Looks Can Be Deceiving
The first thing you'll probably want to do after finally checking into your hotel room is to toss your bags on the chair, turn on the TV, and sink into bed. But not so fast—you might want to pull out some sanitizing wipes first, and maybe chuck those decorative pillows somewhere else. After all, you can't be too sure of what's been thoroughly cleaned and what hasn't, so don't blindly trust that everything in your room is spotless. From the kettle to the bathtub and even the towel rods, here are the 20 dirtiest things in your hotel room.
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1. Kettle
By far one of—if not the most—dirtiest things in your hotel room is the kettle, so think twice before you treat yourself to a hot cup of tea or coffee with the complementary packets. Even if you're a hygienic guest, others might not be so kind, and may have used the kettle to clean towels and dirty underwear, or even as a makeshift urinal.
2. Throw Pillows
Those decorative pillows you see on your hotel bed might look nice, but don't touch them, and definitely don't rub them on your face. Most guests have probably tossed them on the floor, and since it's not often that they're cleaned thoroughly (or at all), housekeepers just toss those bacteria-ridden pillows right back on the bed.
3. Towels
Sure, you might expect your towels to be clean if they're handed out as face, hand, and body towels. But be wary: even if they're cleaned between guests, they're often used to wipe the floors, toilets, and showers down before being thrown into the wash.
4. Ceramic Cups
Even if you're not using the ceramic cups for drinking coffee, you probably don't want to use them for brushing your teeth, either. Unless, of course, you're washing them thoroughly before putting them to your mouth. Just know that these cups are often only rinsed and never properly cleaned, despite the thousands of guests who came before you.
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5. TV Remote
Want to watch TV? Make sure to pick up the remote with a sanitizing wipe and give it a good cleaning, or else you could be touching all the germs every other guest left on it. Even though people often watch TV during their stay, housekeeping rarely gives the remotes a wipe-down, so be very wary.
6. Carpet
Sure, a carpeted hotel room might look more cozy than one with hardwood floors, but don't be led astray. There's a reason hotels often opt for colored carpets or ones with elaborate patterns—they hide stains, dirt, and grime. Never walk in your room barefoot.
7. Pillowcases
Even if the pillowcases probably get washed more regularly than the decorative pillows, you should still be wary. Sometimes, housekeeping might deem them clean enough to be reused, meaning you might have slept in someone's makeup stains or drool before.
8. Phone
Just like the TV remote, remember to give your room phone a thorough wipe-down before using it to call for room service or extra towels. Think of all the guests who have touched it before you, and when it was last sanitized (probably never).
9. Bathtub
You might think it's a treat to have a bathtub in your hotel room, but it's actually more sanitary to have a step-in shower instead. The last time you'd want to do is fill up the tub with your favorite wash, only to realize that you'll also be swimming in water that's contaminated with caked-up grime and bacteria.
10. Chairs & Couches
Before you throw your belongings and clothes on the chair in your hotel room or take a seat on the couch, you might want to wipe it down first—or avoid it entirely. Just like throw pillows, upholstered sofas and seating areas are often never cleaned, so they harbor far more bacteria than they might seem.
11. Bedsheets & Comforters
Yup—the bedsheets and comforters in your hotel room should also not be blindly trusted. Just like pillowcases, these might not always get washed after every guest if housekeeping deems them clean enough, so they're just reused for the next person. Never pull the blankets up to your face!
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12. Curtains & Drapes
You might swish those hotel curtains every morning and night to let in and block out light, but here's the thing: they're rarely cleaned, if ever. Housekeeping might dust them once in a while, but otherwise, they're probably washed once a year or once every two years.
13. Hair Dryers
Considering every other guest uses the hair dryer, you'll want to sanitize it before using. The last thing you'd want is to pick up all the germs on it and run the same hands through your clean, just-washed hair right after.
14. Light Switches
Another high-touch area you'll want to wipe down before handling? The light switches in your room. The same goes for the bedside lamps, too. These items are rarely ever cleaned and often overlooked, meaning you're picking up the germs from at least a hundred other guests if you're not sanitizing properly.
15. Room Service Menu
People usually touch room service menus before and after eating, which often means sticky hands and lots and lots of germs. Give the menu a thorough wipe before handling, or better yet, try seeing if your hotel has its menu uploaded online so you can view it from your phone.
16. Bathroom Counter
Think twice before laying out all your toiletries and makeup on the bathroom counter. After all, we're mostly washing our hands right after we've used the toilet, so who knows what kind of bacteria could be splashed and spread all over. Always make sure to disinfect the table and sink handles thoroughly before touching.
17. Desk
If you'll be working during your stay, give the desk a good wipe-down, too. Considering most people use the surface to eat, you'll come into contact with more germs than you might initially think. Plus, housekeepers typically clean the entire room with the same towel, so who's to say they don't wipe the bathroom before the desk?
18. Towel Rod
You'll want to be wary of the towels, but don't overlook the rods they're hung on. In fact, it's because these hooks are so overlooked that housekeepers don't usually wipe them down. That means they're constantly in contact with dry towels as much as wet, dirty ones.
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19. Door Handles
Don't just wipe down the light switches, towel rods, and remote—wipe the door handles, too. In fact, you should probably have a sanitizing wipe ready before you even open your hotel room door. Think of all the people who touched the knob before you in just the last couple of hours!
20. Your Key Card
Your key card, too, should be wiped down. You might not immediately think to when the front desk receptionist hands it to you, but just the thought of how many hands touched it before you should cause a shiver to run down your spine.
