Hotel room. Photo: Shutterstock You enter your hotel room; the air conditioner is cooling the air, the sheets are neatly stretched, and the view from the window is stunning. It's easy to feel like you're in a bastion of sterility and pampering. However, studies and laboratory tests in hotels around the world have revealed a simple fact time and time again: rapid disinfection between guests focuses mainly on large surfaces, while small, everyday objects remain laden with bacteria.
So that you can enjoy your next vacation with peace of mind, we have compiled a list of "times for disaster" in the room and the simple solutions that will make your stay much more hygienic.
The TV remote control
The problem: The remote is probably the dirtiest item in the room. Dozens of guests touch it every week, often while snacking or watching for long periods of time, but it almost never gets a thorough sanitization.
What to do? Wipe it with an alcohol-based wipe as soon as you enter the room, or simply put it in a small plastic bag (like a sandwich bag you donated from home) and use it through that.
The light switches and air conditioning control
The problem: These are the first surfaces we touch as soon as we enter a room with our hands fresh from our suitcases, the plane, or a trip outside. The bedside light switch is a breeding ground for microorganisms.
What to do? A quick cleaning of the main switches with a disinfectant wipe will solve the problem within half a minute.
The electric kettle and the glass cups
The problem: In many hotels, the glassware and mugs found in the room are quickly washed in the room sink by the cleaning staff, sometimes without effective soap. The electric kettle, meanwhile, sometimes accumulates stagnant water and scale between guests.
What to do? If you plan to drink coffee in the room, wash the cups yourself with hot water and basic soap. As for the kettle: boil water in it once and pour it into the sink before using it for the first time.
The decorative pillow and the cover blanket
The problem: While sheets, pillowcases, and pillowcases are washed at high temperatures between guests, the decorative pillows and top covers on the bed are washed much less frequently.
What to do? Very simple: Take the decorative pillows and top cover off the bed as soon as you enter the room and put them aside (on the armchair or in the closet), and do not use them during your stay.
The room's telephone receiver
The problem: Even though most of us use our personal smartphones these days, when we need to order room service or talk to the front desk, the room phone is pulled out. The receiver is held close to our face and mouth, and it is rarely cleaned thoroughly.
What to do? Wipe the receiver and keys with a tissue, or simply use the phone's speakerphone (hands-free).
There's no need to panic or become sterile monks - a vacation is meant to be relaxing and fun. Stocking up on a small pack of disinfectant wipes in your backpack and dedicating just two minutes to refreshing the sensitive spots in your room will ensure a pleasant, safe, and healthy stay.