Why You Should Avoid Hotel Drinking Glasses (And What To Use Instead)

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel, you probably assume that the room has been cleaned before you arrive. Fresh sheets, vacuumed carpets, and a wiped-down bathroom – seems reasonable, right? Well, brace yourself, because hotel drinking glasses hygiene might surprise you…you may want to think twice before using that seemingly innocent drinking glass sitting next to the sink.

The Dirty Truth About Hotel Drinking Glasses Hygiene
In a study from the University of Houston, Katie Kirsch found that 81% of hotel surfaces have fecal bacteria on them!

Here’s an example we’re found recently….

“Years ago I worked as a hotel housekeeper. On my first day, I witnessed something that has haunted me ever since. The girl training me, cleaned the inside of the toilet with a sponge – then used the very same sponge to “clean” the drinking glasses. Horrified, I asked if she thought that was unsanitary.

She shrugged and said, “What do you mean? I used soap!””

Let that sink in for a second.

Unfortunately, this isn’t just a one-off horror story. Undercover investigations and guest reports have revealed similar practices in hotels worldwide. If there’s no dishwasher or on-site restaurant, how exactly do you think those glasses are being cleaned? A quick rinse in the sink? A wipe with a potentially dirty rag? Do you really want to know?

Avoid the gamble altogether by bringing your own gear – check out the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler, a stainless steel, insulated option that keeps water cold for 11 hours (ideal for long flights) and fits easily in your bag. Another good alternative is the Hydro Flask (available in a mind-boggling number of colours and patterns!)

Other Hotel Room Hygiene Nightmares To Avoid
The drinking glasses aren’t the only culprits lurking in your hotel room. Here are a few other things you may want to reconsider touching:

TV Remote: One of the dirtiest things in a hotel room. Wrap it in a plastic bag (or the ice bucket liner) before using it. Better yet, spray it with WHOOSH! Screen Cleaner which safely disinfects electronics without damage – use it to safely clean your mobile phone too!
Light Switches: When did the previous person in the room wash their hands? Wipe them down with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for peace of mind. Another terrific alternative is the The Honest Company natural disinfectant and/or cleaning cloths
Chairs: Ever wonder what’s been on that fabric chair in the corner? Let’s just say “lonely internet guy” may have made himself very Put a towel over it before sitting down
Ice Buckets: Unless there’s a fresh plastic liner, never use them for ice. You don’t know what the last guest used it for. Think – puke bucket. A safe ice bucket alternatives for hotels is a pack of Ziploc Quart Bags to fetch ice safely from the machine
Carpets: Never walk barefoot. You wouldn’t believe how rarely hotel carpets get a deep clean. Slip on a pair of Crocs Classic Clogs (how did we ever live before they came along) – they’re lightweight, comfy, easy to pack, and perfect for hotel floors and doubles as shower shoes!
Bed Bugs: Always check under the mattress. Lift the corners and inspect for tiny brown spots. If you see them – run. Protect yourself with Hygea Natural Bed Bug Spray – an effective natural, non-toxic spray that’s travel-friendly

What You Should Do Instead…

Bring Your Own Bottle: A reusable water bottle is a safer alternative to any hotel glass. Try the Hydro Flask (available in a mind-boggling number of colours) – it’s durable, keeps drinks cold, and beats any hotel glass in size and safety.
Use Disposable Cups: If the hotel provides wrapped paper cups, those are the better option – or pack your own disposable cups for hotel stays for a clean, disposable backup
Disinfect Everything: Bring wipes and clean high-touch surfaces like light switches, door handles, and of course – the remote control. We never travel without with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes / The Honest Company natural disinfecting wipes for travel – they’re compact and perfect for on-the-go cleaning
Hang The ‘Do Not Disturb’ Sign: This minimizes unnecessary contact with your space and reduces the chances of contamination – especially after you’ve already cleaned the place. Don’t forget to wipe that sign down too with a quick swipe of your wipes
Use Shower Shoes: Always wear sandals in the bathroom and especially on the carpet. Trust us, your feet will thank you. One of the best shower shoes for hotel travel is the Adidas Adilette Shower Slides (or the previously-mentioned Crocs) are lightweight, water-resistant, and ideal for hotel stays

Top Travel Hygiene Essentials on Amazon:
Stainless Steel Insulated Tumblers – they’re listed for kids, but most hotel glasses are actually smaller than these
Check out these collapsible silicone cups Silicone Collapsible Cups for Traveling (2-Pack) 12oz
Plenty of alternatives can be found options HERE

Another horror story example we stumbled across:

“I remember reading an article that air hostesses sometimes wash their worn underwear in the electric kettle!”

Don’t Forget The Coffee Maker
While many hotels a have switched entirely to paper instead of glass, the same applies to the coffee carafe – it’s glass and how do you think that gets cleaned? Short of taking a coffee machine with you everywhere, its best to just avoid brewing coffee or tea in your hotel room entirely.

Final Thought
Hotels may look clean on the surface, but behind the scenes, it’s a different story. Even the best hotels don’t always know what the cleaning staff are doing. If you must use a hotel drinking glass, wash it thoroughly first – but honestly, it’s better just to avoid it altogether. Better yet, just drink your beer out of the can/bottle.

Happy (and hygienic) travels!

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About TravelBloggers…
Iain & Gail started blogging in order to inspire and motivate people to travel the world from their perspective – specializing in having the most fun while using the least amount of money…travelling on the cheap without sacrificing comfort.

** In the end you will only regret the things you didn’t do **