Checking into a hotel can feel like a fresh start after a long travel day. You drop your bags, kick off your shoes, turn on the TV, and finally get a chance to relax.
But hotel employees see guest rooms from a different perspective. Housekeepers and other staff know which surfaces get touched over and over by different guests and which items may not receive the same cleaning attention as sheets, towels, sinks, and toilets.
That doesn’t mean hotel rooms are dirty or unsafe. Cleaning routines vary from one property to another, and many hotels have strict housekeeping procedures. Still, some employees prefer to give certain items a quick wipe or rinse before using them.
Here are eight things hotel workers often treat with a little extra caution.
TV Remote Controls
The TV remote is probably one of the most handled objects in a hotel room. Guests use it to change channels, adjust the volume, browse menus, and turn the television off before bed.
Because it gets passed from guest to guest, it’s worth giving the remote a quick wipe with a disinfecting cloth before settling in. Pay attention to the buttons and the areas around them, where dirt can collect over time.
Decorative Bed Runners and Throw Blankets
The decorative runner or folded throw at the foot of the bed can make a room look finished, but it isn’t treated the same way as your sheets and pillowcases.
These pieces may be cleaned less often than the bedding you sleep on. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable wrapping yourself in it without knowing when it was last washed, there’s no reason to use it. Folding it over a chair or setting it aside while you sleep is an easy solution.
Drinking Glasses
A row of drinking glasses can make a hotel bathroom or minibar feel ready for guests, but cleaning procedures differ between hotels.
Some properties wash and sanitize glasses properly between guests. Others may have different procedures. If you’re unsure, give the glass a thorough rinse before using it, or ask the front desk for a fresh one.
In-Room Coffee Makers
For many travelers, the coffee maker is the first thing they look for in the morning. It’s also an item that can be easy to overlook during routine cleaning.
Coffee makers can develop mineral deposits and residue, particularly when they aren’t cleaned regularly. Some guests have also used hotel coffee makers for things other than brewing coffee, which is another reason some travelers prefer to rinse the machine before using it.
Related: How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar
Shared Toiletry Dispensers
Refillable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash dispensers have become common in hotel bathrooms. They’re convenient and cut down on the number of tiny plastic bottles used during each stay.
Still, some travelers prefer individual, sealed toiletries. If a dispenser looks damaged, dirty, loose, or poorly maintained, skip it and ask the front desk for another option.
Telephone Handsets
The hotel room phone may spend most of your stay sitting untouched, but plenty of previous guests have handled it.
People use these phones to call the front desk, order room service, request towels, or contact other rooms. Since the handset and buttons can be easy to overlook, wiping them down before use is a quick precaution.
Related: 12 Old Electronics That Are Now Considered Vintage
Alarm Clocks
Bedside alarm clocks are another item that gets plenty of hands-on use. Guests press the buttons to set alarms, change the time, turn off alarms, or adjust settings.
If you’re planning to use the clock, a quick wipe of the buttons and controls takes only a few seconds. Some travelers skip the hotel clock altogether and use their phone instead.
Ice Buckets
An ice bucket can come in handy for keeping drinks cold, but it’s another item worth checking before use.
If the hotel provides a liner, use it rather than putting ice directly into the bucket. You can also request a clean liner or fresh bucket from the front desk if the one in your room doesn’t look clean.
A few small precautions can make a hotel stay feel more comfortable without turning your vacation into a cleaning project. You don’t need to disinfect every inch of the room. Focus on the things you touch frequently, give questionable items a quick clean, and ask hotel staff for a replacement if something doesn’t look right.
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