2026 15:17

Agree. I wonder if they think the mattress is replaced for every guest?

I'd hope it has a mattress protector that gets washed regularly.

MrsVBS · 23/07/2026 16:43

It’s a nice thing to leave and the majority of people won’t have an issue with it, I always take my own toiletries but that’s personal preference. I certainly wouldn’t have made a special journey to get some if you’d left Aesop toiletries out!

FrostyPalms · 23/07/2026 16:38

Delatron · 23/07/2026 16:37

I’ve tried to read as much as I can. For those that have an issue - have you explained why? I don’t understand. It’s the same set up as in a hotel? Or when you wash hands in public?

Would you complain to the hotel? And say unhygienic?

Is it because someone else has touched the top? Seems weird…!

And I say this as someone who never touches door handles..

That's what I don't understand! Every hotel does this now.

Delatron · 23/07/2026 16:37

I’ve tried to read as much as I can. For those that have an issue - have you explained why? I don’t understand. It’s the same set up as in a hotel? Or when you wash hands in public?

Would you complain to the hotel? And say unhygienic?

Is it because someone else has touched the top? Seems weird…!

And I say this as someone who never touches door handles..

Calliopespa · 23/07/2026 16:26

Katey83 · 23/07/2026 15:54

Guests are insane a lot of the time. I once got a 1* review for a country cottage I let out because - and this really was the quoted reason - there was a newly dead moth in the otherwise spotless cottage on arrival.

Not even long dead!

Ecstaticmotion · 23/07/2026 16:18

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 08:00

So for me I wouldn’t use them either sorry 😔. But having said that I wouldn’t have removed a star from the review because of it. They could easily pack little toiletries which is what I do? Maybe you can offer those instead if it’s worth it?

I'm struggling to understand this. Can you be specific about why you wouldn't? They are pump bottles if their Aesop - what are you imagining has happened to the product inside by someone pumping them to get shampoo/soap/etc? Genuine qs to help me understand such a different viewpoint.

EmailsaysOOO · 23/07/2026 16:17

Yogafiend · 23/07/2026 11:50

I have but avoid it if I can.

What are you worried about?

Apologies if you've later been asked and answered this

Greyhoundsmittenlady · 23/07/2026 16:14

You can do without guests like that.
I'm fussy, but what you have described would not bother me at all. In fact I'd be very pleased, it all sounds lovely.

pastadish · 23/07/2026 16:12

It’s perfectly normal to have pump bottles of soap, shampoo etc. I always used them until recently when I saw something that said people put their bodily fluids into the bottles so now I can’t get it out of my head and don’t use them but I wouldn’t complain to a hotel or Airbnb about it I just bring my own.

Notasbigasithink · 23/07/2026 16:07

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?!

They're being ridiculous! Its soap ffs so self cleaning!
For clarity you could maybe list in your add that in order to be environmentally friendly you provide shampoo etc in large bottles so as to reduce plastic waste. That way, precious people like her can bring their own in future!

TerrysNeapolitan · 23/07/2026 16:04

Bonkers!

Your Airbnb sounds lovely!

Hayley1256 · 23/07/2026 16:04

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/07/2026 08:45

Do you take your own soap out and about with you at all times? To work? To the gym? The spa?

No but always have hand sanitizer, I take my own shower gel to the gym and spa

emziecy · 23/07/2026 16:03

Your place sounds lovely. She sounds like a dick 🙄

Hayley1256 · 23/07/2026 16:02

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:37

😂 why?

Do you think they actually give you brand new bottles?

Yes, they either change the full bottles to new ones or give me mini versions. Never been a problem.

seanconneryseyebrow · 23/07/2026 16:00

Its a shame she sent you a private message about it and not public. Because if her message was public it would be obvious she was just a nutter. Maybe ask her to? That way anyone thinking 'oooh I wonder why this person put 4 star' will know she batshit crazy, and you could respond, patiently, what you offer for environmental reasons with a pic. LIterally no-one is gonna support her on this. Only those who really shouldn't be staying away from home due to germaphobia.

DecoratingDiva · 23/07/2026 15:59

It’s not unhygienic and I really appreciate it when somewhere has toiletries available.

Did they complain that you didn’t leave a fresh unopened toilet roll just for them to use?