Hosting houseguests has become a second source of income for many families. Websites like AirBnB.com and Vacation Rentals by Owner act as booking agents for your spare bedroom. For people who enjoy having guests in the home, this sort of arrangement is a great way to meet new people and share hospitality.
Travelers don't often bring their own toiletries with them; many seasoned travelers depend on the host to provide soap and other essentials.
Success in this "second business" requires hosts to behave professionally. According to AirBnB's hospitality blog, hosts who have a 5 star cleanliness rating tend to get booked 20% more often than those with a 4 star rating.