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Original poster

dear airbnb hosts

221 replies

comeondover · 12/08/2023 19:21

Enough of the plug-in air fresheners. They're foul a matter of personal taste. Also they make me very suspicious about what you might be trying to hide.

And if all the temperature and function settings have been rubbed off, what am I supposed to do, play oven roulette? Give me a fighting chance and leave me the manual so I can look at a picture of it.

Anything else?

OP posts:
omega4ever · 12/08/2023 19:23

Agree about the plug in air freshners... they make us wheeze and are hiding something I'm sure.

SgtBilko · 12/08/2023 19:27

I also hate plug in air fresheners. They make me feel nauseous.

Henddraig · 12/08/2023 19:28

Amen to that. They give me such a headache.

Ilovealido · 12/08/2023 19:31

I hate reed diffusers! I also hate it when they leave you with a long list of tasks to do before you leave, e.g. at the recent place it was: open the windows to air the property, take sheets off beds, empty bins, set off dishwasher, use the squeegee in the shower. I mean I usually do most of these things but I feel resentful when there’s a list & I’m paying the cleaning charge!

Ohmylovejune · 12/08/2023 19:39

Please put blinds or curtains on the bedroom.windows

Please leave a plug or bowl in sink so I can wash up without constant running water

Please make sure electric works in the study if advertising working whilst on holiday

Please provide more than 3 frying pans, 3 saucepans and one oven pan to self cater with. Jugs, serving plates, colander, grater, casserole dish, dishes to store remaining food in fridge, ice cube tray, grill pan, baking sheet, egg cups, slotty spoon, serving spoon....you get the idea!

If you list something include it

Test your listing descriptions on a mate (preferably one that doesn't need new glasses)

cansu · 12/08/2023 19:43

If you are charging for cleaning then don't leave lists of jobs. In most places the house rules as regards check out were v annoying.

BunnyBetChetwynnd · 12/08/2023 19:57

Please be honest about any building work that is being done on our around your property, especially if there are going to be workmen up scaffolding starting early in the morning.

Ditto neighbours' barking dogs.

If the bedroom is small, please don't decorate the bed with 283 scatter cushions (which you obviously don't wash from one year to the next) as I have to accommodate them somewhere when I go to bed.

If the previous people leave behind half a packet of butter, an opened tin of tuna, half a loaf of bread and 2 Dairylea triangles please do feel free to remove them as I'm unlikely to make a meal of them.

Please clean things as though you were going to used them. And I don't mean wipe everything, including mirrors, with the same greasy cloth that you use to clean the sink.

thecatsthecats · 12/08/2023 20:04

I see your plugin air fresheners and I raise you bedding that has been washed in a bucketful of fabric conditioner.

Last place, I actually had to take off the pillowcase and put a sweaty worn t-shirt over the pillow just to get to sleep.

TrayBaker1955 · 12/08/2023 20:06

thecatsthecats · 12/08/2023 20:04

I see your plugin air fresheners and I raise you bedding that has been washed in a bucketful of fabric conditioner.

Last place, I actually had to take off the pillowcase and put a sweaty worn t-shirt over the pillow just to get to sleep.

I had some Unstoppables to use up (no longer buying the hideous things) and I made the mistake of using them for duvet covers and pillow cases. It was horrid!

Please provide scissors! Such a basic thing but often lacking.

BunnyBetChetwynnd · 12/08/2023 20:13

Not everyone likes scented, lotioned toilet paper.

Original poster
comeondover · 12/08/2023 20:18

There seems to be a general agreement about overly scented stuff. Glad it's not just me.

Another one - if there's no dishwasher, please supply a drying rack as I cba to dry up by hand

OP posts:
Original poster
comeondover · 12/08/2023 20:24

@BunnyBetChetwynnd yes to all these. Only reasonable.

OP posts:
MNetcurtains · 12/08/2023 20:26

I've always hated scented products in the home. I've always believed that if a place is clean and well aired, there is no reason for scented products. However, we were away for several months during winter a few years ago and didn't have any central heating kicking in (even minimum temp of like 18 degrees at any time). When we returned the house smelled really musty. That was at least five years ago (we live abroad for months at a time), To this day the house smells musty when we walk in and I don't know how to fix it. Any tips would be gratefully received. I have some reed diffusers dotted about.

Original poster
comeondover · 12/08/2023 20:26

@thecatsthecats I did the t-shirt on the pillow thing once but it was to save the pillow from me, not the other way round. I had been a bit liberal with a new face oil.

OP posts:
Bookish88 · 12/08/2023 20:26

Henddraig · 12/08/2023 19:28

Amen to that. They give me such a headache.

Me too! Thought I must be the only one.

Original poster
comeondover · 12/08/2023 20:27

@MNetcurtains have you considered getting a couple of big, hairy dogs?

OP posts:
ActDottie · 12/08/2023 20:29

Omg haha so we booked a holiday cottage through air bnb (the only time I’ve used it) and omg the air fresheners it was awful! Every room and so strong and stinky.

Since then I’ve always stuck to holidaycottages.com and no air fresheners in sight!

MNetcurtains · 12/08/2023 20:30

comeondover · 12/08/2023 20:27

@MNetcurtains have you considered getting a couple of big, hairy dogs?

Cunning plan! Replace musty with doggo smells?

Caffeineislife · 12/08/2023 20:30

Stop charging a cleaning fee if you are asking guests to do a full deep clean before they check out.

I don't mid doing bins, i will wipe round the kitchen, i will strip the beds and run a brush round the hard floors. No way am I washing the bathroom, bleaching the toilet, deep cleaning the kitchen, moping all the floors, hoovering under the beds, putting washing machines on and all the other ridiculous demands host's have nowadays. Especially if you are then charging a cleaning fee on top.

We have stopped staying at air bnbs now as the demands are getting ridiculous and the check out timed are getting earlier with later check in. For the price they charge you might as well go to a hotel or B&B who don't expect you to become an unpaid cleaner on your last day.

Rogue1001MNer · 12/08/2023 20:31

They're foul a matter of personal taste

LOVE this ⬆️⬆️
Great way of putting it

Please god, a corkscrew!

DH and I keep meaning to buy one to leave in the suitcase. So our bad!!!

Original poster
comeondover · 12/08/2023 20:31

@MNetcurtains exactly! Plus, you get dogs, yay

OP posts:
Shodan · 12/08/2023 20:31

If you advertise that your property 'sleeps six', please ensure that there are enough chairs to 'seat six' as well.

TragicMuse · 12/08/2023 20:34

Make things easy to find. That includes the wifi, and instructions for how to work the tv and any kitchen gadgets.

Please have decent pillows. I don't expect Siberian down, but I don't want flat ones.

Redwinestillfine · 12/08/2023 20:34

Please leave an empty cupboard so we can store food when self catering. Also, please leave a few washing machine/ dishwasher tablets/ loo roll to tide us over until we get to the shops

Original poster
comeondover · 12/08/2023 20:35

@Shodan oh yes, good point. Also enough cutlery and plates and whatnot, and enough pans as @Ohmylovejune says. Big enough ones, too.

OP posts: