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© Shutterstock
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TV remote
- The remote control is one of the most frequently touched objects in a hotel room, but is rarely disinfected properly.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
TV remote
- Guests handle it after eating, coughing, or using the bathroom, making it a prime breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
© Shutterstock
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Light switches
- Light switches, especially those near the entryway and bedside, are touched by nearly every guest, but are often overlooked during housekeeping.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Light switches
- Because they're small, they don't always receive the same cleaning attention as larger surfaces. However, they can accumulate germs from multiple guests, potentially spreading bacteria and viruses.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Bedspread and comforter
- Unlike sheets and pillowcases, which are changed between guests, bedspreads, and comforters are washed much less frequently.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Bedspread and comforter
- Some hotels only launder them a few times a year, meaning they can harbor sweat, bacteria, and even bodily fluids from previous guests.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Bathroom faucet handles
- Since guests touch bathroom faucet handles before washing their hands, they can accumulate bacteria, viruses, and other germs.
© Shutterstock
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Bathroom faucet handles
- Housekeeping may clean the sink and mirror, but sometimes miss wiping down faucet handles thoroughly. Tests have found that they often contain traces of fecal matter and other harmful bacteria.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Phone handset
- The in-room phone may not seem like a major risk, but it's one of the least frequently sanitized objects in a hotel room.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Phone handset
- Guests often handle the phone while eating or after touching their face, transferring bacteria onto the receiver.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Desk and nightstand
- These surfaces collect dust, spills, and bacteria from guests who place drinks, bags, and other items on them.
© Shutterstock
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Desk and nightstand
- Wiping them down with a disinfectant wipe before use can help reduce germ exposure.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Carpet
- Hotel carpets see heavy foot traffic, absorbing dirt, bacteria, and allergens from countless shoes.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Carpet
- Vacuuming helps, but deep cleaning is rare, letting germs build up. Walking barefoot can expose you to bacteria, fungi, and even bedbugs.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Toilet flush handle
- Just like faucet handles, toilet flush handles are touched before handwashing, making them a germ hotspot.
© Shutterstock
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Toilet flush handle
- Many guests don't realize how dirty they can be, so consider using a tissue or sanitizing wipe before touching the handle.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Curtains
- Curtains are seldom washed, despite absorbing dust, allergens, and even mold spores. They're frequently touched when guests open or close them, but are rarely disinfected between stays.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Curtains
- If you're sensitive to dust or mold, avoid touching the curtains or wash your hands afterward.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Mini fridge handle
- The mini fridge is often stocked and used by multiple guests, but the handle is rarely disinfected.
© Shutterstock
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Mini fridge handle
- If you plan to store food in the fridge, consider wiping down the handle with a sanitizing wipe first.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Kettle and coffee maker
- Coffee makers and kettles in hotel rooms can harbor mold, bacteria, and residue due to infrequent cleaning. Many hotels only rinse them rather than properly sanitizing.
© Shutterstock
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Kettle and coffee maker
- Run a cycle with hot water before use, rinse thoroughly, or bring disposable filters or a travel kettle for hygiene and peace of mind.
© Shutterstock
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Door handles
- Door handles are high-contact surfaces that may not receive thorough cleaning. Since they're constantly touched by guests and staff, bacteria and viruses can linger.
© Shutterstock
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Door handles
- Using a tissue or hand sanitizer after touching door handles can help reduce the risk of exposure.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Sofa and chairs
- Sofas and chairs in hotel rooms are rarely deep-cleaned, making them a hotspot for dust, bacteria, and stains. Previous guests may have left behind sweat, food crumbs, or worse.
© Shutterstock
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Sofa and chairs
- Therefore, avoid sitting directly on upholstered surfaces, especially with bare skin.
© Shutterstock
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Ice bucket and tongs
- Many guests use ice buckets without liners, allowing bacteria and mold to build up inside. Since they're rarely washed between stays, they can be a hidden source of germs.
© Shutterstock
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Ice bucket and tongs
- If you plan to use the ice bucket, request a fresh liner from the front desk or wash the bucket with hot water and soap first.
© Shutterstock
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What should you do if your room is too dirty to stay in?
- Immediately inform the front desk and request a different room. If the issue persists, ask for housekeeping, escalate to management, or consider switching hotels. Sources: (Reader's Digest) (HuffPost) (Forbes)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
TV remote
- The remote control is one of the most frequently touched objects in a hotel room, but is rarely disinfected properly.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
TV remote
- Guests handle it after eating, coughing, or using the bathroom, making it a prime breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
Light switches
- Light switches, especially those near the entryway and bedside, are touched by nearly every guest, but are often overlooked during housekeeping.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Light switches
- Because they're small, they don't always receive the same cleaning attention as larger surfaces. However, they can accumulate germs from multiple guests, potentially spreading bacteria and viruses.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Bedspread and comforter
- Unlike sheets and pillowcases, which are changed between guests, bedspreads, and comforters are washed much less frequently.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Bedspread and comforter
- Some hotels only launder them a few times a year, meaning they can harbor sweat, bacteria, and even bodily fluids from previous guests.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Bathroom faucet handles
- Since guests touch bathroom faucet handles before washing their hands, they can accumulate bacteria, viruses, and other germs.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Bathroom faucet handles
- Housekeeping may clean the sink and mirror, but sometimes miss wiping down faucet handles thoroughly. Tests have found that they often contain traces of fecal matter and other harmful bacteria.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Phone handset
- The in-room phone may not seem like a major risk, but it's one of the least frequently sanitized objects in a hotel room.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Phone handset
- Guests often handle the phone while eating or after touching their face, transferring bacteria onto the receiver.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Desk and nightstand
- These surfaces collect dust, spills, and bacteria from guests who place drinks, bags, and other items on them.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Desk and nightstand
- Wiping them down with a disinfectant wipe before use can help reduce germ exposure.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Carpet
- Hotel carpets see heavy foot traffic, absorbing dirt, bacteria, and allergens from countless shoes.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Carpet
- Vacuuming helps, but deep cleaning is rare, letting germs build up. Walking barefoot can expose you to bacteria, fungi, and even bedbugs.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Toilet flush handle
- Just like faucet handles, toilet flush handles are touched before handwashing, making them a germ hotspot.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Toilet flush handle
- Many guests don't realize how dirty they can be, so consider using a tissue or sanitizing wipe before touching the handle.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Curtains
- Curtains are seldom washed, despite absorbing dust, allergens, and even mold spores. They're frequently touched when guests open or close them, but are rarely disinfected between stays.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Curtains
- If you're sensitive to dust or mold, avoid touching the curtains or wash your hands afterward.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Mini fridge handle
- The mini fridge is often stocked and used by multiple guests, but the handle is rarely disinfected.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Mini fridge handle
- If you plan to store food in the fridge, consider wiping down the handle with a sanitizing wipe first.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Kettle and coffee maker
- Coffee makers and kettles in hotel rooms can harbor mold, bacteria, and residue due to infrequent cleaning. Many hotels only rinse them rather than properly sanitizing.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Kettle and coffee maker
- Run a cycle with hot water before use, rinse thoroughly, or bring disposable filters or a travel kettle for hygiene and peace of mind.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Door handles
- Door handles are high-contact surfaces that may not receive thorough cleaning. Since they're constantly touched by guests and staff, bacteria and viruses can linger.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Door handles
- Using a tissue or hand sanitizer after touching door handles can help reduce the risk of exposure.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Sofa and chairs
- Sofas and chairs in hotel rooms are rarely deep-cleaned, making them a hotspot for dust, bacteria, and stains. Previous guests may have left behind sweat, food crumbs, or worse.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Sofa and chairs
- Therefore, avoid sitting directly on upholstered surfaces, especially with bare skin.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Ice bucket and tongs
- Many guests use ice buckets without liners, allowing bacteria and mold to build up inside. Since they're rarely washed between stays, they can be a hidden source of germs.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Ice bucket and tongs
- If you plan to use the ice bucket, request a fresh liner from the front desk or wash the bucket with hot water and soap first.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
What should you do if your room is too dirty to stay in?
- Immediately inform the front desk and request a different room. If the issue persists, ask for housekeeping, escalate to management, or consider switching hotels. Sources: (Reader's Digest) (HuffPost) (Forbes)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Uncovering commonly missed dirty spots in hotel rooms
Hotel rooms seem clean, but hidden germs and grime make it worse than you think
© Shutterstock
When you check into a hotel, you expect a clean and comfortable space, but hidden germs often linger in unexpected places. While housekeeping freshens up the room, many areas are rarely deep-cleaned, accumulating bacteria, mold, and grime from previous guests. From remote controls to carpets, some spots are far dirtier than you'd think.
Click on to find out the dirtiest spots to watch out for.
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