Best Towels For Airbnb
In this guide:
- What GSM Towel Weight Is Best for Airbnb Rentals?
- How Many Towels Should You Provide Per Guest?
- What Towel Material Works Best for Short-Term Rentals?
- How to Wash and Care for Airbnb Towels to Extend Their Life
- How Often Should You Replace Airbnb Towels?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the best towels for your Airbnb is a straight business decision. Your guests judge your property by the softness and condition of the bath linens you provide. For B2B buyers managing multiple rental units, the right towels save money on replacements and earn better reviews.
TLDR: Use 100 percent ring spun combed cotton towels in a 500 to 600 GSM weight. Provide two bath towels per guest plus one hand towel and one washcloth. Wash at 140 F (60 C) and replace every 6 to 12 months.
What GSM Towel Weight Is Best for Airbnb Rentals?
GSM stands for grams per square meter. It measures how dense the towel is. For Airbnb properties, aim for 500 to 600 GSM. This weight gives enough thickness for a comfortable feel without the long drying time of heavier towels. Towels at 700 GSM or higher can take over two hours to dry in a standard vented dryer. Your turnover time matters. If towels are still damp when the next cleaner arrives, you risk delays or mold smells.
Budget conscious buyers often ask if they can go with 400 GSM towels. The answer is yes if you want a thinner towel that still works. But guests notice the difference. A 400 GSM towel feels flat and does not wrap around the body well. In a competitive market, that small detail can produce a negative review. For the same price per unit, a 500 GSM towel offers much better guest satisfaction.
Properties in humid climates like Florida or the Gulf Coast may prefer 450 to 500 GSM towels. These dry faster and resist mildew. In dry climates or colder regions, 600 GSM towels are a comfortable choice. No matter the climate, always order a sample lot before buying in bulk. Run them through five wash cycles at your property and see how they hold up. A reliable supplier like Towel Depot can send wholesale bath towels in multiple GSM ranges so you can test before committing.
How Many Towels Should You Provide Per Guest?
The standard for short term rentals is two bath towels per guest. One for drying off and one for backup. This covers normal use and gives the guest a second towel if the first gets wet and the next shower is coming. For bookings of three nights or less, two towels per guest is enough. For stays of a week or more, increase to three bath towels per guest. You do not want your guests washing towels during their stay.
Hand towels and washcloths must be included. Provide one hand towel per guest and one washcloth per guest. Some hosts skip washcloths to save money. That is a mistake. Washcloths are expected in a hotel level experience. Guests use them for face washing, makeup removal, or quick cleanups. Without a washcloth, a guest may use a bath towel for the face, which leads to faster soiling and more laundry.
Bath mats are also towels. Provide one bath mat per bathroom. Replace the bath mat every six months or when it shows wear. Do not use bath mats that are white. White bath mats show stains quickly. A light gray or beige bath mat hides dirt better and stays presentable longer. For beach or pool properties, stock extra wholesale beach towels. Guests will use them and often leave them behind, so buy extras at a bulk price.
What Towel Material Works Best for Short-Term Rentals?
One hundred percent ring spun combed cotton is the gold standard for Airbnb towels. Ring spun cotton has longer fibers twisted together, making the yarn stronger. Combed cotton removes short fibers and leaves only the long, smooth strands. This process gives a soft hand feel that lasts through hundreds of washes. Towels made from this material resist pilling and fraying better than open end cotton or blends.
Microfiber towels are cheaper and dry fast, but they do not feel luxurious. Guests expect soft cotton towels in a rental. Microfiber can feel like a gym towel. For a budget property or a shared room, microfiber may work. But for a full home or upscale listing, stick with cotton. Bamboo towels are marketed as soft and eco friendly. The reality is that bamboo towels lose their plushness after 50 washes. They also cost 20 to 30 percent more than good cotton.
Blends of cotton and polyester are common in the hospitality industry. A 50/50 blend lasts longer and resists shrinkage. But it does not absorb as well as pure cotton. For an Airbnb, pure cotton gives better guest perception. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends specific laundry handling protocols for reusable textiles, but that applies more to industrial laundries than small Airbnb operations. You can read the guidelines at osha.gov/laundry. For your property, pure cotton in 500 to 600 GSM is the safe bet.
How to Wash and Care for Airbnb Towels to Extend Their Life
Wash new towels before the first guest use. This removes surface fibers and factory residues. Use hot water at 140 F (60 C) for the first wash. Hot water kills bacteria and helps the cotton fibers open up for better absorbency. For regular laundry, wash at 120 F (49 C) or higher. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that laundry water temperature above 160 F (71 C) kills most pathogens, but 140 F (60 C) is a practical compromise for mixed loads. See cdc.gov/infectioncontrol for more details.
Do not use fabric softener on towels. Fabric softener coats the cotton fibers and reduces water absorption. After several washes with softener, a towel can lose up to half its absorbency. Use a chlorine bleach alternative instead of chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach weakens cotton fibers over time and turns white towels yellow. Oxygen bleach like sodium percarbonate works well and is safer for the environment. Wash towels separately from your regular laundry. Towels produce a lot of lint, which can cling to synthetics.
Dry towels on medium heat. High heat shrinks cotton and damages the loop pile. Remove towels from the dryer while they are still slightly damp. Shake them out and fold them immediately. This reduces wrinkles and keeps the pile fluffy. For a high volume property, rotate your towel inventory. Buy three sets per unit: one in use, one in the laundry, one in storage. This rotation lets towels rest between uses and extends their life. An ASTM standard on textile durability, ASTM D6770, provides test methods for towel abrasion resistance. Check it if you want to compare manufacturer claims.
How Often Should You Replace Airbnb Towels?
Plan to replace towels every 6 to 12 months. A property with weekly guests and constant turnover will hit 100 wash cycles in six months. That is the point where cotton fibers start to break down. Signs of wear include frayed edges, thinning fabric, faded color, and a rough texture. If a towel no longer feels plush or has lost its absorbency, it is time for replacement. Keep a log of purchase dates and wash counts for each batch.
The type of towel matters for longevity. A 600 GSM ring spun combed cotton towel can handle about 150 wash cycles before showing noticeable wear. A 400 GSM open end cotton towel might last only 80 cycles. Buying cheap towels means replacing them twice a year instead of once. That doubles your annual linen cost. When you buy in bulk at wholesale prices, the upfront cost of better towels pays off within 12 months.
Color also plays a role. White towels bleach well and last longer than colored towels if you use oxygen bleach. Colored towels will fade after repeated hot washes. For a professional look, use white towels with a colored trim or a subtle monogram. This helps you sort inventory by unit. Train your housekeeping staff to inspect each towel before folding. Pull any towel with a stain that did not come out, a tear, or a loose hem. Small repairs with a serger can add three months of life to a towel. Use the same rule for vacation rental linens across all your units.
