“The Dirtiest Things in a Hotel Room”
New research showed that remotes and light switches are among the most contaminated items in hotel rooms.
“Researchers from the University of Houston took bacteria samples from several items in hotel rooms in three regions of the United States. While the toilet and the sink were expected to have high levels of bacteria, researchers also found more surprising items with high contamination levels, such as the remote and the switch on the bedside lamp.”
I knew it and this is the reason I always put the remote in a zip-lock bag :). Also, I don’t directly touch the switch on the bedside lamp – or the desk lamp as a matter of fact – but I use a paper tissue. I just put the tissues beside the lamps and use them when I need to switch on/off the lamp. I know it is ‘pathetic’, so to speak, but I worked for a short period in a hotel and no-one bothers (has time) to clean this stuff. It was a cheap hotel but I am sure it is the same for any hotel irrespectively of the price.
From the article: ‘The Dirtiest Things in a Hotel Room Revealed’
I know things are dirty, but I’m far from a germaphobe. I have been touching the light switches and remotes in hotels for years and I’m still alive so it’s all good in my book!
Also, think twice before you use those hotel glasses found in your bathroom or mini bar area – those are the least changed/replaced items! 😉
I’ve done this for years!
It is probably easier to have disinfectant wipes/spray to clean these at the check-in
Actually I used to do this, but too much work especially that I would check in very late so most of the time I wasn’t in the mood for this cleaning. However, perhaps I should go back to this ‘activity’, 5-10 min. of work, I am done with it and I have ‘peace of mind’ :).
Hey Cynical Traveler,
I’d love to chat with you more about this as part of research for a story. Could you please send me a message at the email I provided…
Love the site,
Thanks!