What supplies to stock in an Airbnb: the minimum that maintains 5 stars

Category: Operations & Cleaning

By: James Wu

Posted: 2025-12-03T22:02:56.421Z

I'm trying to find the balance between well-stocked and over-stocked. I don't want to nickel-and-dime guests by providing nothing, but I also don't want to spend $200/month on consumables for a property that generates $2,500. What's the minimum supply list that maintains a 5-star rating? What's unnecessary? And what do guests actually notice vs ignore?

Reply by Rachel Patel:

After tracking guest feedback across 200+ reviews, here's what actually matters: **TIER 1 — Essential (guests expect it, will ding you if missing):** - Toilet paper: 2 rolls per bathroom, 2 extras under sink - Hand soap: at each sink (we use foaming dispensers — $4 each, refill costs pennies) - Paper towels: 1 roll on holder + 1 spare - Dish soap: by the kitchen sink - Dishwasher pods: 4-6 per stay - Trash bags: in all cans + 2 spares under kitchen sink - Sponge/scrub brush: 1 new per turnover ($0.50) - Bath towels: 2 per guest - Hand towels: 1 per bathroom - Washcloths: 1 per guest - Shampoo + conditioner + body wash: dispensers mounted in shower - Coffee maker + coffee (12 pods or grounds for ~6 cups) - Basic cooking supplies: salt, pepper, olive oil, cooking spray - Laundry detergent (2-3 pods): if washer/dryer available **TIER 2 — Differentiators (what earns 5 stars and gets mentioned in reviews):** - Welcome snack basket ($5-10: granola bars, chips, bottled water, local treats) - Tea selection (box of assorted tea bags: $8) - Sugar + creamer for coffee - Extra blankets (in each bedroom closet) - Wine opener + bottle stopper - Phone charger (USB-C + Lightning) — guests forget theirs CONSTANTLY - First aid kit ($15 from Amazon) - Stain remover pen (Tide To Go, $3) - Umbrella at the front door - Flashlight (cabin/rural properties: essential for power outages) - Hair dryer (most guests expect this now) **TIER 3 — Nice to have (rarely mentioned but appreciated):** - Candles or wax warmer (ambiance) - Board games / cards - Books / magazines - Binoculars (mountain/beach views) - Beach towels (beach properties) - Cooler bag (vacation markets) - Spice rack (for long-stay guests) **TIER 4 — Skip (not worth the cost/maintenance):** - Individual shampoo/conditioner bottles (wasteful, use dispensers) - Fresh flowers (wilt, allergen risk) - Premium alcohol (liability + cost) - Extensive pantry staples (guests bring food for specific meals) - Robes (expensive to launder, often stolen) **My per-turnover supply cost: $12-15** - New sponge: $0.50 - Coffee restock: $3 - Soap/shampoo refills: $2 - Consumables (TP, paper towels, trash bags): $4 - Cleaning products used: $2 - Welcome snack: $5 **Monthly supply budget for a 2BR at 75% occupancy (23 turnovers/month? No... ~10 turnovers per month): ~$120-150** That's about 5% of a $2,500/month revenue property. Well worth the 5-star investment. For calculating your per-turnover costs and optimal cleaning fee, check https://strspecialist.com/tools/cleaning-fee-calculator.