The allure of hotel stays is undeniable: cloud-like beds, endless fresh towels, and mini-fridges stocked with snacks create a temporary paradise. However, beneath this surface of luxury lies a potential minefield of germs and unsanitary conditions, even in rooms cleaned by professional housekeeping staff.
The Duvet Dilemma and Other Common Concerns
Caroline Bologna, a senior reporter at HuffPost, recalls her mother's stern advice from childhood hotel visits: "Peel the duvet cover or comforter down to the foot of the bed and don't lie on it because those are cleaned the least often." This warning highlights a widespread issue in hotel hygiene that many travelers overlook.
While remote controls and lamp switches have gained notoriety for harboring germs, they represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potentially contaminated surfaces in hotel accommodations.
The Coffee Maker Conundrum
One of the most surprising sources of contamination might be the in-room coffee maker, a beloved free amenity for many guests. Noah Michelson, co-host of HuffPost's "Am I Doing It Wrong?" podcast, expressed concern about these devices, noting, "I've heard the coffee pot can be really gross because you don't know when's the last time they cleaned it. Not just the pot itself, but the filter where the ground coffee and water goes can have mold in there."
For those who still want to enjoy complimentary coffee without worrying about microbial contamination, Michelson offers a clever pre-travel solution. "Take a kitchen sponge, fill it with soap, let it dry out, cut it in pieces and then just bring one of those pieces with you in a plastic bag. You can re-saturate it, and it'll be soapy and you can clean the glasses in your room or you can clean the coffee pot," he suggested.
The Ice Bucket Warning
Another potentially hazardous item is the hotel ice bucket. Michelson issued a stark warning about this common room feature: "I've read that people are using them to vomit in all the time, and they aren't necessarily being cleaned." He recommends using the plastic liner bags provided by hotels or thoroughly washing the bucket with a portable cleaning sponge brought from home.
Beyond Basic Hygiene Concerns
The podcast discussion extended beyond just cleaning concerns to cover various aspects of hotel stays. The hosts explored strategies for securing room upgrades, proper tipping etiquette for cleaning staff, and numerous other travel-related topics that can enhance the overall hotel experience.
Listeners can access the full episode through podcast platforms to discover comprehensive advice for making their next hotel stay both enjoyable and hygienic. The "Am I Doing It Wrong?" podcast has entered its third season, offering episodes on diverse topics including relationship advice, financial management, mental health strategies, and practical life skills.
For those seeking solutions to common problems, the podcast welcomes listener submissions at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com, with potential investigations into submitted topics for future episodes.
