There is some comfort in collapsing into a crisp white sheet after a long day of travel. But before you get too comfortable in a hotel room, hygiene experts suggest looking closely at the less obvious corners.
The beds are made fresh and the bathroom may look sparkling, but not all are under the surface. In fact, some of the most commonly used items in a room can be much more covered than a bit of dust. To avoid travelers find the troublesome surprises and potential risks associated with it, experts at Locksmith Dartford have compiled a list of often overlooked areas of hotel rooms that guests should be careful about.
1. Bedspread and decorative pillow
At the top of the list is a gorgeous throw and cushion. It could be thrown away before you get into bed.
According to Locksmith Dartford, these are rarely washed between guests' stays. Unlike bed sheets that are usually changed daily, “the bedspreads, decorative pillows, and throws are often not washed for weeks or even months.”
The former hotel cleaner, who was openly revealed on Reddit, said, “Most hotels don't wash big duvets, they just wash sheets. In the one hotel I worked for, if there is actually a dirty place, they just wash white duvets.”
Others admitted that it gets worse: “The hotel I'm just starting out is even worse. They have brown quilts that aren't washed out.”
2. Phone and TV Remote
This is the first thing that many travelers will reach when they enter the room. This is because the TV remote and mobile phone order room service. Unfortunately, these are some of the most contaminated items in the hotel. The SWAB tests identified everything from E. coli to traces of fecal material on high-touch surfaces such as remote controls and phones. Particularly a concern is Bacillus spp, a bacteria associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Includes:
The former cleaner explained why. “Even in really high-end places, you don't clean your room for more than 30 minutes… do you wear glasses by the sink? It's probably not fresh. I was able to rinse them out in the sink.
3. Bathroom
Despite its sparkling appearance, the hotel bathroom becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. For example, shower heads are known to contain 25,000 times more bacteria than toilet seats, but bathtub and shower curtains aren't too late. Worse, improper cleaning techniques can lead to surface-to-surface contamination.
4. Ice bucket
The innocent ice bucket next to the minibar has its own hygienic risk. According to the report, many guests use them as makeshift vomiting containers after spending an alcohol-fueled night. They usually rinse and return to service, so prolonged bacteria can remain for several weeks.
Experts recommend skipping the bucket unless the bucket has a plastic liner. Better yet, straighten the ice from the sealed bag in the bar.
5. Coffee makers and glass products
The indoor coffee machine is a best friend of caffeine enthusiasts. They can help you start in the morning with energy without spending a lot of money outside. However, without the deep routine cleaning, the warm, damp inside is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. “The rest of the coffee oil can be painstaking,” the safety team warns.
