When you check into a hotel room, you probably don’t expect to run into messy conditions. But lately, it turns out that some amenities aren’t as spick-and-span as they might seem. This information definitely matters for travelers who keep an eye on hygiene and safety while on the road.
The inside scoop on hotel freebies
Hotels usually offer little extras like soap, shampoo, tea bags, and sometimes even slippers to make your stay feel more comfortable. These items often look neat and welcoming. However, according to Jannessa Richards (a former hotel employee), things aren’t always what they seem. Richards points out that one item in particular—glasses—is rarely given a proper cleaning between guests.
In most hotel rooms, glasses are left alone unless you can see they’ve been used. This is mainly to save on water and electricity (yes, they’re trying to cut costs). Richards mentions, “At best, we rinse it with some hot water,” which suggests that even when someone takes care of them, it’s just a quick rinse that might not do the job.
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New rules shaking things up
The situation gets even trickier with some new laws coming into play in France. Starting January 1, 2025, the AGEC law will ban single-use plastic packaging, including the protective covers that hotels use for their glasses. Hotel staff now face the challenge of figuring out if a glass has already been used since these covers were a handy sign of cleanliness.
Without these protective layers, hotels might find it tougher to keep glasses sanitary. Richards advises, “I recommend not using them at all because they are neither washed nor changed between reservations as long as they look clean.”
Bigger worries about room cleanliness
The issue with glassware is just one part of a larger problem with hotel room sanitation. A study from the University of Houston found an alarming 80% contamination rate of fecal bacteria on various hotel objects. Items like TV remotes, toilet seats, shower floors, and light switches (all those things you touch every day) were found to be contaminated.
Even cleaning tools like mops and sponges that housekeeping uses can carry these bacteria. Instead of getting rid of germs, these tools might end up spreading them around the room.
Tips from the pros
Given these discoveries, experts have some handy advice for keeping yourself clean while in a hotel. Katie Kirsch from the University of Houston reminds guests to wash their hands as soon as they step into the room and to disinfect items that get a lot of use, like remotes and light switches.
Kirsch also suggests that when it comes to drinking glasses, it’s best to either give them a good wash first or skip using them altogether to lower your chances of encountering any nasties.
Playing it safe in hotels
Even though hotels do their best to offer a comfy stay, it turns out there are some hidden risks with certain amenities. Knowing about these risks allows you to take extra steps to protect your health while traveling.
With a bit of extra care and by following these tips, you can make smarter choices about where to stay and how to handle everyday items, letting you travel with a bit more peace of mind.
