I bought a blue-light torch once, many years ago, because I fancied myself as a CSI in a hotel room. I thought it would be fun and make a great blog post.
But I then freaked out too much to actually put batteries in and take it with me on holiday, so it’s sat in a cupboard ever since.
You see, I realised that to use it, the room needs to be dark, and at that point, it’d be nighttime and I’d be about to sleep in it, with nothing I could do about my findings except stress out.
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So the first thing I do when I get into my hotel room is get rid of anything that might, in my mind at least, be icky.
I turf off any display blankets on the end of the bed, those things seldom get washed. I chuck off display pillows into the corner of the room for the same reason, and any prettily draped wool blankets over chairs, and I’m only really happy when the duvet is covered in doubled-sheets, because those definitely go through the laundry between guests.
If there’s a bedspread, it’s also gone, because you know the last guest sat on it with a bare bottom. Once I stayed in a place in Bali that was so awful, we tried to get our money back! And another time we actually escaped from a VRBO rental in New Orleans before the owner came round to collect the cash…
But this list of other things that are likely full of ick include some you may not have thought of, so be warned, if you read on you won’t be able to un-see them!
So here is a list of ick that you will want to have moist towelettes on hand for:
The TV remote
This innocuous-looking object is handled by everyone, and cleaned by… who knows? People are eating chips and using the remote, dropping their ketchup on it, and just generally creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
Use a disinfecting wipe over the buttons, sides and back, then let it air dry. Some people put a shower cap over it and use it through the plastic.
Decorative cushions and bed runners
As above, sheets are changed regularly, but those “pretty” cushions and fabric runners often live unwashed lives from guest to guest. Fling them straight into the corner.
The duvet cover situation
Some hotels change proper duvet covers between guests. Some still use quilts and blankets that are likely not washed every time. A dead giveaway is a long black strand of hair stuck in the blanket. Not mine!
Ask housekeeping for a fresh extra flat sheet, or fold the top of the top sheet over the blanket so it’s between you and anything that may not be washed after every guest.
The bathroom glassware and coffee cups
Here’s the conundrum: those glasses by the sink look innocent, but unless they’re sealed or individually wrapped, you should be suspicious. The difficulty I have is that I hate the extra single-use plastic going into landfill.
But my big fear is that housekeeping use their cloth (the mind boggles) to simply wipe out the glassware and put it back on the shelf. Run them under hot water with soap, or use the disposable cups, or your own water bottle instead.
Toothbrushes in the bathroom
I can’t unhear this one. A friend of mine never puts his toothbrush in a cup in the bathroom (which I always do – it’s part of my “moving in”). He reckons cleaners with attitudes use them to scrub the basin! He zips his into his toilet bag out of sight.
The ice bucket
People use ice buckets for actual ice. Other people use them for chilling wine. Some use them when they’re unwell. Enough said. Always use the plastic liner.
The kettle or coffee machine
People have admitted to cooking weird things in hotel kettles, and coffee machines may not have fresh water, as well as a receptacle for dust and mystery residue.
Before using the kettle, fill it with water, boil it, then tip that water out. For coffee machines, run a hot water cycle through first without a pod, and give the water reservoir a rinse if possible.
Light switches, door handles and drawer pulls
High-touch areas that are easy to forget when cleaning – even at home! A quick disinfecting wipe gives peace of mind.
The carpet
Bare feet on hotel carpet? Absolutely not. I always pack my slippers when I travel and park them beside my bed for scooting my feet into to go anywhere. That carpet has had suitcases, shoes, crumbs, spills and whatever came in from the hallway land on it.
The shower curtain
If there’s a fabric shower curtain, that’s a whole ecosystem. Mould, mildew and mystery stains make this an easy “no thank you”. Ask housekeeping to replace it. If that feels like too much fuss, keep it as far away from your body as possible, run the bathroom fan, and leave the curtain spread out after showering so it can dry properly.
The phone handset
Not used much these days, but when it is, it’s right by people’s mouths. Another quick-wipe item.
The minibar fridge
Before putting food or medication in the minibar fridge, check for sticky spills, smells or forgotten items. Wipe the shelf with a tissue or disinfecting wipe, and keep your items inside a bag or container. If the fridge smells awful or doesn’t feel cold, ask for it to be cleaned, replaced or emptied.
The ironing board and iron
A sneaky one. Irons can have melted fabric, sticky residue, or even mouldy water that has sat there for months and can splash out onto your clothes. Always test the iron first.
The spare blanket in the wardrobe
Often folded up beautifully, but who knows when it last had a proper wash? Ask housekeeping for a freshly laundered one if you’re planning to use it. If that’s not possible, put a clean sheet between you and the blanket.
The hairdryer
Usually found in bathrooms, handled with wet hands, tossed in drawers, and sometimes sticky around the buttons. Give the handle, buttons and nozzle a quick wipe before using it. Check the air vent at the back too — if it’s clogged with dust or hair, don’t use it. Ask reception for another one, or let your hair do its thing and call it “holiday look.”
The toilet brush, if visible
Unbelievably, some hotel rooms still have them. Just don’t.
This article is meant to be a bit of fun. I really do appreciate the people who work for minimal wages to clean my hotel room. And here are some nice ideas to let them know you appreciate them: leave a note of thanks, even better, leave a tip either daily or when you check out.
You’ll make their job easier if you strip the sheets rather than make the bed when you leave. You also make their job easier if you put your towels in the bathtub that you want replaced, and tidy your room. Especially put your own “icky” things away!