All of us hotel rooms are (hopefully!) cleaned in between gueststhere are some items that may be skipped by housekeeping, a expert has warned.
The TV remote is a common item that people should be careful with as they are often a haven for germs.
But now there’s one more item you need to pay attention to: the hairdryer.
Trichologist Jacqui McIntosh focuses on diseases related to the scalp and hair The Mirrorthat travelers should avoid hotel hair dryers at all costs.
According to the expert, there is a good chance that bacteria and germs are lurking in the device.
“Using a hairdryer that is full of bacteria and germs poses health risks and can be detrimental to the health of your hair,” she told the British publication.
A 2009 study found that hairdryers – along with in-room menus and ice buckets – are often missed by cleaning staff.
McIntosh says that when the microorganisms in a hairdryer get on your hair and scalp, “they can cause infections and irritations, disrupt your hair follicles and delay healthy growth.”
Even without concerns about bacteria and germs, there’s a chance that dust and mold are lurking inside the device, which she says are “troublemakers for your scalp.”
Some people may notice scalp irritation, dandruff, dullness, frizz and even hair loss as a result.
Moreover, not every hair dryer is the same: too much heat increases the risk of burning your scalp or damaging your hair.
“Neglected hair dryers are time bombs waiting to go off. The build-up of debris in the device causes overheating, increasing the risk of scorching your hair or scalp,” she explained.
It’s not just hairdryers you need to pay attention to; many other things in your hotel room could also be sneaky germs.
Extra blankets, for example, are stored in cupboards in hotel rooms, as they are often used for random purposes. ‘Usually they don’t get washed and then people put their luggage on them, shoes, and god knows what [on it]”, former hotel employee Christophe Lambert told it Yahoo! in 2020.
Ice buckets are also a no-go; Lambert calls them “puke buckets.”
“I wouldn’t use this unless you have a passenger ship and this is regardless of the caliber of hotel you’re staying in. Just don’t touch it,” Lambert revealed.
He also suggests washing mugs and cups, or literally anything you might want to put your mouth on in a hotel