As an Airbnb or vacation rental host, you need to make sure that your guests are sleeping on bedding that is not only comfortable, but also clean and free from dust, mites, and other nasty stuff that can lurk, especially on the pillows.
In this article, we’ll guide you through what a pillow protector is, how they differ from pillow cases, what to look for when buying, and why the Sweet Night Pillow is not just our pick for best pillow, but also the best pillow protector for Airbnbs.
The Importance of Pillow Protectors For Your Airbnb
After investing in a great pillow and pillowcase, buying a pillow protector for an Airbnb bedroom is essential. The pillow protector is an extra layer of protection for your pillow to shield it from drool, sweat, oils, hair, and dead skin cells that will undoubtedly come in contact with the pillow.
Preventing moisture buildup on the pillow will also keep bacteria and fungi from thriving on the naked pillow and the filler in it. And for your guests, that means avoiding allergies or getting sick during their stay.
Pillow protectors also shield the pillow from nasty bed bugs and dust mites that can take up shelter in the pillow. If that thought makes you shudder, then you definitely need to invest in a pillow protector for your vacation rental space.
Pillow protectors effectively make it easier to keep the pillow clean, since pillwos can be quite a hassle to maintain. Good pillow protectors and pillowcases also prolong the life of your pillows, since you can have just the protector and pillowcase laundered after each guest checks out.
What’s the Difference Between a Pillow Protector and a Pillowcase?
Simply put, the pillowcase will be the pillow’s first line of defense, since it’s the outermost, exposed layer which we actually put our heads on. The pillow protector is the sleeve or layer that the pillow will be placed in.
The pillowcase protects you and offers comfort, while the protector is meant to protect the actual pillow from drool, sweat, bacteria buildup and nasty bugs and dust.
What To Look For in a Pillow Protector
There are several factors to take into account to find the perfect pillow protector for your Airbnb.
Material and weave – Just like any other part of the bedding, take note of the material. From polyester and cotton, to bamboo and tencel lyocell, even plastic and vinyl and various polyblends, these materials offer different features and require distinct cleaning methods. How the fabric is woven is also essential to how breathable and moisture-wicking it will be, which brings us to..
Pore size – Pore size basically just refers to how closely the fabric is woven. This will dictate how successful the pillow protector will be in protecting you and the pillow against dust and dust mites, bed bugs, and other allergens.
Certification Standards – Some pillows, pillow protectors, pillowcases, and even other layers of bedding like duvets and mattresses have undergone certification testing and can claim an Asthma and Allergy Friendly Certification from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
Comfort – Since you will be putting your pillow in at least two layers of protection, you need to make sure the pillow protector and pillowcase do their job at providing comfort while not compromising on their other features. Some pillow protector materials can be noisy or feel stiff, which can be a nuisance and can impede getting a good night’s rest.
Easy to clean – Needless to say, because the pillow protector is a layer that will be washed each time a guest checks out, it needs to be easy to clean and maintain. Because a lot of pillow protectors have moisture-wicking features, they tend to dry fast, which is a huge plus for anyone running a vacation rental space.
The Best Pillow Protector for Airbnbs
We really didn’t need to look far with this one because our pick for the best pillow protector for Airbnbs and vacation rentals just happens to come right out of the box with our pick for best pillow: the Sweet Night Pillow.
Sweet Night Pillow with Pillow Protector
We stand by everything we have already said in our previous review of the Sweet Night Memory Foam Pillow: it’s the “holy grail” of pillows for its breathability, ease of cleaning, and its customizability to accommodate the various needs of Airbnb guests.
Sweet Night Memory Foam Pillow
But this time, we’re putting the spotlight on the pillow protector that comes with this award-winning pillow. The Sweet Night pillow protector is made out of high-quality 35% bamboo charcoal rayon that guarantees moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic qualities, and breathability. Its diamond pattern knitting ensures that it doesn’t pill when washed and feels so luxurious that you might just be tempted to use it without a pillowcase (though we wouldn’t recommend it 😉).
We actually can’t see any problem if you end up not pairing the Sweet Night Memory Foam Pillow’s protector with another pillow. It would be a great finishing touch to down or feather pillows to ensure that the pillows’ fillers are kept in place and the feathers won’t end up poking you while you’re catching z’s.
Other Airbnb Pillow Protector Alternatives
Pillow protectors from Everlasting Comfort and SureGuard are also great options for your Airbnb or vacation rental.
The Everlasting Comfort pillow protector offers a complete bedroom protection set as it comes with a mattress protector and 2 pillow protectors. Everlasting Comfort promises 2 layers of hypoallergenic, noiseless, and breathable build that allows air to freely pass through the fabric while still keeping its moisture-wicking properties.
SureGuard promises 100% waterproof protection against drool, perspiration, liquids, and other wet stains. The cotton terry fabric wicks away moisture while also staying soft and breathable.
Final Thoughts
Pillow protectors are definitely a must-have and will be a worthy investment for your Airbnb. They not only protect from the nasty stuff like body fluids, bed bugs, and dust mites, but they can also protect your pillow and offer a cost-effective solution in making sure that the pillow your guests will put their heads on will be kept clean.
The Sweet Night Memory Foam Pillow offers an all-in-one-package solution which makes it our top pick for both pillow and pillow protector. Everlasting Comfort and SureGuard also offer great alternatives that don’t compromise on quality.
