Here are 9 clever Airbnb hacks for hosts, both seasoned and new!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ever find yourself daydreaming about ways you can make your life a little easier?
If you’re anything like me, you’re always finding ways to refine and make your life and/or business more efficient.
As a mom of two littles who runs an Airbnb business, I am obsessed with efficiency. Over the years, I’ve gathered a few little tricks of the trade that have made my life SO much easier as an Airbnb host.
In this post, I’ll share tips, tricks, products, and suggestions I have for the new and seasoned Airbnb host.
This post is all about Airbnb hacks for hosts.
BEST AIRBNB HACKS FOR HOSTS:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
AIRBNB TRICKS FOR HOSTS:
1. Use magnetic child locks to store “emergency” supplies that can be accessible to guests
It’s important to have a way for guests to access some supplies they might need in a pinch, i.e. the smoke detector is chirping and they need to change the battery, or a lightbulb goes out and they need a replacement.
I’ve found a great way to do this is to use magnetic child locks on a kitchen cabinet. I’ll typically hide the magnetic “key” somewhere just out of sight, but where guests can access it if I let them know where it is. This way, the cabinet will appear locked and won’t be accessible for all guests to access it unless told where the key is. Things you’ll want to keep here are:
- restockable supplies like toilet paper, coffee, trash bags etc
- extra batteries for the smoke and CO detectors
- extra TV remote batteries
- lightbulbs
- spare sets of sheets
- pest traps (JUST in case– you never know when you might need them)
2. Layer your beds
Its a good idea to layer your bed for a couple reasons. First, guests can customize how they sleep. If they want more, they use more, and if they want less, they can take away a layer. Secondly, if you layer with a quilt and then duvet or blanket at the end of the bed, its much easier on your cleaning process. Blankets and quilts can be tossed in the wash easily and can hold up really well with multiple washes. And if you’re going the duvet route, if you have it folded at the end of the bed as an extra layer, versus having it be the base, you can get away with not washing it every single time.
3. Automate, Automate, Automate
As much as you can automate, do it. There is too much room for error when you are doing things manually. Forgetting to update a cleaner about a new booking, missing the review window for a guest, forgetting to adjust pricing for a big local event, and the list goes on.
Things you may choose to automate are:
- Nightly pricing by using a dynamic pricing software such as PriceLabs
- Guest messaging to include consistent information to each guest when they book. You can do this in Airbnb or using a property management software like Hostfully
- Cleaner management by using a software like Breezeway that can link to your calendar
- Lock integration which a product like August locks which can automatically generate check-in codes for each guest
- Automated Reviews, which at this time you can only do with a property management software like Guesty.
4. Cut sponges in half to double your stock and provide one fresh for each guest
Theres something about a used sponge that really can skeeve a person out. Avoid this by providing a new sponge for every guest. Since this can get costly if you host several stays a month, simply cut them in half and you’ve got double the stock! No need to waste a whole sponge for every single guest when they likely won’t be doing a ton of dish washing during their stay.
TOOLS FOR AIRBNB HOSTS:
5. Stock your cleaners with lint rollers for collecting lingering lint or hairs
There should be not a lint– and most certainly not a single hair left behind after a cleaning when it comes to providing a a sparkling clean place after each and every guest.
Having a lint roller on hand any time you or your cleaners visit your property is going to save you a ton of stress. When I walk my property, I alway have one in had in case I see so much as an eyelash hair lingering anywhere. A quick swipe and its gone.
6. Use a fabric shaver to keep blankets, towels, and throw pillows looking great
This fabric shaver is AMAZING. Every once in a while I like to swipe this over any pills or lint that collect on things like linens, towels, blankets, and even furniture, and then end up looking brand new again!
7. Create a “host’s kit” to take to property visits
Its a good idea to go prepared when you make visits to your property with anything you might need for little upkeep tasks while you’re there.
I recently put together for myself a little caddy of tools and products that I know I might need every time I visit a property. In my caddy, I’ve got:
- Label maker – in case I need to add any labels to things for guests
- Steamer– I’m always surprised how often i need this , especially if i’m adding any new products like rugs that don’t lay flat, etc
- Sharpies- for labeling any packages, cleaner’s supplies, or any other miscellaneous things
- Chalk pen for writing messages on the guest welcome board
- Lint roller for picking up any lint or hairs I may leave behind
- Fabric shaver- as mentioned above
- Magic eraser for any smudges I may see on walls or cupboards
- Tape measure for measuring any ares I may be considering adding a new furnishing, etc.
AIRBNB SUGGESTIONS FOR HOSTS:
7. Under Promise, Over Deliver
Although we all love to pump up our places as hosts, its really important that we set the right expectations for guests. Make sure they are aware of the small quirks of your property, like a nearby train noise, slow internet, or a steep driveway. If any of these are dealbreakers for a potential guest, thats okay! Guests who don’t mind are the ones who will really appreciate your lovely place. And if you can surprise them with a cute welcome board or binder, a small gift, even better! And ALWAYS make sure its sparkling clean.
8. Audit your cleaners and be sure to compliment & incentivize a good cleaning job
While there may be quirks to your property that you can’t control, one of the area you can is cleanliness. Check on your cleaner’s performance regularly. This will put you ahead of any potential cleaning mishaps or neglected areas and prevent something showing up in a review that could have been prevented.
You can do this by either visiting your property once a week after a clean or simply check in with one guest per week and ask them what they think of your cleaner’s job. Its a great way to let the guest know you care – and implement effective quality control over your listing’s cleanliness.
Be sure to let you cleaner know you are doing this, and compliment them when they do a great job! Every once in a while, we like to slip our cleaner a little tip to let her know we appreciate her hard work.
9. Make sure your place has several spots to “get ready”
Provide lots of spaces where guests can get themselves ready other than the bathroom. Even when you’ve only got two people staying, one often will want their own separate space to get ready if the other is in the bathroom. I like to place mirrors in different spots, whether it be over a dresser, desk, or entryway table. And don’t forget at least one full-length mirror for outfit checks!
10. Explain the star rating system to your guests to stay high in the rating
Communicate to your guests upfront that your goal is a 5-star stay, and that you’d like to know if there’s anything preventing you from earning those 5 stars so you can fix it right away.
Then before they leave, simply explain to guests that unlike the hotel industry which often only designates 5-stars for luxury hotels, Airbnb’s rating scale is such that a 5 star is the goal for every host, based on the unique experience you provide to guests, no matter if your place is is a lux vacation home, or a spare room in your home.
You can do this in your welcome binder or in a message. This helps clear up any confusion about the review system and lets guests know that while feedback about minor issues is appreciated, star rating is very important to us as hosts.
This post was all about the best Airbnb hacks for hosts.
Other posts you might like:
5 Gorgeous Airbnb Coffee Station Ideas to Steal for Your Guests
How to Increase Airbnb Bookings: 10 Proven Ways to Optimize Your Listing
