25 Most Overlooked Airbnb Essentials Every Host Needs

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When I first started our Airbnb business three years ago, I spent hours reading blogs and online checklists to figure out everything we needed before welcoming our first guests. Some resources were incredibly helpful and provided great Airbnb hosting tips while others covered only Airbnb basic supplies - things like soap, toilet paper, shampoo and paper towels.

Those lists gave us a great foundation, but it wasn't until we had hosted a few dozen guests at Mountain View that we learned there was a whole category of "guest essentials" no one was talking about. These weren't luxury amenities - they were the everyday items guests unexpectedly needed and genuinely appreciated. After hundreds of stays, we've learned that it's often little things that turn a good Airbnb into one that guests remember and recommend.

In a rush? We get it. Jump straight to my full list of curated Airbnb & Vacation Rental Hosting Essentials on Amazon.

On to the list! These are items I buy over and over - not a generic list.

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Are you new here? Good day! My name is Sam and I am a top-rated Airbnb host with three five star rated properties in the great states of Maryland and West Virginia. I take pride in being a Superhost and preparing memorable stays for our guests! We look forward to guiding you on your hosting journey.

25 Most Overlooked Airbnb Essentials Every Host Needs

Guest Essentials We Recommend

1. Batteries - Remote controls always seem to die at the worst time. Keeping extra batteries on hand saves guests from contacting you and keeps their stay hassle-free.
   
   
2. Charging Cables - These are great for when a guest accidentally forgets their own charging cable. Having these allows a guest with any type of phone to charge their phone
3. A Charging Hub - in keeping with number 2 above, just great to have. We keep one next to the beds at Mountain View.
4. Makeup Wipes - As a makeup girl, I truly appreciate when hosts take the time to provide these, saves time having to run to the store!
5. Dark Make Up Towels - Perfect for preventing stains on white sheets or white towels. Guests who wear makeup genuinely appreciate when we provide these.
6. A Foot Stool. We keep one in the bathroom at Mountain View. It's meant as a place for your phone or towel, but we love that guests are able to use it as a footstool if they're unable to reach a tall cabinet.
7. Magic Erasers - your best friend for quick wall touch ups.
   
   
8. Lint Roller - when in a pinch it's great for picking up lint and pet hair
9. Miss Mouth's Stain Spray - I found this by accident once at 5 Below store when I couldn't find a Tide Pen. Never looked back. This literally removes any stain.
10. Luggage Rack - Great place for guests to place luggage instead of on beds where they can track dust and dirt and even bed bugs....ew
11. A Night Light - We provide this one at Mountain View and guests love it. It's great for entertaining kids and helps them adjust to sleeping in a new space
12. A Battery Organizer with different sized batteries - we store this conveniently in a place where guests can access if needed.
13. Measuring Cups and Spoons - guests appreciate these when baking or cooking
14. Pizza Cutter. Pizza will be purchased. You can bank on it. Pizza cutters are always a welcomed and unexpected surprise for guests.
    
    

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15. Warm Cozy Blankets in nicely displayed basket - especially on fall or winter days where guests can wrap themselves up and get comfortable
16. First Aid Kit - extremely appreciated when guest have cuts, bruises or small accidents. Great preventative measure for stains on furniture or sheets as well.
17. Hooks and Towel Racks - We have gotten comments on how much this was appreciated, especially in bathrooms
18. Mattress Protector - We use the kind that encases the mattress and zips up. Not super glamourous or pretty to look at but protects the mattress from costly water damage or worse! bed bugs! eek.
19. Food Storage Containers - Our guests love being able to store leftovers
20. Pizza Storage - I personally feel like this doesn't get the praise that it deserves. It's an ingenious way to store leftover pizza. Remember, pizza will be bought!
21. A Colander. This is one of those hardly thought about items but also one of the ones that comes in handy when a guest is cooking pasta or something that needs to be strained.
22. A Wine Opener. Buy one. That's it. That's all.
23. A Labeling Machine - I have one that I bought when we first started hosting, and I still use it today. It is excellent for labeling instructions on gadgets.
24. A Shower Cap! - How many times have you been somewhere and dreaded the fact that you have to get your hair wet when you didn't intend to. These have been a major hit at our Airbnbs. We even had a guest write it in a personal message.
25. Last but not least. Do-Not-Forget-The Salt And Pepper. A guest once wrote us about how much he appreciated the presence of Salt and Pepper at our Airbnb. Wow your guests by providing spices, or at the very least Salt and Pepper. We have ours in these cute mini mason jars.
    
    

QUICKLINKS: My Full Airbnb & Vacation Rental Hosting Essentials List

You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to impress your guests. Often it's these small inexpensive touches that earn five-star reviews and repeat bookings. Start with a few of these essentials and add more over time.

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