There’s nothing quite like checking into a hotel. The crisp sheets, the fluffy robes and the mini bar all scream ‘holiday mode.’
But according to one professional cleaner, the luxury might only be surface level.
Behind the pristine pillows and sparkling mirrors lurks a dirty little secret that most hotels don’t want guests to know.
Samantha Campbell, the owner of professional cleaning company Shyn HQ, has lifted the lid on just how much grime is hiding in plain sight.
And her insider tips are enough to make even the most seasoned traveller pack a jumbo container of disinfectant wipes before they leave home.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Samantha explained the biggest issue is time.
Hotel cleaners, she said, often have as little as half an hour to turn around a room before the next guest arrives.
‘It’s one cloth that is used to wipe the whole hotel,’ she admitted.
Hotel stays feel luxurious, but one expert warns it’s often only surface deep
‘So we’re talking the toilet’s not properly disinfected – imagine if I gave you 20-30 minutes to clean a whole apartment?
‘You would be like, “Alright, there’s no time for spraying on disinfectants, then wiping it off.” So most things [in hotels] are just done with water.’
That same cloth, she revealed, is dragged across benchtops, door handles, remote controls, light switches and even microwaves, meaning germs are simply spread from surface to surface rather than killed off.
If you’re also wondering about those hotel drinking glasses sitting neatly by the sink – they might look sparkling, but the reality is a bit more grim.
‘From what I know, they just get a cloth, rinse it under the sink, give the glass a rinse with the cloth, wipe it with the other cloth, and put it back,’ Samantha said.
If the housekeeper has time, they would typically use dishwashing liquid to clean the glasses or spray them with disinfectant – but if they aren’t dirty, a cloth is all that’s needed.
And while the bedroom and bathroom may look spotless on the surface, Samantha warned travellers not to be fooled by appearances.
The shower, she revealed, is usually given the bare minimum of attention.
Hotel cleaners, she said, often have as little as half an hour to turn around a room before the next guest arrives – and use one cloth that is used to wipe the whole hotel
Samantha recommended packing a few basics in your suitcase, like a packet of disinfectant wipes from Coles or Woolworths. Pictured:Pine O Cleen ($6) and Ajax wipes ($7.70)
She confessed thecleaners just do a quick wipe on the glass to make it look clean.
However, if you look closely at the grout around the crevices, she said there’s usually fungus and bacteria lurking.
Even soft furnishings like fabric bedheads and throw cushions are rarely – if ever – properly washed, meaning they could be harbouring years of germs, sweat and bacteria from hundreds of guests before you.
So, if you’re a hygiene-conscious traveller, Samantha says the answer is simple – always come prepared with disinfectant wipes.
‘I’m never going to a hotel room without it. It’s just simple; have wipes [and] disinfectant in your bag. You use that on the bench and you kill the bacteria. That’s it,’ she said.
She recommended packing a few basics in your suitcase, like a can of Glen 20 spray (retailing for $9.50) and a packet of disinfectant wipes from Coles or Woolworths.
According to her, Pine O Cleen ($6) and Ajax wipes ($7.70) are cheap, compact and do the job perfectly.
So next time you check in, don’t just pack your swimmers and sunscreen – throw in your own mini cleaning kit too.
