The superhost behind Captain’s Rest shares her bedding tips for five-star comfort.

| By Antonia Day & Sarah Andrews | Journal

“The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learnt About Bedding from Hosting 1000+ Guests”

The superhost behind Captain’s Rest shares her bedding tips for five-star comfort.

What does it take for an Airbnb to take the title of one of Australia's most sought-after accomodations? For host Sarah Andrews, a seasoned host and creator of Captain's Rest, the answer lies in perfecting the art of bedding.

From luxury linens to small but impactful details, Sarah's mastered the craft of creating a sleep experience so good it often ends up in her glowing reviews.

Below, Sarah shares her top tips for turning your guest bed into a sanctuary – whether you’re hosting for Airbnb or sprucing up your spare room for visitors.

What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt about bedding from hosting so many guests?

Hosting hundreds from around the world who are in vaycay mode has unexpectedly turned me into an expert on an incredibly niche subject, which always makes me giggle. My friends always laugh when I tell them I am an expert on being on holidays, I’m never sure which turn of events has landed me here, but I sure am glad!

But in all seriousness, a holiday sleeper is an entirely different bed set up then building your own nest at home, and there are a few key points to consider when hosting guests of your own:

Have you seen any trends in bedding preferences change over time?

Over the years we’ve seen a transformation from tucked in, stiff beds with every sheet and throw cushion to a much more relaxed, oversized soft set up. Bedding tends to be moved around the spaces to couches, floors and reading nooks – and hosting has shifted in a sense from formality and politeness to a sense of comfort, fun and nurture – where it's encouraged to curl up with a doona in front of a movie, or in some cases, spread out on the floor in front of a fireplace with a good book.

What are your best practices for maintaining bedding hygiene and freshness?

  1. Wash bedding on a hot wash to kill bacteria, with a hypoallergenic, fragrance free detergent between every guest, and consider a regular wash and maintenance schedule to care for your pillow and mattress protectors.
  2. Air and sun are your friends against moisture build up, mould and odours with your pillows, doonas and mattresses. Between guests, it’s best to leave bedding – or hung outside when possible, and pop a note in your diary to replace pillows every 1-2 years, and doonas every 4, as they lose support and cleanliness
  3. Mattresses need constant care and cleaning. We sprinkle ours with baking soda once a month while it’s airing out – and then a good vacuum with the upholstery attachment will remove dust, allergens, and potential dust mites.

For more from Sarah, follow her @sarahandrews.co & @captainsrest

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