Best Sheets for Airbnb: Comfy Bedding for Your Guests

After picking out the best mattress for your Airbnb, the next step is choosing sheets that will help your guests relax and sleep soundly. Not only does the bedding need to be comfortable, it must also stand up to regular use and frequent washing.

To help you find the optimal sheets, we gathered and tested various brands and models to determine which ones meet the specific requirements of a vacation rental. Based on our tests, we chose quality sets at a variety of price-points, and we review the most important factors to consider when buying sheets for an Airbnb.

How We Test: Rigor, Data, and Sleeper Feedback

Our team has years of experience evaluating bedding, and we select top products for in-house testing. When examining sheets, we carefully assess how they feel against the skin and how well they regulate temperature. Our team includes sleepers with diverse preferences, so we can give a well-rounded description of how the bedding will perform for a broad range of people.

Why Are Sheets for an Airbnb Important?

Sheets are a crucial part keeping Airbnb guests comfortable. Sheets that feel soft and promote breathability allow guests to sleep well in an Airbnb. In addition, sheets for an Airbnb should look nice and hold up over repeated uses and washings. 

Shopping for sheets for an Airbnb is different compared to shopping for sheets for your own bedroom. In an Airbnb, sheets need to have a strong all-around performance that appeals to guests with diverse preferences. Sheets for an Airbnb also have to be laundered more frequently, so they should be durable and have straightforward care requirements.

How to Choose Sheets for an Airbnb

Anticipating the wants and needs of potential guests can be daunting, but there are some common elements that should be considered when choosing sheets for your Airbnb. Things like ease of care, durability, feel, temperature regulation, price, and visual appeal are all important factors. Choosing a sheet set that performs well across many categories can increase your guests’ satisfaction with your Airbnb.

What to Consider When Buying Sheets

When shopping, take into account important factors such as material, weave, feel, fit, price, color, durability, breathability, and ease of care. Look out for vague or misleading marketing claims, such as wildly inflated thread counts. Being a savvy shopper can help you optimize your Airbnb, earning stronger reviews and a better return on your investment. 

Material
A sheet’s material is the foundation of its overall feel, appearance, and performance. As such, you should pick sheets made with a fabric that suits your Airbnb. Each type of fabric has benefits and drawbacks, but some of the most versatile and high-performance materials include cotton, Tencel and bamboo-derived viscose.

Weave and Knit
Weave refers to how individual threads of fabric are woven together. The weave largely impacts appearance and feel, including whether sheets feel crisp and stiff or silky and smooth. Sheets with a sateen weave are often preferred for an Airbnb because of their sleek feel and shiny, elegant appearance. However, a crisp percale weave might be more suitable if your rental’s location is prone to hot or dry weather.

Feel
How a sheet feels can make an immediate impression on Airbnb guests. Softness facilitates overall comfort, and smoothness is especially beneficial for people with sensitive skin. In warmer climates, a crisp and cool-to-the-touch material is generally best, while cold climates call for a heavier, cozier fabric. That being said, blankets or comforters can help guests stay comfortable in a colder environment if the sheets aren’t the warmest.

Fit
Sheets that properly fit the bed can be the difference between comfort and frustration. Sheets that slip off the corners can wind up curled around a sleeper, exposing the mattress underneath. For that reason, it’s important to pick the right size sheet set while also focusing on the fitted sheet’s pocket depth. Mattresses over 14 inches thick require fitted sheets with deep pockets.

Price
Before shopping, we recommend assessing what you can afford and setting a clear budget. This will simplify your shopping and enable you to focus on finding the best sheets available within your price range. While luxury sheets can be expensive, you don’t have to break the bank to find a high-quality sheet set for your Airbnb. 

Thread Count
A sheet’s thread count refers to how many vertical and horizontal threads are in one square inch of fabric. Higher thread counts generally indicate more durability because more fabric is woven into the sheets. Higher thread counts can also provide more softness with some materials. That said, thread count is often inflated as a marketing tactic. Your ideal thread count will vary depending on the type of material you choose, and while it should be a consideration, thread count shouldn’t be the key focus when buying sheets. 

Design, Color, and Pattern
Visual appeal is important for any bedroom, but it’s especially meaningful for a vacation rental that you want guests to appreciate and enjoy. With that in mind, try to find sheets that complement the bedroom decor of your Airbnb. 

White is a popular color choice that replicates a luxury hotel’s crisp, clean appearance, and it can be bleached for stain removal. Other options include other neutral colors, earth tones, and patterns like stripes or checks. 

Breathability
Breathability means a greater capacity for airflow, which supports cooler sleep for people who tend to overheat in bed. Cooling sheets made from breathable materials can also wick away moisture for effective temperature regulation. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, Tencel, and bamboo-derived viscose regulate temperature especially well.

Durability
Durability is extremely important for Airbnb sheets since they will generally be used and washed more frequently. High-quality sheets are designed to last for a few years before wearing thin or losing their shape and softness. Bedding of lower quality will likely need to be replaced much sooner due to the demands of an Airbnb.

Ease of Care
In general, sheets should be washed at least once a week, and Airbnb sheets must be cleaned between guests as well. Machine-washable bedding makes this task much more efficient and avoids the hassle of hand-washing. Being able to put sheets in the dryer also helps reduce time spent getting sheets ready for use. Before purchasing, it’s wise to check the product details to avoid inconvenience from special care instructions.

What Types of Sheets Are Available?

Different types of sheets are generally categorized by their material and weave. Popular fabrics include cotton, silk, bamboo, linen, and polyester. Weaves such as sateen and percale further determine the sheet’s look and performance.

Materials

The first way to categorize sheets is by material. While many sheets are made entirely of one fabric, there are also blends available that capitalize on the benefits of different materials. Details about a sheet’s construction are available on the product tag, packaging, or in an online product description.

Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber commonly used in sheets because of its softness, breathability, and easy care. Long-staple cotton fibers offer the most luxurious and soft feel while also being more durable. Examples of long-staple cotton fibers are high-quality Egyptian cotton and American-grown Supima cotton. Depending on the weave, cotton sheets can have a cool, crisp feel or a smoother, sleeker surface.

Linen
Another natural, albeit more expensive, fiber is linen, which is made from the flax plant. Linen has exceptional breathability that is suitable for year-round use. The fabric can feel stiff initially but generally softens over time, although it won’t reach the same smoothness as cotton. Linen has a tendency to wrinkle and may require regular ironing to avoid a rumpled appearance.

Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is affordable and easy to clean, making it a popular pick for people on a budget. That said, it’s typically less durable and breathable than natural materials. Polyester sheets can be manufactured to have different levels of softness and smoothness, but its overall performance usually falls short compared to bedding made from other fabrics.

Silk
Prized for its lustrous appearance, gentle feel, and excellent temperature regulation, silk provides a luxurious sleep experience. It’s incredibly smooth with a beautiful drape. On the negative side, this natural fiber tends to be expensive and can break down quickly if special care isn’t taken during laundry cycles. 

Bamboo
Bamboo is a natural, sustainably grown material, and stalks of the bamboo plant can be used to make a semi-synthetic fiber called viscose that is used in fabrics. Bamboo-derived viscose excels in temperature regulation and has a lightweight, soft feel. This slightly stretchy fabric can be expensive and is sometimes blended with cotton to showcase the benefits of both materials.

Weaves

To create a sheet, threads of fabric must be woven together. There are different styles of weaving that can affect how a sheet feels and its visual appearance. 

Sateen
A sateen weave is a common feature in high-end sheets because it provides a shiny appearance and smooth feel. A sateen weave typically consists of a four-over-one-under thread pattern that results in more threads going in the same direction. Although not the most breathable weave, sateen is appealing to the eye and has an inviting texture.

Percale
Often used in cotton sheets, a percale weave has a basic one-over-one-under construction. With more overlap between threads, percale enables better airflow. Percale sheets usually have a crisp feel and a matte-like appearance. 

Jersey
To be clear, jersey is technically a knit, not a weaveJersey sheets are known for their soft, stretchy surface that resembles cotton T-shirts. These sheets have a cozy feel that is popular with children and people in cool climates, but their tendency to bunch and pill can impact their durability.

Cleaning and Maintaining Airbnb Sheets

Regular cleaning and maintenance is paramount when operating a successful Airbnb. To that end, sheets need to be washed more frequently than those in your home. In an Airbnb, sheets should be cleaned after every guest to maintain a sanitary environment. 

To avoid damage to sheets, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s guidance about washing and drying. Avoiding scented detergents is also a good idea in case any guests are sensitive to fragrances.

Unfortunately, washing sheets several times a week can shorten their lifespan and lessen their comfort as their fibers weaken. Even high-quality sheets will need to be replaced more frequently when subjected to the additional wear and tear from use in a vacation rental. Depending on the occupancy rate, you’ll most likely need to replace your Airbnb sheets every 6 to 12 months.

Another way to extend the life of your sheets is to buy more than one set and rotate them regularly. This eases the strain on both the sheets and your laundry schedule and makes it easier to prepare your Airbnb for quick turnarounds between guests. It can also be beneficial to have a replacement sheet set on hand in case a rip or stain happens during a guest stay.

Dive Deeper: In-Depth Sheet Guides

If you want to learn more about different types of sheets, check out our detailed guides below.