I have a Russian friend that always cleans out the amenities, including the extra roll of toilet paper. If he's staying more than one night, he puts them in his suitcase so they get replaced every day.

Only until recently have I started taking the shampoo and so forth, but I always leave the soaps if I've used them... It just seems like a great waste to me if the hotels just dump the hardly used soaps as rubbish... So it won't surprise me they do try to reuse/recycle them in some ways.

The dispensers always seem a bit tacky to me. I've encountered them plenty of times in airport lounges, but they're slightly different...

As tempting as it was though, I've never raided the cart. I feel I'm 'entitled' to use/take whatever is in the room, but taking it from a cart is a bit like taking other people's room service...

However, I've put away a day's supply so it can be replaced the next day though... :)

Our guest bathroom has a large basket filled with hotel toiletries - just so our guests will feel pampered :D No, I won't raid the cart, and most often only take the last day's replenishment.

OTOH, I have no problem asking the Italian restaurant for an extra loaf of bread (or two) to go with the leftovers ...

Sounds like my policy... I use what I need to use and will take home what is put out on the last day. Taking it every day isn't generally my style simply because if I don't touch it until the end, less stuff has to be put out. If there's something particular that I like (or something the girlfriend might want) then all bets are off.

Definitely. Same goes with Chinese food... ask for extra rice and you shall receive. If they want to provide it, that's their call (and my tip says thanks).

Some European hotels I have stayed in have a common bathroom - down at the end of the hallway. You are free to use the bar of soap that's already in the shower if you so desire. Kinda like recycle, eh?

Some African hotels I have stayed in do not replace the amenities. You use what's there until it runs out. Don't call the front desk until you are out.

I usually bring my own stuff, even if I am staying at a posh place like Frankfurter Hof. Best to be prepared.

M8

Thats a disgusting idea. Reuse shampoo bottles? I doubt it would be worth it to pay a poor soul to sit there with a funnel and a big bottle of shampoo. What if it overflows? Now gotta clean it up. As far as using soap in the washing machines, I would imagine most hotels have the professional laundry machines with the automatically dispensing detergent thing (my parents ran a dry-cleaners... those auto-dispensers are neat!).

Even without the auto-dispensers for commercial washing machines (does sound neat - wish they made one for my home washer) wouldn't regular soap generate too many bubbles in the washer? It certainly wouldn't work in one of those new low-suds washing machines.

I stay in hotels so often I don't need to buy soap for the house. I have a continual supply.

The soaps they used to give out on Crystal cruises lasted a very long time, but they have changed brands.

I don't raid the carts, but will give a tip to get more of what items I like.

My wife grew up rather poor and rarely got to travel. She likes to collect these as souvenirs of our trips. They also make nice gifts for her sisters (in addition to gifts we purchase, of course).

On the Marriott forum a similar question was asked, and a Marriott GM said he was unaware of any recycling programs for soap for Marriott.

Also, Bill Marriott has been quoted as saying that it's ok for the soaps and shampoos to be taken from the room by guests. They factor that into the cost of bizness. I don't think he was referring to raiding the maid's cart or stealing the slippers/bathrobes, however. ;)

Cheers.

Hmmmm, this sounds like you are talking about me :) Though I rarely take the extra toilet paper - just on special occasions :)

Thanks for the gross out of the day! YUCK!

Please, don't hold back: let us all know how you REALLY feel about unwed mothers!

If I suspect that it is a "reused one", I'd rather shower without soap.

I've worked at hotels for over 10 years (mostly Hilton properties), and I've never seen soap re-used. Sounds pretty nasty to me. If it's open, it gets pitched, even if it hasn't been used.

To my knowledge, it's ok for guests to take the shampoo/conditioner/etc. with them; some do, some don't. But to re-use the same bottle for another guest? No way. I could see all kinds of problems coming from that practice.