7 Ways for a Clean Hotel Stay

By Kathryn Weber

Most hotels do a good job of cleaning. Some don’t, though. Usually this is a problem at the particular hotel, and not a problem with the chain. And, although stays at upper-tier hotels with good names and high prices will usually be nice, even these hotels can suffer from time to time with cleanliness issues – and I know this from experience. For a short time, I was a mystery guest and performed evaluations of hotels. I had to check everything from whether the security was available to counting burned out light bulbs at the entrance. Unfortunately, my mystery guest experience uncovered too little concern about cleanliness and too much concern with small services most guests don’t use. As someone who still stays in hotels frequently, I want to stay in establishments that place a high value on the two “C’s” – comfort and cleanliness – with cleanliness ranking highest. Here are seven ideas that can help you have a cleaner, more enjoyable stay the next time your living space is away from home.

1. Check carpets and bathroom
Check the tub, counters, and floors, especially around the commode, to see if they have been mopped, leaning in the light to see if there are urine drops or stains on the floor. Look at the edges of the carpet, particularly at the entrance to be certain it was vacuumed.

2. Check for bed bugs
Unfortunately, there has been a resurgence of these nasty creatures and even some of the best hotels have them. Lift the covers and the fitted or bottom sheet and look for the bugs. If you see tiny drops of blood on the mattress or mattress pad, chances are, the bed has them. Look at the cracks of the headboard where the bugs will sometimes hide. If you find them, alert the front desk and wait there to show someone what you have found. Then, consider moving to another hotel or change rooms.

3. Look around the bed and nightstand
Is there excessive dust or crumbs? If so, you might have problems breathing. This is often caused by dust and mold. Hotel housekeepers should routinely use a crevice tool behind headboards to keep them clean.

4. Check the air vents
Many people have problems breathing in hotels. Do you see any black discoloration around the air conditioning vents or AC unit? If you do, ask for another room and explain that there appears to be mold around the air vents that can cause allergies or breathing problems.

5. Make sure there is a luggage rack
Bed bugs are often found in carpets, too, and if your luggage is on the floor, you might just bring a nasty visitor home. Request a luggage rack if there isn’t one in your room. Besides the bugs, it’s easier on your back to have luggage higher.

6. Remote cleanliness
One of the dirtiest items in the room is the television remote. Put it into a plastic bag or use a Clorox wipe and wipe the surface of the remote. Clorox now makes cleaner wipes in convenient travel pouches and these accompany me on every trip. While you’re at it, wipe down the phone receiver and alarm clock too.

Wear house shoes
Pack a favorite pair of slippers in your suitcase and always wear them at every hotel visit. Floors can often be dirty, so having shoes is an added layer of cleanliness. If you make a good sweep of the room and are satisfied with the cleaning, and you pack your slippers and Clorox wipes, chances are you’ll have a pleasant hotel stay without the worry about cleanliness bothering you.
Kathryn Weber is a home and decorating columnist who publishes the Real Home E-Zine. She welcomes your comments and questions. For more information, go to http://www.kathryn-weber.com or email questions to Kathryn@kathryn-weber.com