10 Must-Do's Before Settling into a New Hotel Room
Travel can be exhausting—exciting, but also exhausting. This is partially why the first thing most of us do when entering a newly booked hotel room is plop onto the bed.
After all, the point of booking a hotel is to have a place to get cozy while away from home. And after all the searching for cheap flights and determining the best hotel the night, you deserve a comfy place to land.
But wait.
Hotel rooms are one of the top places that are filled with undetected germs. With a rotating door of different people coming in and out daily, there are so many hidden places in the room that really ought to be sanitized.
Before testing out the mattress or turning on the TV, there are a few things you ought to check out.
What germs?
Bacteria are ubiquitous and can thrive on frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
Staphylococcus aureus, including the methicillin-resistant strain MRSA, can be found on surfaces and is known for causing skin infections—often simply referred to as “staph infections.”
Another concern is Enterococcus faecalis, a bacterium associated with fecal contamination that can persist on bathroom surfaces if not properly cleaned.
Viruses, which can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory infections, can linger on surfaces.
The influenza virus, for example, can survive on surfaces like countertops and remote controls for several hours to days. Norovirus, a highly contagious virus associated with gastroenteritis, can also persist on surfaces and cause illness if proper cleaning measures are not implemented.
Fungi, including molds and yeasts, can find a home in damp or poorly ventilated areas of a hotel room. These organisms can cause respiratory issues in individuals with sensitivities or allergies. Bathrooms, particularly in areas with high humidity, are susceptible to mold growth.
Maintenance staff need to follow rigorous cleaning protocols to keep these germs at bay, and too often the type of cleaning done at hotels doesn’t actually address these unseen issues.
Guests can also take precautions, such as wiping down commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant wipes and washing their hands regularly. Additionally, proper ventilation and maintenance of dry conditions in bathrooms can help prevent the growth of fungi.
Keep it Clean
If you're planning to travel, make sure you keep your hygiene game strong and book a hotel that's super serious about cleaning. This will help you avoid any health risks from dirty surfaces.
Hotel housekeeping is famous for cleaning up the rooms every day. The housekeepers come around every morning to make the beds, restock soaps, and offer new towels.
In fact, if you are hoping to sleep in, you need to remember to put the hanger on the doorknob to make sure these same housekeepers don’t accidentally wake you up after a long night exploring your vacation destination.
Housekeeping is tasked with keeping the hotel looking perfect. But there is a huge difference between looking nice and being clean. Clearing the counters and doing a quick wipe-down might not offer the level of sanitation that you would expect when you quickly rent a room for your last minute vacation.
Before settling into your hotel tonight, take 5 minutes to wipe down the room. It doesn’t matter if it is a cheap hotel or an all-inclusive family resort, to keep your family healthy as you travel it’s worth spending 5 minutes doing these 10 things.
Have a look in the following spots before settling in for the night:
1. Remote Control: Wipe down the TV remote with disinfectant wipes, as it's one of the most commonly touched and germ-ridden items in hotel rooms. The remote control is also not an item that hotel housekeeping is looking for to clean.
Before you turn on the tv, use a Clorox wipe to make sure it is germ-free.
2. Light Switches: Disinfect light switches, as they are frequently touched but often overlooked during cleaning.
It is also wise to wipe down any chains for bedside lamps.
3. Doorknobs and Handles: Clean the doorknobs, handles, and locks, both inside and outside the room, as they can be heavily contaminated.
4. Bathroom Surfaces: Disinfect the toilet seat, flush handle, faucet handles, and any other frequently touched surfaces in the bathroom.
The shower is typically cleaned by housekeeping, but if you are planning on taking a bath or putting a child in the bathtub it is wise to wipe down the surface before using it.
5. Faucets and Sink: Wipe down the bathroom sink and faucet handles to ensure they are clean and free of germs.
6. Bedside Tables: Clean the surfaces of bedside tables, which are often used to place personal items and may not receive thorough cleaning.
7. Closet and Hangers: Check the closet, wipe down hangers, and ensure the closet is free of any dust or debris. If there is an item left behind in the closet be sure to call the front desk so they can determine what to do with the item. This would be a good indication that the room wasn’t cleaned as thoroughly as you may of liked.
8. Bedding: Inspect the bedding for cleanliness, and if you have any concerns, consider asking for fresh sheets and pillowcases. Pull back the bedding and fully examine the sheets before jumping into the bed.
9. Glassware and Utensils: Wash any glassware or utensils provided in the room thoroughly before using, or use disposable alternatives if available. Since many people will skip using the provided coffee cups they can sometimes stay in the room through several stays without being properly cleaned.
10. Floors: Check the floors for cleanliness, especially in corners and under the bed. You might want to give them a quick sweep or vacuum if needed. If you realize there is something that needs to be vacuumed or mopped up then you ought to call the front desk to ask for assistance.
If you're planning to travel, it's always a good idea to keep your hygiene in check and choose a hotel that goes the extra mile to keep everything clean and tidy. This will help ensure that your trip is a happy and healthy one, with no worries about unsanitized surfaces.
In the delicate dance between comfort and cleanliness, the final note is often struck within the walls of a hotel room. It's not just about fluffing pillows and turning down sheets; it's a symphony of sanitation that can make or break your stay.
As you embark on your travels, remember that behind the allure of luxury lies a silent orchestra of germs waiting for their moment in the spotlight. So, before you settle into that inviting bed, take a moment to be your own conductor of hygiene.
A well-sanitized room isn't just a nicety; it's your shield against the unseen performers that might otherwise take center stage in an unwelcome encore. After all, in the melody of travel, a clean hotel room is the crescendo that ensures your stay is nothing short of a harmonious experience.