A woman captures the internet’s attention after revealing the shocking condition of the pillow she had been sleeping on at her Airbnb.
On July 19, Kelly Juliano (@kellyjuliano) posted photos of the Airbnb pillow after removing the pillowcase on TikTok. The images have garnered over 171,000 views as of Monday.
“POV: You stay in an Airbnb for 3 nights and as you leave you take of the pillow cases,” read the video’s text overlay.
What Made This Airbnb Visit So Shocking?
The video featured multiple photos of a pillow with brown discoloration, which appears to be the result of a mold-like substance.
The video also includes a screenshot of her messages with the host. Responding to photos of the pillows, the host appears to have responded with, “Yeah I’m sorry, I am not sure what to say.”
Additionally, the TikTok includes photos of various stains, dead bugs, animal droppings, and other signs of uncleanliness.
Overwhelmingly, the commenters reacted in disgust, sharing similar experiences.
“As someone who has cleaned for ‘luxury’ Airbnbs, we don’t wash the comforters, and sometimes we don’t wash the sheets and pillowcases,” wrote one commenter. “Pillows are rarely replaced.”
“Pillows are generally 5-20 bucks at Walmart, there is no excuse for this,” added another.
“This makes me never want to leave my house,” wrote a third.
How Did The Pillow In This Airbnb Get In This Condition?
While the conditions shown in the video might be unusual, they are entirely possible. It is particularly possible for pillows to be in this condition if they are old, have been exposed to moisture, or have not been replaced or protected with washable covers.
Unlike pillowcases and sheets, the pillows themselves are not necessarily laundered after every guest. This makes pillow protectors and regular replacement especially important in short-term rentals.
Over time, sweat, skin oils, humidity, and accidental spills can soak through pillowcases and create discoloration. If a pillow remains damp for an extended period, mold or mildew can develop. This is particularly true in humid climates or poorly ventilated rooms.
What Policies Does Airbnb Have In Place to Prevent Similar Incidents?
Airbnb hosts range from individuals renting a spare room to professional property managers overseeing dozens of listings, meaning cleanliness standards can vary considerably. It is recommended to use zippered, washable pillow protectors beneath pillowcases and to replace pillows every one to two years, if not sooner.
Airbnb’s guidance for hosts says every guest should receive basic bedding. This includes a pillow with a pillowcase, and the company provides extensive cleaning recommendations through its hosting resources.
Those recommendations include using appropriate disinfectants, addressing mold where necessary, and following standardized cleaning procedures between reservations.
Airbnb introduced its Enhanced Cleaning guidance in 2020 with room-by-room recommendations developed alongside public health and hospitality experts, though participation in that specific program is no longer the primary cleanliness standard for hosts.
@kellyjuliano send help #airbnb #airbnbhorrorshow #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – kellyjuliano
Subplot reached out for comment to Juliano via TikTok direct message and the TikTok comment section, and Airbnb via email.
