With the growing awareness of the importance of public health, the issue of hotel cleanliness has become extremely important. Contaminated surfaces in rooms can pose a health risk, especially in the absence of unified standards guaranteeing the required cleanliness. This raises the question of whether the level of cleanliness in holiday accommodation is reliable.
Many people think that hotel rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each guest leaves, but the reality may be different. Despite the efforts of cleaning staff, some areas may remain dirtier than expected. Studies have shown that some items contain bacteria and viruses, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Why aren’t you getting a clean room like you expected?
When booking a hotel room, you should be aware that other people have stayed in the same room before you, which requires your caution.
On the other hand, the cleaning team must take care of 14 to 16 rooms over an 8-hour shift, which limits the time allocated to each room. During busy periods, room cleaning cannot exceed 30 minutes, which forces the crew to concentrate only on cleaning visible surfaces.
We therefore advise you to pay attention to certain places and goods before using them:
- Control buttons and door handles: These items include light buttons, heaters and air conditioners, which are used frequently. A study by Upgrade Points showed that the level of cleanliness in hotels is often lower than that in homes. An elevator button, for example, can contain 1,477 times more germs than a bathroom door handle and 737 times more than a household toilet seat. A hotel doorknob contains 918 times more germs than a household toilet seat.
- TV remote control: It is also considered one of the dirtiest items; It is ignored during cleaning despite its frequent use by customers. Research by US universities has shown that the device contains high levels of bacterial contamination.
- Upholstery and fabric surfaces: Linens are changed regularly, but some furniture, like curtains and rugs, may not be cleaned regularly, leading to a buildup of dust and germs. Kelly Reynolds, a professor of environmental health at the University of Arizona, noted that avoiding contact with quilts is a smart move.
- Sinks and toilets: Despite careful cleaning, the bathroom remains one of the places most likely to be contaminated. The process of flushing toilets causes pollutants to disperse, making faucet handles and toilet seats potential hot spots for germs.
- Coffee maker and glass cups: These items are among the most likely to be contaminated. Failing to clean kettles and mugs properly can cause germs such as salmonella or fungus to build up, which can lead to health problems.
A germ-free vacation.. How to maintain cleanliness?
To protect yourself from germs during your hotel stays, there are a few practical tips you should follow before traveling, the most notable of which are:
- Use a hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.
- Bring sterile wipes and shoe covers for your personal use.
- Avoid placing personal items on the floor and be sure to use closed water bottles.
- Request additional cleaning of the room if necessary and pay attention to contaminated areas such as buttons and remote controls.
- Choose hotels with positive cleanliness reviews and read reviews from previous guests to get an accurate perception of the level of cleanliness.