Never Run Out: How Much to Stock for Every Guest Count and Length of Stay

Few things undo a great stay faster than a guest running out of toilet paper. It's a small item, but it forces an awkward message, a store run or worse, and guests remember it when they write their review. The fix is simple: stock for the actual party size and length of stay, not a fixed amount for every booking.

Stock by guest-nights

The easiest way to plan is in guest-nights: the number of guests multiplied by the number of nights. Four guests staying three nights is 12 guest-nights. Use that number for everything that gets used up.

Rules of thumb for each stay

These are starting points. Adjust them as you learn how your guests actually use supplies.

Toilet paper

Plan on about one roll for every two guest-nights, then add two spare rolls per bathroom. Four guests for three nights is six rolls, plus two spares in each bathroom. Never leave fewer than four rolls in a bathroom, even for a one-night stay. Keep the spares visible, in a basket or open cabinet, so guests don't have to search.

Towels

Leave at least one full set per guest: bath towel, hand towel and washcloth. In our houses, we leave two sets per guest. Yes, that often means more laundry, but the impact on our workflow is small compared with the message it sends: you aren't cutting corners. Guests notice. For stays longer than four or five nights, leave extra sets or let guests know how to request fresh ones.

Bath products

Top up every dispenser to full before each check-in. Refillable dispensers hold far more than a stay's worth, so the only way to run out is to skip a top-up.

Facial tissue

One box per bathroom and one per bedroom. Replace any box that's less than half full.

Guest essentials

Leave a small set of cotton swabs, cotton pads, dental flossers and makeup wipes per guest in each bathroom, and keep extras within reach.

Trash liners

Put a spare liner in the bottom of each bathroom trash can, under the one in use. For longer stays, leave a few more where guests can find them.

Paper towels and hand towels

One roll of paper towels in the kitchen for every two or three nights, plus one spare. Two hand towels per bathroom for stays longer than three nights.

The bonus that gets noticed: an extras box

Beyond the basics, we leave an extras box in our bathrooms with the things guests most often forget or don't expect a rental to have:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Disposable razors
• Feminine products, including tampons and pads

It costs little and takes up a single shelf, and guests definitely notice. Since we added it, we've had many positive "they've thought of everything" comments. It sends the same consistent message as the extra towels: you're going the distance for their comfort.

Keep the extras box stocked on every turn, and treat anything a guest opens as used. Replace it rather than leaving a partly used item for the next guest.

Set par levels for your supply closet

A par level is the amount you always keep on hand. When stock falls below it, you reorder. Set pars by occupancy:

• Towels and linens: three sets per guest your property sleeps, so there's always one in use, one in the wash and one on the shelf. If you leave two sets per guest in the bathroom, as we do, keep a deeper rotation.
• Toilet paper: at least two weeks of supply at your typical occupancy.
• Bath products: one full gallon of each product in reserve, behind the one you're using.
• Consumables: enough guest essentials, extras-box items, tissue and liners for two weeks of turns.

Make restocking foolproof

• Label shelves with the item and its par level, so anyone can see when something is low.
• Add a reorder step to your cleaners' checklist, with a shared list or a text to you whenever an item hits par.
• Check upcoming bookings each week. A large group or a long stay may need more than your standard setup.
• Keep a small emergency kit at each property: extra toilet paper, a plunger, trash bags and spare light bulbs.

The goal: guests never think about supplies

A well-stocked rental is invisible. Guests never wonder whether there's enough, never message you for more, and never have to go to the store. That's what lets them notice the things you want them to remember.