Hotel cleanliness
 

I thought perhaps I should post my observations about hotel cleanliness. I was Director of Housekeeping at a major downtown chain hotel (one with all those points, etc.) As a result of those years I insist that those I love travel with the following:
1. A small bag of Clorox antispectic wipes
2. A disposable sheet (in case you can't get extra sheets from hotel)
3. A small hand towel and face cloth from home.
4. A small (legal)amount of liquid dish soap
5. A small (legal ) amount of 90% alcohol

Here's why:
1. The first thing the maid will do is wipe down the tub, she will then take whatever wet clothes and towels are on the floor to the cart, but the towels that have been used and are on the sink will be used to wipe down the counters! I clorox the door handles in the bathroom also.

2. Those fabric covered sofas and chairs--forget about sitting on those! Fabric furniture NEVER gets cleaned properly, or if it does get a shampoo every year or so that is not nearly enough to take care of the problem. Cover the chair with a bath towel and ask the front desk for two extra sheets (one for the sofa and the other to top sheet your bed (after you pulled the comforter off the bed). If the seating is plastic or leather wipe it down with the clorox cloth!

3. Those hand towels have been used for cleaning everything! It's your call, but sometimes you will be happy to have your own!

4. Those glasses--better hope they are the plastic kind pre-sealed in shrink wrap. If not, re wash the glass with your clorox wipe and rinse the glass well! NEVER, ever drink from a glass you have not washed.

In countries where traveller's tummy is a real threat don't forget to rinse out your glass, your toothbrush, anything you are going to put to your lips with bottled water.

Remember: most major hotels now use a wipe down product for their bath tups and sinks--it does not disinfect the way good old comet used to! it just makes every thing shine and takes away the scum. I usually put a hand towel in the bottom of the tub or shower stall so I can stand on that.

You should know that it is not unusual for human urine to show up on the bedroom walls under the special spectrum light. If you want to know how good your maid is look under the bed first thing! That'll give you a clue as to how to proceed.

I am not compulsive, but I have learned the hard reality of hotel housekeeping.

I just ignore the thought of how many 'happy endings' have occurred on a hotel mattress.

thanks for the heads up. Honestly, I'm not surprised that the rooms are filthy at major hotels.

You put a towel in the tub to stand on but you say you are not compulsive? I stay in hotels all over the world and have never been sick due to the hotel. If I did all the stuff you say I would never have time to sleep.

Most people on here would be amazed to read up on how much a dry environment kills 99% of all bacteria that is harmful to human beings.

The over-sanitized stuff that get's put on this website once a week is more harmful to you than getting that remaining 1% in your body.

If only the OP was once in a position to ensure house keepers cleaned a room properly. ;)


I don't worry about these things at all. Sure, it can be gross to learn how the sausage is made. But I doubt I have ever gotten sick from a hotel room, and you can certainly argue that exposure to germs only strengthens your immune system. Do I like the fact that there might be traces of (sterile) urine on the walls? No, of course not. But that doesn't mean I will clean all hotel walls just in case, or avoid going to a hotel in the first place.

I have no desire to clean my own room, lug around supplies or avoid sitting on certain chairs. YMMV, it seems.

Most hospitals are full of germs, and sick people...

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned TV remotes and light switch...etc

I don't need any of that stuff. I just bring my standard sleepwear.

;)

A certain amount of exposure to germs is healthy for your body because it helps build up your immune system.

May I mention other health hazards apart from hotel rooms :

Proximity to other people in the public forum - no end of germs etc.
Public transport - busses, trains, metro, trams and aeroplanes.
Money - they can be filthy, you never known who or how many people have
handled them and how they have handled them.
Public places - schools, offices, work places, restaurants etc.
Food prepared by others.
Public toilets !!!!
My house probably.

It is a dangerous world out there.......
I am curious as to how you manage everyday life, not to mention travel.
I live by the motto : what I can't see won't harm me and what I can see probably won't harm me unless I ingest it.

There is no one I love more than my two boys but I can tell you've they've stayed in every grotty backpacker hostel between Norway and NZ. As I did when I was their age.

If I "insisted" anything about how they travel they would "insist", not always politely (kids these days!) that I butt out and MYOB. I shudder to think what they would do with "90% alcohol" but probably not use it on their hands.

My six-year-old nephew stayed with me for a week during spring break. It was his first real city experience and we did it all--rode the bus, visited museums, went to the zoo, went out to eat. The day before he was to leave, his mom flew into town and met us out at a restaurant. When we headed back to my house, he was so excited to show his mom what a city pro he was (saying hi to the doorman, riding the elevator, etc.). But the funniest: The first thing he said when we walked into my home was, "OK Mommy, now we go wash our hands, because cities are dirty places and we've been touching a lot of stuff." It's nice to know they hear you even when you think they're not listening!

(And despite my regular hand washing, I still woke up with pink eye the day after he left...)

Thanks for the post, alpenrose. Don't pay any attention to the haters advocating an ignorance-is-bliss attitude who attempt to berate you for your informative post. It is always interesting to learn what goes on behind the scenes and it was kind of you to share your inside knowledge.