Emily Flores
You check into your hotel room, toss your bags down, and immediately start touching everything in sight. Big mistake. Some of the most innocent-looking surfaces are dangerous to human health, from hundreds of guests who came through. And housekeeping does their best, but certain spots get completely overlooked every single time. Here are the items experts say you should seriously think twice about touching.
TV Remote Controls
Your hotel room’s TV remote has likely been touched by numerous previous guests without proper sanitization. These devices usually end up on dirty surfaces and get handled during meals. A simple solution exists—just cover the remote with a clear plastic bag to create a clean barrier.
Light Switches
Light switches are surprisingly filthy. Such high-touch surfaces harbor bacteria and fecal matter but rarely get deep-cleaned between stays. Most lodgers touch them instinctively, but savvy travelers know better. Keep disinfectant wipes handy, or simply use tissue paper when flipping switches throughout your stay.
Door Handles
Door handles might be the germiest surface in your room. They’re the first contact point for every arriving guest, usually before anyone’s had a chance to wash their hands. Even with antimicrobial protection, germs accumulate fast. Simple fix: cover with a disposable wipe or your sleeve rather than touching them directly.
Bathroom Faucets
Every visitor touches them prior to washing, leaving behind oils and residue that can linger. Easy fix? Always grab a paper towel to turn off the tap. For completely hands-free use, book hotels with touchless faucet systems—they’re convenient, hygienic, and perfect for germ-conscious travelers.
Toilet Flush Handles
Most hotel guests don’t realize that flush handles harbor more germs than many bathroom surfaces. Hotel cleaning protocols usually miss thoroughly disinfecting these frequently touched spots. To protect yourself, place a piece of toilet paper over the flush handle before pressing it. Many updated hotels now even offer touchless flush systems.
Mini-Fridge Handles
Here’s the deal with mini-fridge handles—they are disgusting. People are constantly touching them with food-covered hands, thereby leaving behind sticky residue and bacteria. But guess what rarely gets cleaned? Yes, those handles. Do yourself a favor and wipe first.
Alarm Clocks
Hotel alarm clocks are kind of gross when you think about it. Every visitor before you pressed those same buttons with dirty hands at all hours. And the cleaning staff rarely gives them any attention between stays. Honestly, just forget it exists and set your phone alarm instead—problem solved.
Bedside Lamps
Ever notice how often you touch that bedside lamp switch? Multiple times a day, right? Well, so does every other guest—but housekeeping rarely sanitizes it. These little switches collect germs like crazy. A quick spray of hand sanitizer on a tissue takes five seconds and keeps you protected.
Coffee Makers & Kettles
That coffee maker in your room has probably seen some wild stuff. Hotel occupants use them for coffee, tea, and yes, some folks actually cook instant noodles in there. The water reservoir can get moldy over time. Run a plain water cycle first thing when you check in to flush it out.
Curtain Pulls
You grab the curtain cord without thinking twice, right? Well, so have hundreds of other guests before you. Those pulls collect bacteria and dust constantly from all that handling. They almost never make the cleaning checklist. Some upscale properties offer motorized curtains now—way cleaner and honestly pretty convenient too.