Airbnb Host Makes Every Guest Run the Couch Through the Dishwasher Before Checking Out

But there was a hot tub

September 27, 2022

By: Cate Halbeisen

A young couple celebrating their anniversary in Hampton, NH were shocked to learn of a series of strange requests from their Airbnb host upon entry. Among the most notable directions was to run the 350-pound Bernie & Phyl’s sectional through the dishwasher before checking out of the house.

“We only stayed for two nights and didn’t even sit in the living room,” said 29-year-old Nathan Leiberman. The couple were also told not to use the kitchen, a common restriction hosts inflict upon guests. “We didn’t want to get slapped with a fee so we kind of just hit the couch with the garden hose mist setting and sprayed the Poo-Pourri from the bathroom for a clean lemony scent.”

When asked if the host, whose name has not been revealed, had made any other bizarre requests, 31-year-old Sarah Bernthal explained they had been left a binder containing a list of chores they were expected to carry out throughout their stay. “It was a thick binder too, with laminated pages,” she said. “We were instructed to be on standby to remove the cat’s impacted stool and dose her with Miralax if needed. They didn’t even supply gloves!”

Nathan added that they had stayed in Airbnbs where they had to water the owners’ plants, but “this host had us sing Gregorian chants to their Maidenhair fern. Something about ‘optimal growth.’ We’re Jewish, so that felt especially wrong.”

“It kind of felt like we were paying just to house sit for them.” Sarah said. Turning to Nathan she continued, “Babe, we just fucking paid to house sit.”

They still had to pay a cleaning fee.