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These Hotel Room Items May Be Dirtier Than A Toilet Seat, Know This Before Using Them

Think your hotel room is clean? These commonly used items may carry more germs than a toilet seat. Know what to check before using them.

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom
  • Hotel room TV remotes are often dirtiest; rarely cleaned thoroughly.
  • Decorative cushions, fabric runners may go unwashed for days.
  • Electric kettles and coffee makers can harbor bacteria if uncleaned.
  • Drinking glasses might only be rinsed, not disinfected properly.

No matter how clean and shiny a hotel room may look from the outside, there are often certain things inside that can secretly carry the most dirt and germs. Clean bedsheets, shining mirrors, neatly placed towels, and a fresh fragrance may make people believe the room is completely hygienic, but the reality can sometimes be very different.

Surprisingly, the bathroom is not always the dirtiest part of a hotel room. Some of the most commonly touched items are often not cleaned as thoroughly as people think.

TV Remote In Hotel Rooms

One of the dirtiest items is often considered to be the TV remote. It is among the most frequently used objects in a hotel room. Almost every guest touches it, but not everyone uses it with clean hands.

Because of its small buttons and edges, properly cleaning a remote is not always easy. In many cases, housekeeping staff may simply wipe it quickly from the surface. As a result, food stains, sneezing germs, cough droplets, and bacteria from dirty hands may remain on it for a long time.

This is why many travellers clean the remote with tissues or sanitizer as soon as they enter the room.

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Decorative Cushions And Fabric Runners

Another commonly ignored item is the decorative cushions and colourful fabric runners placed on hotel beds. White bedsheets and pillow covers are usually changed regularly, but decorative cushions and fabric pieces may remain unwashed for several days.

Guests often place bags, shoes, or outside clothes on them, and sometimes even sit directly on them after returning from outside. Because of this, many experienced travellers remove these decorative items from the bed immediately after entering the room.

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Electric Kettle Or Coffee Maker

The electric kettle or coffee maker in hotel rooms also worries many people. Most assume that boiling water automatically makes everything clean, but the real concern is whether the machine itself is cleaned regularly.

Sometimes these appliances are not properly cleaned, which may allow bacteria or fungus to grow inside them. Some travellers wash the kettle before using it, while others completely avoid using hotel kettles.

Drinking Glasses May Not Always Be Safe

The drinking glass placed near the bathroom is also not always considered completely safe. Several reports have claimed that in some places, glasses are only rinsed with water instead of being properly disinfected.

Sometimes the same cloth used to clean other parts of the room may also be used for the glasses. Because of this, many people prefer washing the glasses themselves or drinking only sealed bottled water.

Other Frequently Touched Dirty Spots

Apart from this, items like light switches, door handles, telephones, curtain handles, and small buttons near the bed are also touched frequently but may often be overlooked during cleaning.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness around these things has increased significantly, and many travellers now consider carrying disinfectant wipes an important travel essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is often considered one of the dirtiest items in a hotel room?

The TV remote is frequently touched by guests with unwashed hands and is difficult to clean thoroughly, potentially harboring germs and stains.

Why should I be concerned about decorative cushions and fabric runners on hotel beds?

These items are not always washed frequently and guests often place bags or outdoor clothes on them, leading to potential contamination.

Are electric kettles or coffee makers in hotel rooms always clean?

While boiling water can kill some germs, the appliance itself may not be cleaned regularly, potentially allowing bacteria or fungus to grow inside.

Why might drinking glasses in hotel rooms not always be safe?

Some reports suggest glasses are only rinsed and not disinfected, or cleaned with the same cloth used for other surfaces.

About the author ABP Live Lifestyle

ABP Live Lifestyle curates stories around health, wellness, fashion, beauty, travel and everyday living, tracking trends, expert advice and seasonal essentials, while blending practical tips with cultural insights to help readers make smarter choices, live better, and stay in step with changing lifestyles.

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