Should Airbnb Hosts Use White Sheets and Towels? Here's What Experienced Hosts Know

This is a much debated topic. If you've spent any time browsing successful Airbnb listings, you've probably noticed a common trend: crisp white sheets, fluffy white towels, and bright white bedding. Like the ones you'd find in a 5-star hotel.

At first glance, this might seem like a risky choice. After all, white linens show stains more easily than darker colours, and replacing them can seem expensive. Yet many experienced Airbnb hosts continue to choose white bedding year after year.

So, is white really the best choice for your Airbnb? Let's explore the benefits, potential drawbacks, and how to keep your linens looking fresh and guest-ready.

Why So Many Hosts Choose White Linens

The biggest advantage of white sheets and towels is the impression they create. Plus they are so beautiful! They give a feeling of "ahhhh, so clean!" which is very important to guests and should be a top priority!

Guests often associate bright white linens with cleanliness, luxury, and hotel-quality accommodations. When a guest walks into a room and sees a freshly made bed with crisp white sheets, it immediately communicates that the space is clean and professionally maintained. Another benefit is consistency. Unlike coloured fabrics, white linens can mostly be mixed and matched without guests noticing differences between sets. This makes replacements much easier and more affordable over time.

White bedding also photographs exceptionally well. Since listing photos play a major role in booking decisions, clean white linens can make bedrooms appear brighter, larger, and more inviting. People may also have experiences with other bedding colours. For example, light blue/light green might remind them of a hospital(it does to me! Eek!), or purple might remind them of their childhood sheets?!...Who knows what certain colours can evoke. And so when you pick those colours you are subconsciously tapping into other guest memories and associations which can be negative or bring up mixed feelings when they're looking at your listing. And that might result in them feeling a bit weird seeing a room and without even noticing why, they're skipping over it without much thought. And that's because our brains are lazy. We can't possibly interpret all the new information we receive from the world, it would be too much, we'd be overwhelmed, and so our brain pulls from past experiences to automatically arrive at an answer for certain things. It's where our bias comes in. Bias isn't always negative, it's just a set of assumptions/thoughts/feelings that come up when we've encountered something we're more familiar with or have had some experience with. Bias is something we all need to be aware, however when looking at a room, bias will probably come into play and it'll help you decide on a decision without even realizing. It's that simple. Our reco is to go with white. I've tried a lot of sheets and have scoured and researched for hours the best sheets.

I'll share with you my top all-time favourite linens from Amazon, here, that I use for all my airbnbs including my own bed!

AMAZON LINK

Here's why I love them:

They're bright white, 100% cotton percale made in the USA. Percale sheets describes the cotton weave, and is generally the option to go with if you are a hot sleeper. It makes it so you don't wake up in the middle of the night all sweaty and hot. They're a god send! Percale sheets don't stay perfectly ironed, but it's worth it for the feel they provide, crisp, clean and cool. They also last longer!

If you are more concerned with the look of ''ironed" looking sheets and are more of a cool sleeper naturally, try a microfibre cotton blend (30%/70%) or try cotton sateen sheets. The weave for sateen makes the sheets softer, and look creaseless, but less desirable for hot sleepers. They also tend to last a little less than percale sheets, but they are really nice and worth considering depending on the sleeper you are.

I'll do a whole section on sheets and bed linens next and link it here, because there's a lot to share! And I have some my top Amazon recos to share with you all.

The Downsides of White Bedding

Of course, white linens aren't perfect.

They can show makeup stains, lotions and other signs of wear more easily than darker fabrics. Some hosts worry they'll spend more time treating stains or replacing damaged items.

However, many experienced hosts argue that visible stains are actually an advantage. Rather than hiding dirt or discolouration, white fabrics make it obvious when something needs attention, helping maintain higher cleaning standards.

The key is having systems in place to manage wear and tear before it becomes a problem.

How to Keep White Sheets and Towels Looking White

The secret isn't buying expensive linens—it's maintaining them properly.

Wash Promptly

The longer a stain sits, the harder it becomes to remove. Try to wash linens as soon as possible after checkout, especially if visible stains are present.

Separate Whites from Other Laundry

Mixing white sheets with coloured fabrics can cause gradual dulling and discolouration. Washing whites separately helps preserve their brightness over time. They should also be dried separately, so they don't pick up darker laundry pill.

Treat Stains Immediately

Keep a stain remover on hand for makeup, wine, coffee, and other common guest-related stains. Spot-treating before washing can significantly extend the life of your linens. I'll share with you my top amazon stain remover that work wonders for my white sheets I swear by it. It's removed all my stains without much effort and I use it to keep the linens and towels bright white with no issues. Amazon link here.

Avoid Too Much Detergent

Many hosts are surprised to learn that excessive detergent can actually make white fabrics look dull. Residue builds up over time, leaving sheets looking grey rather than bright white.

Using the recommended amount of detergent often produces better results.

Rotate Multiple Sets

Instead of relying on one set of sheets and towels, keep several complete sets in rotation. This reduces wear on individual items and helps your inventory last much longer. Percale sheets also get softer with more use, so if you are considering percale sheets, here's another reason why.

Have black make-up towels on hand

Having black wash cloths is a bonus for all hosts. It ensures guests who use make-up feel comforable removing their make-up before bed and not feel bad about using a towel to do so. Black towels also makes it easy to remove make-up stains and in return keep your white towels white. Win-win!

Here's a link to my favourite amazon black wash cloths! Plus if your guests don't use make-up they can still use them as washcloths!

What About Hosts with Pets?

If your Airbnb allows pets—or if you have pets on the property—you may wonder whether white linens are practical.

While pet hair can be more noticeable on white fabrics depending on the animal's coat colour, many hosts still prefer white because it highlights cleanliness and allows stains to be treated more effectively.

In these situations, investing in quality mattress protectors, duvet covers, and backup linen sets can help protect your bedding and reduce replacement costs.

In the end, for most Airbnb hosts, white sheets and towels remain the gold standard for a reason. They create a clean, professional appearance, improve listing photos, and give guests confidence that the space is well cared for.

While white linens do require a bit more attention, the benefits often outweigh the extra maintenance. With proper washing habits, stain treatment, and a few backup sets on hand, keeping your bedding bright and inviting is easier than many new hosts expect.

In the hospitality industry, perception matters—and few things communicate cleanliness and comfort better than a perfectly made bed dressed in crisp white linens.