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Every time I step into a hotel room, I’m hit with the same mix of curiosity and anticipation. Will the room look as good as the photos promised? Are the glowing reviews about cleanliness actually true? And what about the little details we tend to overlook—like the seemingly harmless electric kettle sitting next to the complimentary tea bags?
As it turns out, that kettle might be the last thing you want to touch.
Why You Should Avoid the Hotel Kettle
Most hotels provide a kettle as a thoughtful convenience: a quick cup of tea before bed, a fast coffee in the morning, or even hot water for a makeshift hot-water bottle. But according to a trend that has been circulating for years, many guests use these kettles for something entirely different—and far less hygienic.
Some travelers reportedly wash their dirty underwear in the hotel kettle.
Yes, really.
While boiling water can kill some bacteria, it doesn’t eliminate everything. And depending on the hotel’s cleaning standards, that kettle may not be thoroughly sanitized between guests. So the next time you’re tempted to brew a cup of tea in your room, you might want to think twice.
But the kettle isn’t the only hidden hazard in a hotel room. Former hotel employee and TikToker @linda_irgendwo has shared several insider tips about what she avoids during her own hotel stays—and some of them may surprise you.
5 Things You Should Never Do in a Hotel Room
1. Always Put a Shoe in the Hotel Safe
Hotel safes are useful, but they’re also easy to forget. And if you leave valuables behind, your insurance may not reimburse you.
Linda’s clever trick:
Place one of your shoes inside the safe along with your valuables. When you’re packing to leave and notice a missing shoe, you’ll immediately remember to empty the safe.
Simple, effective, and almost impossible to overlook.
2. Avoid Using the Glasses or Cups Provided
Those neatly arranged glasses and mugs may look clean, but according to Linda, they often aren’t washed properly. In some hotels, staff simply wipe them with used towels instead of sanitizing them.
Not every hotel cuts corners—but enough do that it’s worth being cautious.
3. Don’t Hang the Door Sign
Whether it says “Do Not Disturb” or “Please Clean My Room,” Linda recommends avoiding door signs altogether.
Why? Because they can unintentionally signal when you’re away or when your room is unattended—information you don’t necessarily want to broadcast.
4. Don’t Leave the Bar Soap Behind
Most hotels replace the bar soap after each guest, even if it’s barely used. Instead of letting it go to waste, Linda suggests letting it dry and placing it on top of your suitcase.
When you unpack at home, your luggage will smell fresh—and the soap gets a second life.
5. Skip the Decorative Pillows and Bed Throws
Those stylish cushions and colorful bed runners? They’re rarely washed.
Since they’re considered decorative rather than functional, they often go long stretches without cleaning. While the sheets and pillowcases are changed for every guest, the decorative items are simply rearranged.
Best to move them aside and stick to the freshly laundered bedding.
Remember: Not All Hotels Are the Same
It’s important to note that hotel standards vary widely. A five-star luxury hotel will typically have stricter hygiene protocols than a budget-friendly three-star stay. Still, these insider tips can help you make smarter choices and enjoy a more comfortable—and cleaner—hotel experience.
Travel should be relaxing, not stressful. And sometimes, knowing what not to use in your room makes all the difference.
- Hector Pascua with references from wcn.de/picture: pixabay.com
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