Hotels strive to offer their guests the cleanest environments. However, even with the strict hygiene standards, many visitors have encountered lurking darkness in some areas, especially on high-touch surfaces. So, before you chill out in that lavish, cozy room, check what could be hiding in the corners. Here are the 15 dirtiest spots in every hotel room.
Light Switches
Light switches are things guests will touch more often, which makes them more likely to be contaminated by bacteria. Since you have to illuminate your room, doing a little extra cleaning will not hurt. Bring an antibacterial wipe to clean that bedside switch before getting in contact with the high level of bacteria and germs on the surface.
TV Remote
Remote controls are essential amenities for visitors’ comfort and convenience. However, like light switches, everyone touches them, and many do so without washing their hands. So, you might want to rethink ever touching a remote control without sanitizing it, as it might be the single filthiest item in a hotel room.
Telephones
In-room telephones are a vital hotel feature. You can use them to request services, contact someone in another room, or call for outside help. However, you should think twice before you handle these devices. With many people using them, they are among the dirtiest spots in every hotel room. It’s very easy to pick up germs and bacteria from unwashed hands.
Hairdryer
Many guests frequently touch hairdryers, yet they are hardly given thorough cleaning. Hotel cleaners focus on other areas, like the toilet, leaving other essential items dirty. New research suggests these electrical appliances are messier than the toilet seat. They blow out germs from previous uses, and cleaners are not compelled to clean them regularly. So, consider bringing your own the next time you stay in a hotel room.
Desks
The desk in your room is another high-touch item you should avoid during your next trip. Guests can quickly transfer germs from the bathroom to the desk or leave food or other dirty items behind. Hotel staff always try their best to clean these surfaces, but the frequency will vary from one hotel to another. Plus, many cleaners place dirty garments on the desk, increasing the chances of catching an infection.
Bathroom Counter
Although some hotel cleaners thoroughly wash bathroom counters, they are still notorious for accumulating germs. Besides being regularly touched by many guests, the soapy water from handwashing, hairspray, and toothpaste can contaminate the counters. It is common to find cleaners using the same towel to wipe surfaces, which can quickly transfer germs in different hotel room areas.
Ice Bucket
Hotel cleaners spend so much time cleaning the bathrooms, often with disinfectants. Unfortunately, ice buckets are never given the same level of cleanliness. In most cases, they are just rinsed off with water. Because guests frequently use them, they accumulate microscopic bacteria, which can cause infections to guests.
Drinking Glasses and Mugs
While many hotels have cleaning standards to ensure glassware is safe for guests, housekeepers don’t always follow the proper cleaning protocols. These items are rarely given thorough sanitization between guests, which makes them perfect hiding spots for germs and viruses. You can bring disposable cups and skip using them altogether to avoid catching an infection.
Bathtubs and Showerheads
Hotel bathtubs and showerheads are teeming with bacteria. Recent studies report that these items have higher bacterial counts than toilet seats. Germs can accumulate very fast in showerheads, which is why it’s advised that you clean the nozzles with a hard-bristled brush before using them. As for bathtubs, bring some dish soap (alternatively, you can use your shampoo). Fill the tub with hot water, throw in the detergent, run the jets for about half an hour, drain, and rinse it.
Soft Curtains and Drapes
Soft curtains and drapes have also proven ideal breeding spots for bacteria and viruses. They can trap various germ particles, from dust to pet dander. These fabrics rarely undergo deep cleaning. Since many guests frequently handle them, unlike in a regular household, hotel curtains and drapes need to be regularly cleaned.
The Couch and Chair
The couch and chair in your hotel are among the spots you should be wary of the next time you book a room. Recent studies postulate that these items hide germs like Staphylococcus aureus, which can spread when you come in contact with bodily fluids from previous guests. Additionally, they are some of the most notorious hiding places for bed bugs.
Blankets, Pillows, and Duvets
Unlike the frequently washed (or changed) sheets, blankets, pillows, and duvets are rarely automatically cleaned for months (some see laundry once or twice a year). This infrequent cleaning means dust and other contaminants usually pile up and cause bacterial infections in guests. But you can always bring disinfectant to spray on the pillows, blankets, and duvets before using them.
Door Knobs
Since everybody handles doorknobs whenever they come in and out of hotel rooms, they are a hotspot for bacteria and germs. With many people not cleaning their hands properly after a bathroom visit, transferring those germs to the doorknobs is easy. You can cover the knob with tissue paper or a paper towel to reduce the risk of contracting bacterial infections.
The Sink Faucet
Bathrooms are where most germs are lurking in your hotel room, and the sink faucet is one of the places you should think twice before touching. While some accommodation facilities increasingly embrace touchless faucets, which use sensors to begin water flow, many hotels still use the traditional ones. Ensure you sanitize before touching the sink faucet to avoid carrying bacteria and germs.
Carpets
Very rarely do hotel room carpets get deep-cleaned, which makes them a haven for germs that pose health risks to visitors. Sure, they get vacuumed, but that isn’t enough to remove all kinds of dirt particles that different guests walk in with. Even the highest-quality vacuums will hardly remove all the dirt, especially if the carpet is thicker.
