Airbnb and Rental Host Checklist: How Much Toilet Paper and Paper Goods to Stock
Running out of toilet paper is one of the easiest ways to lose a five-star review. Here is a simple formula for how much to leave per stay.
Toilet paper is one of the basics every guest expects, and running out mid-stay is one of the most common complaints in rental reviews. The fix is simple: know how much a stay uses, leave a little more, and keep a backup supply on site.
How much toilet paper does a stay use?
The average person uses about 57 sheets a day, according to a 2020 Frontier Group report. Use that to plan each stay:
Sheets needed = guests × nights × 57
| Stay | Sheets used | Mega Rolls (about 250 sheets) | What to leave out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 guests, 3 nights | 342 | About 1.5 | 2 rolls in use + 2 spares |
| 4 guests, 3 nights | 684 | About 3 | 2 rolls in use + 3 spares |
| 4 guests, 7 nights | 1,596 | About 6.5 | 2 rolls in use + 6 spares |
| 6 guests, 5 nights | 1,710 | About 7 | 2 rolls per bathroom + 6 spares |
Guests on holiday often use more than average, so leave at least one or two rolls beyond the math. Put spares where guests will see them, like a basket by the toilet or an open shelf, so nobody has to message you.
The paper goods checklist
Bathroom
- Toilet paper: two rolls on or by the holder, plus spares (see the table above)
- A box of facial tissue in each bathroom
- Hand towels or a roll of paper towels for shared half-baths
Kitchen
- Paper towels: one full roll out, one spare. Select-A-Size rolls last longer with guests.
- Napkins, if you provide dishes for dining
Bedrooms and living areas
- A box of tissue on a nightstand or side table
Which products work best for rentals
- Toilet paper: long rolls mean fewer changes between cleanings. Angel Soft Mega XL is 2-ply with 480 sheets per roll. Scott 1000 has 1,000 sheets per roll and is a good fit for properties on septic.
- Paper towels: Bounty Select-A-Size, 12 Triple Rolls equals 36 regular rolls.
- Tissue: cube boxes look tidy in bathrooms and bedrooms. Cases like the Puffs Ultra Soft 24-box case cover many turnovers.
We've grouped host favorites in our Airbnb and rental host supplies collection, and larger cases in bulk and business.
Restocking tips from busy hosts
- Restock to a fixed number at every turnover, not "when it looks low." For example: always 2 rolls out and 4 in the cabinet.
- Keep a lockable owner's closet with at least a month of supplies, so cleaners never run out.
- Buy by total sheets, not roll count. Bigger rolls cut restocking time.
- Check septic needs. Rural cabins and properties on septic do best with thinner paper. See our septic and RV guide.
- Leave a short note showing where spares are kept.
How much to keep for a month
Multiply your average guests by booked nights for the month, then by 57 sheets. A property with 3 guests booked 20 nights a month needs about 3,420 sheets. That's around 14 Mega Rolls of 250 sheets. Add 20 percent for heavier use and guests who take a roll for the road.
Frequently asked questions
Do Airbnb hosts have to provide toilet paper?
Guests expect it as a basic. Airbnb lists toilet paper among the essentials guests can expect, so plan to provide enough for the whole stay.
How many rolls should I leave for a weekend stay?
For two to four guests over two or three nights, leave two rolls in use and three or four spares.
Should I buy 1-ply or 2-ply for a rental?
Guests generally prefer 2-ply for comfort. Choose 1-ply if the property is on septic or you want the fewest roll changes.
Sources
- Frontier Group (2020), via Reel Paper: about 57 sheets per person per day.
Written by the TissuPaper team. We stock and ship these products from Plano, Texas, and we update our guides when brands change their rolls or packs.
