Last Updated on July 11, 2023 by Rental Recon
I was a guest in a little vacation rental near Amsterdam. Arriving jet-lagged and exhausted, and having hiked about the city before traveling to the vacation rental.
I wearily climbed the narrow Holland stairs, showered, and slid between the luxurious European sheets. Oh, bliss! Those sheets inspired me to create a similar experience for guests staying at our own rental.
What are the best sheets for vacation rentals?
- Hotel Sheets Direct 100% Bamboo Bed Sheet Set – Soft as Silk
- Threadmill Home Linen 500 Thread Count 100% Cotton Sheets
- Organic Cotton Sateen Sheets- GOTS Certified
- Sonoro Kate Bed Sheet Set Super Soft Microfiber 1800 Thread Count Luxury Egyptian Sheets
- European Made Pure Linen Sheets Set
We’ll go into more detail about each of our selections below. Please note that not every sheet listed is the right choice for your listing – take time to assess your guest’s needs before purchasing sheets.
Bamboo Sheets
Where can you find the best sheets for your vacation rental? Below are my top seven choices. Please note that not every sheet listed is the right choice for your listing – take time to assess your guest’s needs before purchasing sheets.
Hotel Sheets Direct 100% Bamboo Sheets are an excellent alternative to cotton sheets. These sheets are a 1,600 thread count and are made from rayon derived completely from bamboo – a renewable resource. They’re also hypoallergenic making them a top choice for those with allergies. They also stay cool, which is needed if you have a foam mattress in your Airbnb.
Threadmill Home Linen 600 Thread Count 100% Cotton Sheets, Beige Queen Sheets 4 Piece Cotton Bed Sheet Set, ELS Cotton...
- 100% PURE COTTON & SATEEN WEAVE FOR ULTIMATE SOFTNESS, COMFORT & BREATHABILITY: Made using extra-long staple cotton yarns, our 600 thread count Queen sheet set are the perfect combination of smoothness, breathability, and durability. Meticulously crafted using sateen weave, these bed sheets offer divine softness and long-lasting shine at a perfectly reasonable price. The lightweight and cooling bedding also provides absolute comfort from night sweats all year long.
100% Cotton Sheets
These Threadmill Home Linen 100% Cotton Sheets are what I use in my rental. They have traditional 2-inch stripes with a sateen finish. At 500 thread count, they wear well and last a very long time.
Threadmill Home Linen 600 Thread Count 100% Cotton Sheets, Beige Queen Sheets 4 Piece Cotton Bed Sheet Set, ELS Cotton...
- 100% PURE COTTON & SATEEN WEAVE FOR ULTIMATE SOFTNESS, COMFORT & BREATHABILITY: Made using extra-long staple cotton yarns, our 600 thread count Queen sheet set are the perfect combination of smoothness, breathability, and durability. Meticulously crafted using sateen weave, these bed sheets offer divine softness and long-lasting shine at a perfectly reasonable price. The lightweight and cooling bedding also provides absolute comfort from night sweats all year long.
If I do need to match them, they are an industry standard and can be easily found and matched. I like the blue sheets but, with white sheets, you don’t need to worry about fading. These sheets can be too warm in southern climates.
Organic Cotton Sateen Sheets
Another great option is organic cotton sateen sheets. They are on the expensive side, but hosts could use this as an extra luxurious amenity that they offer in their Airbnb, and promoted in their listing. These sheets from Holy Lamb Organics offer GOTS Certified 100% organic cotton from India. They are lustrous on one side and slightly matte on the other. These are really durable and high quality sheets!
Sonoro Kate Bed Sheet Set Super Soft Microfiber 1800 Thread Count Luxury Egyptian Sheets
These 1800 thread count microfiber sheets hit all the marks for Airbnb hosts. They are super-soft, high thread count, hypoallergenic, fade-resistant, stain-resistant, and wrinkle-resistant.
The sheets are cool to sleep on and don’t lose their softness after multiple washing/drying cycles. They fitted sheet is deep and will wrap around most mattresses without needing clips. The sheets are also delivered in high-end luxurious packaging. Some reviewers did say that the sheets were a little thinner than they expected.
SONORO KATE Bed Sheet Set Super Soft Microfiber 1800 Thread Count Luxury Egyptian Sheets 16-Inch Deep Pocket，Wrinkle and Hypoallergenic-4 Piece...
- : Say goodbye to wrinkles, and tedious tasks like ironing, and hello to cozy, soft, and comfortable bedding!
- Luxury 4pc Bed Sheets Set - 1 flat sheet 105"x102", 1 fitted sheet 78"x80"x16",2 pillowcases 20"x40".Deep pockets that fit mattresses up to 16" deep with elastic around the fitted sheet. These sheets grip and fit better than any other sheet set! Bed sheet set is designed to fit nearly all mattresses with a depth that does not exceed 16". With added stretch and durable elastic the fitted sheet is designed to stay snug and fitted to your mattress.
Linen Sheets
European Made Pure carries a reasonably priced linen sheet set. Linen is made from flax and has a rougher texture than cotton sheets, but many people absolutely love them. These are organic and hypoallergenic.
The weave is wider and therefore the sheets breathe more while still insulating the body. They tend to wrinkle and should be washed several times before use. The more they’re washed, the softer they’ll feel.
What Does Thread Count Mean for Vacation Rental Guests?
Thread count is important to vacation rental guests, so much so that we advertise our sheets thread count on our description of our rental. We find that thread count is the ultimate way to ensure that our sheets are the highest quality. Here are a few facts about thread count:
- Thread count is the number of threads interwoven in a square inch. Schweitzer Linen has a guide that explains that a higher thread count usually results in a softer and heavier sheet.
- It’s generally a good idea to buy sheets that are over 200 thread count, but the quality of the thread matters as well as the thread count. Make sure you feel the sheet before you buy it.
- Larger thread counts are achieved by twisting two threads together. Sometimes this is called a two-ply thread count. Often this is done to give the sheets a dense, satiny feel. Twisting good quality thread also helps the sheet hold up to wear and tear better as the thread fibers are better protected.
- Cheaper sheets with a low thread count are more likely to pill in the dryer. Pilled sheets are an announcement to your guest that you don’t know how to purchase good sheets or you don’t care enough about their comfort to do so.
- Sheets with a low thread count quickly become threadbare and require more repair. I’ve learned over time that poor quality sheets tend to rip or tear at the seams.
- Mentioning the high thread count of your sheets in your listing can also encourage tentative or first-time visitors to view your rental as a comfortable place to stay.
How Do You Wash and Maintain Vacation Rental Sheets?
This question depends quite a bit on the type of fabric used. I’ll be answering it based on your average cotton sheet. Dyes and other factors may affect the wash-ability of your sheets so please use the manufacturer’s directions if they conflict with mine. Below are general instructions:
- Most sheets should be washed in hot water and dried on low heat.
- You can extend the life of your sheets if you line dry them. If you have room and it doesn’t block your rental’s view, dry sheets on a clothes line.
- Use a mild, scent-free detergent to protect your guests with allergies. There is nothing worse than expecting a good night’s sleep and waking up itchy or with a rash. Learn from my experience…the bedding I thought was beautifully scented sent one guest packing!
- Learn how to treat stains. Vacation rental stains on sheets can be difficult to manage. I use this handy stain removal chart published by Martha Stewart. Guests sometimes bring things into bed that you wish they wouldn’t, such as food, drinks and dogs! Be prepared to deal with messes.
- Make sure you have a minimum of two sheet sets per bed. This ensures you can switch out sheets if they’re damaged or dirty and helps in quickly changing your guest beds between guests without waiting for the laundry to finish.
- Organize your linen closet or storage space. I like to fold all my sheets and pillowcases around each other like a taco and place them in the bottom drawer of the dresser in the rental, but other people prefer a linen closet or to even hang sheet sets on wide hangers in the closet to keep them crease-free. Whatever you do, keep your sheets neat, clean, and out of the way.
Check Out Our Other Articles On Rentalrecon.com:
- Hotel Sheets Direct Review: Elevating Your Comfort
- The 5 BEST SHEETS for VACATION RENTALS Review- Cotton, Microfiber, and More
- The Best Pillows for Airbnb Guest Room (2023): Comfy, Quick-Dry, Easy to Clean
How Do You Choose the Best Sheet Style for a Vacation Rental? Are White Sheets Best?
Décor can be very important for your vacation rental. Some vacation rentals that I’ve personally stayed in had themes or were designed around the activities offered in the community. Depending on the purpose of your vacation rental, your sheet choice may add to your décor or seem out of step with the rest of the rental. Here are a few questions that may help you determine the style of sheet or material it should be made out of:
- Is your vacation rental in a city of country setting? Country roads are muddy and dirt can be tracked in and end up on your sheets. You’ll want to avoid silk or satin sheets as they can snag and take special care. Linen sheets are the most durable and would stand up to damage from sand or dirt. If your rental is in the city, consider a high luxury sheet in modern colors and prints. Geometric patterns create interest and can accent a mid-century décor.
- Do you rent to guests in town for sporting events? See if you can find sheets with the local team’s logo printed on it. This could be a fun touch for a die-hard fan.
- Do you have a special feature on your property that you’d like to reflect? If you’re renting a room in a Victorian house surrounded by flower beds, floral sheets with lace edged pillowcases would be an excellent choice or you could choose sheets with embroidered edges.
- Are you near a body of water? A nautical themed room could be easily achieved by using solid red, white and blue sheets on all the beds or choosing navy striped sheets.
- Do you rent out a fishing cabin or trailer? Choose sheets that bring the outdoors inside with patterned acorns or pine boughs and consider using flannel sheets to combat cooler temperatures like these clever fish sheets by Eddie Bauer.
- Whatever your décor is, try to accentuate it with your sheet selection. If you’re unsure, you think your décor may change, or you just want a clean and elegant look – you can always choose hotel-style white sheets.
Keep in mind that whatever you choose, be sure the sheets are of the best quality that you can afford. Just like my experience in the Netherlands, those sheets will be part of your guest’s memories of your vacation rental and may impact their reviews. Clean, crisp, luxurious sheets can make a normal bed feel like a spa-like vacation to your guests. The more tired they are on arrival, the more they’ll appreciate the attention you give their sleeping arrangements.
Related Questions:
If you own a Serger sewing machine, use that to repair split seams, otherwise use a tight zig-zag setting on your sewing machine, taking care to catch both sides of the sheet needing mending.
Use mattress clips to keep your sheets in place. These come in handy on your own sheets, as well.
