Why you really should wipe down your hotel room

Alright. This one puts me right at the top of the neurotic people playlist, but hear me out:

I sanitize a hotel room RIGHT after checking in. Every time. I don’t want to be questioning what sticky (?) fingers touched that light switch, what may or may not have happened in that desk chair, or what strange phenomenon transpired on that bathroom sink top before I arrived. 

Is this a bit much?  Ya probably- but I still do it.

Especially if I’m staying in a space for more than a night, I like to feel comfortable touching and using all surfaces in my space.  For this reason, I typically bring a package of cleansing wipes* and a small disinfectant spray to give a hotel room a little refresh before I settle in. (The cleansing wipes and disinfectant spray are also good for wiping your seat down on a plane or train. So it should be in your bag already!)

I wipe it ALL down, then spray and use extra hand towels to cover anything upholstered that my skin will come in contact with.

*Just a note to say that I realize disposable wipes aren’t necessarily the best for the environment. When the world isn’t being plagued by a hideous virus (f*ck off, COVID-19) that requires heavy-duty anti-viral cleaning products, I try to use biodegradable and non-toxic types to keep my carbon footprint at a minimum. I aim to reduce my waste/carbon footprint wherever possible, but these products are a necessary evil in this strange time of unyielding viral diseases.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

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I go long and wide on the scope: Literally, anything I’ll touch gets a good wipe and/or spray down: 

Handles – knobs – remotes – light switches – door locks – sink taps – the toilet – shower taps & tub – bathroom counter & sink – desk & dresser tops – drawers – closet doors – the desk chair & any other furniture (wipe the hard parts, cover the upholstered parts with a hand towel) – the headboard – countertop & table spaces – lamps – curtain pulls -the thermostat – drinking cups (they get a soap wash in the sink before I use them)…

ALL. OF. IT.  If I can reach it, I wipe it.

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I’ve neurotically sanitized my hotel rooms for years, but it seems more acceptable prudent now with COVID-19 and the reality of contracting and spreading really dangerous germs before you’re aware you’re infected- vaccinated or not.

TIP: Your travel steamer or the steam iron in your hotel room is likely to be hot enough to sanitize fabrics and kill any germs or other creepies hiding in the upholstery. Give any questionable upholstered items and your pillows/duvet a good steam to be sure nothing lives there rent-free.

Germs of all kinds aside- I often find strange sticky spots the cleaning crew missed that can easily be handled with a cleansing wipe and a few minutes of work.

HOT TIP:  I usually buy the cleansing wipes in bulk, then bring enough (read: A LOT, but not the whole container) in their own reusable zip bag to save space and to keep them sealed so they don’t dry out or leak in my luggage. (These bags are also awesome for toiletry packing and using in my kitchen at home!)

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