Why should you avoid using glasses in your hotel room?
Do not always rely on the number of stars on the front of the hotel. Because even the most prestigious establishments are not infallible in terms of hygiene and cleanliness. We admit it, it is indeed difficult to believe, but the specialists are formal on this: in the majority of hotels, the deep cleaning leaves something to be desired. Especially when there is a large flow of tourists. The rooms are usually cleaned in a hurry and many elements are overlooked. Normally, it goes without saying that after each guest, everything must be carefully disinfected in every nook and cranny of the room, right? Well, unfortunately, very often this is not the case. As a result, germs and bacteria are not completely eradicated from the premises. So, don’t be fooled by all that glitters. Starting with the glasses! At best, they are cleaned superficially, at worst, they are not washed at all. It is not uncommon for you to find traces of lipstick. Which is outrageous. But even if there is no obvious stain, keep in mind that these glasses are rarely disinfected properly with suitable products. So do not take any risks and rinse them even before using them. We warned you!
6 Other Things to Watch Out of in a Hotel Room
At first glance, when you enter this room, it seems perfectly healthy and harmless. But, you are not at the end of your surprises. Because, it is not only the glasses that are neglected by the cleaning staff. All the small elements that compose it are very favorable grounds for microbes. Just remember that these rooms pass from hand to hand. Just make a little parallelism: imagine this turnover of people in your own room at home. You could stay there for another minute without having perfectly cleaned and disinfected every corner of the room? Impossible, we agree. Well, believe it or not, but danger is present in your hotel room.
Concerned about hygiene, some researchers have looked at the objects most at risk in this type of establishment, and this is chilling. Here are all the ones to avoid touching from the start. Bring cleaning wipes for your own safety!
The main switch
This is the very first thing you touch when you enter the room. And it is also the one that is, most likely, the most contaminated by germs. No, we doubt very much that the cleaning lady had time to meticulously disinfect all the switches in the room. As proof, a study conducted by expert Katie Kirsch of the University of Houston clearly confirmed that the switch is one of the dirtiest objects in a hotel room. His advice: wash your hands systematically every time you use it or touch the switch with your elbow to turn the lights on or off. It is clear, it is not practical, but prevention is better than cure.
We do not think about it, but this object is also one of the most dangerous! Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, also proved that remote controls in hotel rooms are full of bacteria, 20% of which are contaminated with bodily fluids. What a horror! And to say that you always held it in your hand with the utmost carelessness. Yes, but that was before. From now on, no more recklessness! Always remember to bring a box of disinfectant wipes in your suitcase. For the more manic, it is even possible to enclose the remote control in a transparent plastic bag, before using it, to create a barrier between you and germs.
You have no way of knowing when it was last washed. And it turns out that this bucket, always wet, is a very fertile environment for germs and bacteria. In theory, it is supposed to be cleaned at least once a month. In practice, it is highly doubtful whether this frequency is actually applied. We might as well do without it if possible!
Blanket and pillows
Ouch, the myth collapses. Under the pretext that the bedding seems immaculate and that The sheets often smell good, you are reassured to see that the hygiene is impeccable at this level. It is still in this bed that you will sleep during your stay! Alas, you should know that the blanket and pillows are never or rarely washed. Ideally, as soon as you arrive in the room, make sure to put the blanket or duvet at the foot of the bed (or even remove it completely!). Beware of blankets stored in the closet: nothing assures you of their cleanliness. Moreover, sometimes, when taking them out of the cupboard, they even smell an unpleasant musty smell. This is the worst-case scenario, do not use them! The same goes for pillows. So much so that some travelers even bother to bring their own pillowcases to feel safer.
It often sits in a corner of the room. Some use it, others don’t. But, one thing is certain, the sofa is not easy to wash or clean. So, it is definitely not free of dirt. Ironically, some hotel staff even recommend covering armchairs or chairs with a towel or sheet before settling in. You’d better take note!
Another invisible danger to be wary of: towels in the bathroom. Although they all seem white and fragrant, it is often only a lure. With the humidity in this room, it’s the favorite playground for a whole colony of bacteria and mold. After showering or bathing, avoid hanging them still wet. It is better to put them in the balcony so that they dry in the sun. And above all, ask that we change them every day!