When offering short-term rentals, there needs to be a balance between efficiency and offering guests the options and comforts they expect from a reputable business. As we discuss more below, this typically means offering standard bedding options but making sure they’re soft, can keep the guest at a comfortable temperature, and (perhaps above all) give the impression that your business cares about cleanliness and luxury.
What Types of Bedding Work Best for Short-Term Rentals?
There are certain pieces of bedding you need in your short-term rental. Here are the primary ones:
1. Mattress Cover
Mattress covers (also called mattress protectors) often go overlooked. Some people assume a mattress cover serves the same role as a fitted sheet, but this isn’t the case. While there is some overlap in the roles of mattress covers and fitted sheets, covers are more directly focused on protecting a mattress from moisture, staining, allergens, and other unwanted things that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to get out of a mattress. Mattress covers are essential for short-term rentals.
A mattress cover serves as a protecting barrier that can be removed from a mattress and cleaned. Unlike a fitted sheet, it isn’t typically intended to be slept on directly by guests.
These covers are an excellent tool to keep rooms cycling quickly. A waterproof or water-resistant cover can make sure a spilled drink doesn’t become a massive pain. Rather than needing to figure out what to do with a soaked mattress, the cover can often just be removed and cleaned, with the mattress unaffected.
2. Fitted Sheet
Fitted sheets are an essential type of bedding that wrap tightly around a mattress (which should be first be equipped with a mattress cover) and provide a comfortable texture for a person to sleep on. These sheets can also provide some level of protection to a mattress, although this isn’t their main job. Notably, fitted sheets typically aren’t waterproof, as this can cause them to have a less desirable texture (although waterproof fitted sheets are available).
Consider that a fitted sheet will be felt by anyone who uses a bed. Whether they sleep hot or cold, regardless of whether they toss off other sheets and blankets, all guests will rest on a fitted sheet. Quality fitted sheets should therefore be a priority, providing high levels of softness, quality, and durability.
3. Duvet
Duvets (or alternatively comforters) are a thick, warm bedding option to make sure a sleeper is cozy regardless of how cold the weather is. Even on its own, without other sheets or blankets, a duvet is likely to help a person stay warm enough that they likely won’t be bothered by an otherwise chilly room.
It’s worth noting that even if the weather isgenerally warm, a duvet can still be of value. For one, some guests prefer a cold room, running the AC over the course of their stay. This means their actual experience is a relatively cold one, even if those outdoors are dealing with summer heat. Some people also just prefer to sleep in a very warm bed, enjoying a hot, snug feeling that a more typical sleeper might find uncomfortable.
4. Flat Sheet
In some ways the opposite of a duvet, a flat sheet is a thin bed sheet that a person can use to cover themselves but that provides only minimal warmth. Many sleepers like a flat sheet when sleeping in warm weather, wanting the feeling of something on their person but needing something that breathes easily and allows them to stay cool.
Most rentals will feature a flat sheet on every bed, adding additional blankets or duvets as they see fit for the climate. A guest then has a room equipped for what most would actually want but can easily swap out their bedding (or request their bedding be swapped out by staff) to fit their preferences if necessary.
5. Standard Blanket
Exactly how much an individual wants to cover them as they sleep varies significantly, but most people appreciate at least one standard blanket to accompany whatever other bedding they’re sleeping with. A quality blanket of modest thickness, helping to provide some warmth without being excessive, is something most sleepers will enjoy regardless of climate.
If a duvet is not provided, two standard blankets will often suffice. In most situations, one blanket will be enough if a person prefers to sleep a little cooler, and two will help if they want to sleep warmer. We still recommend having those other options available, but standard blankets are admittedly very versatile.
Why Try a Commercial Laundry or Linen Rental Service?
Doing laundry yourself can be complex. It’s better to rely on a specialist, especially when managing many rooms at once. This allows you to focus on your company’s strengths while making sure you always have clean bedding and other linens ready to go. Using a reputable professional service makes sure the job can get done right and on a reliable schedule.
Additionally, whether done on its own or in combination with laundry services, you can also choose to rent linens. When you rent, you don’t need to invest large sums of money into bedding or worry about maintenance and replacement costs.
This again reduces complexity and also helps make your business more scalable. If your needs change, you can just increase or decrease the amount of linens you’re renting. You let a professional service handle the details, so you can focus on other aspects of your short-term rentals.
Alsco Uniforms Linen Services for Short-Term Rentals
In summary, the short-term rental business is about predicting a guest’s needs while also making sure a room can be quickly prepared for a new guest once a given stay is over. In the case of bedding, the basics are typically all you will need (although adjustments can be made for particularly warm or cold areas). Just make sure you have hypoallergenic options available if a customer has allergies or particularly sensitive skin.
If you want help reducing the complexity of your model while still providing your guests with the best possible experience, get help from our team at Alsco Uniforms. We offer linen rental services to help you equip rooms with the bedding they need as well as laundry services to ensure everything is cleaned in a timely manner regardless of the scale of your operations.