Using the free toiletries provided in hotel rooms may be appealing, especially if you are only traveling with your baggage, but one expert warns you against doing so. While these toiletries may seem irresistible, there are many practices that can put a holiday goer at risk if they are used.
Dawn Morwood, co-director of cheap deals, warns that what's inside those bottles isn't necessarily the case. “Travelers often assume that hotel toiletries are safe and fresh, but the reality can be quite different,” she explains. With years of experience helping HolidayMakers navigate the travel industry, Dawn knows he's cautious when it comes to hotel amenities.
Ahead of the summer holiday season, Dawn shares some of the hidden risks that come with using hotel toiletries.
Tampering and refill bottles
Dawn emphasizes that one important concern is bottles tampered with or refilled with cheaper alternatives.
“I've heard from travelers who found bottles with broken seals and products that smell completely different from what the label suggests,” explains Dawn.
“Some hotels reduce costs by refilling branded bottles with common products. What's worse, some bottles are not properly cleaned between use.”
She adds that the practice of refilling luxurious branded bottles with cheaper alternatives is much more common than you think, especially when booking a hotel that's pretty low-priced.
Reuse containers without proper disinfection
Another problem with refilling and reusing bottles is that they may not be properly cleaned between check-out and check-in.
Dawn said: “You might think you're getting fresh products, but some hotels simply refill the bottles rather than replacing them entirely. This creates a hygiene nightmare.”
Safety branding
“The focus is to make toiletries look expensive and luxurious, but what's inside may not match the flashy packaging,” Dawn points out. “In some cases, the actual product separates or changes consistency, suggesting that it will sit there much longer than it should be.”
Warning signs to watch out for
There are many red flags that suggest that it is best to avoid hotel toiletries.
Broken or Lost Sealsunusual Consipsency and/or Colourstante Smelssticky or Grimy Bottle Exteriorsgeneric or handwritten labels
