The Great Debate: Should Your Airbnb Do the Laundry In-House or Outsource?

Does It Make Sense To Launder Yourself?

The rise of Airbnb has revolutionized the hospitality industry, providing travelers with unique accommodation options and hosts with a platform to rent out their homes. One of the critical aspects of running a successful Airbnb is maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, including the laundering of bed linens, towels, and other textiles. As an AirBnB host, the decision of whether to do the laundry in-house or outsource it to a professional laundry service can be a crucial one. In this essay, we will explore the pros and cons of both options, and help you determine which approach may be best for your Airbnb business.

Doing laundry in-house

Doing the laundry in-house can have several advantages. Firstly, it gives hosts complete control over the laundering process. Hosts can personally oversee the quality of laundering, ensuring that their linens are cleaned according to their preferred standards. They can also customize the laundering process based on their specific needs, such as using particular detergents or fabric softeners, and drying linens at specific temperatures or settings. Additionally, doing the laundry in-house allows hosts to maintain flexibility in scheduling, as they can do the laundry at their convenience and not rely on external service providers.

Another advantage of doing the laundry in-house is cost savings. By laundering linens themselves, hosts can potentially save money compared to outsourcing the service. They can purchase their own laundry equipment, such as a washing machine and dryer, which may have a higher upfront cost but can be cost-effective in the long run, especially for hosts with multiple Airbnb properties. Hosts can also purchase their own detergents and other laundry supplies in bulk, potentially reducing costs compared to using a commercial laundry service.

Furthermore, doing the laundry in-house can allow hosts to add a personal touch to their AirbBnB. Many guests appreciate the extra effort hosts put into providing clean and well-maintained linens. By laundering linens themselves, hosts can ensure that their linens are fresh, fragrant, and impeccably clean, creating a positive impression on guests and potentially leading to positive reviews and repeat bookings.

However, there are also some drawbacks to doing the laundry in-house. Firstly, laundering linens can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially for hosts with multiple properties or high guest turnover. It may require dedicating a significant amount of time and effort to washing, drying, folding, and ironing linens, which can be challenging for hosts with limited time or resources. Additionally, laundering linens in-house may require hosts to purchase and maintain laundry equipment, which can have upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.

Another disadvantage of doing the laundry in-house is the potential for inconsistent quality. Unless hosts have experience or expertise in laundering, there is a risk of linens not being cleaned properly, resulting in stains, odors, or other hygiene issues. Inconsistent quality of linens can lead to guest complaints and negative reviews, which can impact the reputation and success of an Airbnb business.

Outsourcing your laundry

On the other hand, outsourcing the laundry to a professional laundry service can have its benefits as well. Firstly, it can save hosts time and effort. Professional laundry services have the equipment, expertise, and resources to handle large volumes of laundry efficiently and effectively. Hosts can simply drop off their linens and let the laundry service take care of the rest, freeing up their time to focus on other aspects of managing their Airbnb business.

Outsourcing the laundry can also ensure consistent quality. Professional laundry services have experience and expertise in laundering linens, and they are equipped to handle different types of fabrics and stains. They have specialized detergents, equipment, and techniques to ensure that linens are thoroughly cleaned, fresh, and well-maintained. This can help hosts provide high-quality linens to their guests consistently, leading to positive guest experience.