11 Sneaky Ways Hotels Cut Corners on Cleanliness

Hotels are supposed to be clean, comfortable havens away from home. But sometimes, they’re not as spotless as we’d like to think. Many hotels use sneaky tricks to save time and money on cleaning. These shortcuts can leave rooms less than fresh, even if they look okay at first glance.

From reusing dirty items to skipping deep cleans, here are 11 ways hotels might be cutting corners on cleanliness.

Reusing Dirty Glasses

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Hotels often skip proper washing of glasses between guests. Instead, they might just rinse them quickly or wipe them with a cloth. This leaves germs from previous guests on the glasses. Moreover, the same towel may be used to clean multiple glasses, spreading bacteria.

Neglecting the TV Remote

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The TV remote is one of the dirtiest items in a hotel room. However, it’s often overlooked during cleaning. Additionally, remotes have many small buttons and crevices where germs can hide. Consequently, they can harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat. Lastly, cleaners rarely disinfect remotes between guests, making them a hotspot for germs.

Spot-Cleaning Bedspreads

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Some hotels don’t wash bedspreads or comforters between every guest. Instead, they only clean visible stains. Meanwhile, invisible dirt and germs can build up over time. Additionally, these items are often too bulky for hotel washing machines. Consequently, they might only get a deep clean a few times a year.

Skipping Under the Bed

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The area under the bed is often neglected during room cleaning. Vacuum cleaners might not fit under low beds. Furthermore, cleaners are usually rushed and may not take time to clean hard-to-reach spots. Meanwhile, dust, dirt, and even trash from previous guests can accumulate. This hidden area can become a breeding ground for dust mites and other allergens.

Reusing Dirty Sheets

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Some hotels don’t change sheets between every guest. They might only replace visibly dirty or wrinkled sheets. Moreover, they might simply smooth out the bed to make it look fresh. Additionally, some hotels use white sheets to make stains less noticeable. This practice can leave behind skin cells, sweat, and other bodily fluids from previous guests.

Ignoring Air Vents

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Air vents in hotel rooms often go uncleaned for long periods. Dust and mold can build up inside these vents over time. Furthermore, when the air conditioning runs, it can blow these particles into the room. Dirty vents can also affect air quality and trigger allergies. Cleaning vents is time-consuming, so many hotels skip this task to save time.

Quick Bathroom Wipe-downs

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Rushed cleaners might only give bathrooms a quick wipe instead of a thorough clean. They might focus on making surfaces look shiny rather than actually disinfecting. Grout lines and corners often get overlooked, and superficial cleaning can leave harmful bacteria in supposedly clean bathrooms.

Neglecting the Coffee Maker

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Hotel room coffee makers are often overlooked during cleaning. The water reservoir can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Furthermore, coffee pots are rarely sanitized between guests. Additionally, the warm, moist environment is perfect for germs to grow. Some hotels might just rinse the pot quickly instead of properly washing it.

Reusing Dirty Dusters

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Some hotels reuse dusters without properly cleaning them between rooms. This practice can spread dust and germs from one room to another. Moreover, dirty dusters might just move dust around instead of removing it. Additionally, reusing dusters saves time and money but compromises cleanliness. Lastly, this shortcut can leave surfaces looking clean but actually covered in invisible germs.

Skipping High Surfaces

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Cleaners often neglect high surfaces like the tops of wardrobes or picture frames. These areas can collect a lot of dust over time. Furthermore, guests rarely notice or complain about these spots. Cleaning high surfaces takes extra time and effort.

Rushing Between Check-outs

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Hotels often give cleaners very little time between guest check-outs. This rush can lead to cutting corners and missing important cleaning tasks. Moreover, cleaners might focus only on visible areas and ignore hidden spots. Additionally, thorough disinfection takes time that rushed cleaners don’t have. This time pressure can result in a superficially clean room that’s actually quite dirty.

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Mary Apurong

Mary Apurong is an experienced editor and ghostwriter who enjoys writing and reading. She loves researching topics related to life and creating content on quotes, gardening, food, travel, crafts, and DIY. Mary spends her free time doing digital art and watching documentaries.

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