Five dirty parts of a hotel room you should be aware of

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This was published 7 years ago

Five dirty parts of a hotel room you should be aware of

By Pamela Mcintosh
Updated
Don't touch that dial: The remote control in hotels can be crawling with germs.

Don't touch that dial: The remote control in hotels can be crawling with germs.Credit: iStock

While quality hotel rooms are always impeccably presented, that doesn't guarantee hygiene.

The recent grim discovery of a note under a hotel bed's fitted sheet, suggesting the bed linen had not been changed between guests, has us thinking about hotel room hygiene in general.

Cleaners have strict guidelines to follow and complete on a daily basis. But the reality of a small space accommodating hundreds of visitors a year means it's inevitable that bugs and bacteria are permanently living, free-of-charge, even in five-star establishments.

There are certain parts of a hotel room that are not as clean as you think.

There are certain parts of a hotel room that are not as clean as you think.Credit: iStock

Hotel bathrooms and beds may be your first thoughts of concern, but to be fair they are generally prioritised areas. Best to pack your antibacterial wipes still, because here's the not-so-obvious nasties.

See also: The nationality most likely to steal from hotels

1. TELEVISION REMOTE

A University of Houston study found plenty of germs, including faecal matter, on a bunch of hotel TV remotes.

Their tip: bring your own unopened shower cap, and tape it around the remote before you use it.

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The same advice can be used on door handles, which are also riddled with bacteria.

2. DRINKING GLASSES

In a Fox News investigation, hidden cameras revealed that many cleaners don't wash drinking glasses with soap before preparing them for the next guest.

With some cleaners choosing a quick spray with glass cleaner instead of washing thoroughly with detergent. Now, we won't drink to that.

See also: Rules to stealing toiletries from fancy hotels

3. COFFEE MACHINE

Don't brew that cuppa so fast. An expose by ABC News showed that some cleaners simply swirl water inside coffee machines instead of properly cleaning them.

This can lead to a build-up of bacteria. To be safe, head to a cafe for your caffeine fix.

4. BEDSPREAD

How often do you wash your own comforters, rugs or bedspreads? Exactly.

Comforters (often on top of the hotel sheets) may be a crucial piece of decor in most hotel rooms, but they're barely cleaned between use - if at all.

A CNN investigation reported that bedspreads "might only be changed four times a year".

See also: The worst things guests steal from hotel rooms

5. PILLOW CASES

When the US Today Show completed a hotel investigation across five top hotel chains, their hidden cameras revealed an unforgiving bed-changing trick among cleaners: they placed the pillow on the chair next to the bed while changing sheets, and simply gave the used pillows a 'fluff' before putting them back.

While there was no visible stains shown, the surface is touched by people's skin and hair, meaning bacteria, cosmetics, and - heaven forbid - head lice, could be present.

Another reason to BYO pillow.

Stuff.co.nz

See also: Hans Brinker: The worst hotel in the world?
See also: Best hotel in the world named by TripAdvisor - 2016

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