Photo of Airbnb Host's Superglued Hand Soap Goes Viral—But There's a Twist

Newsweek

05-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A photo revealing how an Airbnb host had taped and superglued the hand soap dispenser in his property shut ended up going viral on Reddit.
Putting a property on Airbnb can be a great way to make money. In 2024, figures published by the company revealed that, in the U.S., the typical host earned around $14,000 annually by inviting visitors into their homes.
But, while putting that might seem like a no-brainer in theory, the practical demands of being an Airbnb host can be fraught with pitfalls, as an example recently shared to Reddit shows.
In a post shared to the popular social-media platform, a user writing under the handle u/Ask_Bout_PaterNoster, presented a picture of the heavily taped-up dispenser.
It was shared to Reddit alongside a caption that read: "My Airbnb host taped the hand soap shut and superglued the tape leader for security."
At the time of writing, the post has been upvoted over 44,000 times, with many in shock at the apparent discovery. "Is it a particularly valuable soap brand?" one user commenting on the post asked.
A second said, "Soap bandits. Always with a clean getaway," while a third posted: "this is why I choose hotels." Elsewhere, one user commented: "You know who doesn't play stupid games like this? Hotels."
The response came as a surprise to Lawrence Langdale, from Columbia, South Carolina, the person who originally shared the picture to Reddit.
It wasn't for the reasons you may have expected, though. It turned out Langdale wasn't staying at an Airbnb; he was the host and the person who taped and glued up his soap dispensers for reasons he was happy to explain.
Langdale told Newsweek he decided to become an Airbnb host, renting out part of his house because they "straight-up can't afford the mortgage otherwise."
It has been a challenge nonetheless. Langdale said: "We spent about $2,000 getting the space ready: tons of new linens, furniture, security features, and I literally maxed out my credit card buying the final supplies for the first guest. I had to scramble to the store with change from our change jar to get basic toiletries."
Langdale said it was about 30 minutes before their first guest was due to arrive when he realized the only soap dispenser they had was the one they were using themselves.
Suddenly, his paranoia, fueled by any number of unsettling urban legends, kicked in. "I'd heard stories about people tampering with products," he said, "like, either doing gross stuff or even putting harmful things in bottles. So, panicking a little, I figured: OK, I'll tape it shut, and wrap the neck in painter's tape."
Still worried that someone might be able to take the tape off, Langdale went one step further by supergluing it. So far, it has generated little in the way of a reaction from anyone staying there. "None of the guests have actually said anything about it so far, and they seem to be using the soap, as it's going down," Langdale said.
The reaction online has been wild, though, but it has mostly been fueled by people sharing unsubstantiated myths and legends from the world of hotels and beyond. Many fall into the category of NSFW [not safe for work].
Langdale has been left stunned and quite amused by the reaction to his post. "I didn't expect that Reddit response when I posted it," he said. "Ruined a LOT of people's days."
The soap dispenser is staying in place for now, but, should business continue to boom, then an upgrade is definitely on the cards.
Airbnb hosts have gone viral for a variety of reasons. One host revealed how a guest racked up $3,000 worth of damage to their property. By contrast, another was stunned at how clean and tidy one guest left theirs. Then there was the host worried something didn't "feel right" about their place after the guests left.
Newsweek has contacted Airbnb for comment.