How dirty is YOUR hotel room? Microbiologist reveals where bugs are most likely to hide

A night in a hotel is something many of us look forward to, but a new report might have you packing that cleaning spray next to your flip-flops.

dr Primrose Freestone, Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester, has revealed the shocking truth about dirt and germs in hotel rooms.

Although they may appear to the naked eye, hotel rooms can, according to Dr. Freestone can actually be dirty – no matter how much you spent on the night.

“Whoever has slept in your room before you has deposited bacteria, fungi and viruses on furniture, carpets, curtains and surfaces,” she explained in an article on The Conversation.

“What remains of this germ buildup depends on how efficiently your room is cleaned by hotel staff.”

Although they may appear to the naked eye, hotel rooms can, according to Dr. Freestone can actually be dirty – no matter how much you spent on the night

Even before you reach your hotel room, you are confronted with a key germ hotspot – the hotel elevator buttons (stock image)

Even before you reach your hotel room, you are confronted with a key germ hotspot – the hotel elevator buttons.

“They are constantly being pressed by many different people, which can transfer microorganisms to the button surface and back to the fingers of the presser,” explained Dr. Freestone.

Municipal door handles can harbor many germs, including nasty belly bugs, respiratory viruses and even Covid-19.

“Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after using a grip before the next time you touch your face or eat or drink,” advised Dr. Freestone.

While you might think of the toilet as a dirty spot, bathrooms tend to be cleaned more thoroughly and are often the least bacteriologically colonized environments.

However, if the water cup isn’t disposable, says Dr. Freestone that it is worth cleaning before use.

Linens and pillows are usually changed between residents, but the bedspread may not be.

“These substances can become invisible reservoirs for pathogens – just like a toilet seat,” said Dr. Freestone.

“Soft fabric furniture such as cushions, chairs, curtains and blinds are also difficult to clean and must not be disinfected except to remove stains between guests.”

In-room devices such as telephones, kettles and coffee machines are practical, but their hard surfaces can also become a source of germs.

“Viruses like norovirus can live in infectious forms on hard surfaces for days, as can COVID-19 — and the typical time interval between room changes is often less than 12 hours,” warned Dr. Freestone.

In-room appliances like phones, kettles, and coffee makers can be handy, but their hard surfaces can also make them hot spots for germs (stock image)

By now, bed bugs could be lurking anywhere, from your mattress to your headboard.

“These blood-sucking insects are experts at secluding themselves in tight, small spaces and going without feeding for months,” said Dr. Freestone.

“Small spaces encompass the cracks and crevices of luggage, mattresses, and bedding.”

Based on the results, Dr. Freestone to wash and sanitize your hands regularly and to bring your own slippers or thick socks so you don’t walk barefoot on the hotel carpet.

“Since higher status hotels tend to use rooms more frequently, a more expensive room in a five-star hotel does not necessarily mean more cleanliness, as housekeeping costs eat into profit margins,” she concluded.

“So wherever you stay, take a pack of antiseptic wipes and use them on the hard surfaces in your hotel room.”

How dirty is YOUR phone? Stomach upset study reveals the ‘invisible life’ lurking on the average device – including E.Coli from human POO

Bacteria from human and cockroach poop are among the secret germs lurking on our phones, experts have warned.

E.coli and fecal streptococci were found on 100 percent of smartphone screens in a study of the harmful microbes plaguing our devices.

food poisoning germ, Bacillus cereus and pneumonia-causing S. aureus were also found on each of 20 swabs from 10 phones.

While none of them showed traces of salmonella, half of them contained P. aeruginosa, which is commonly found in cockroach feces.

SellCell COO Sarah McConomy, who led the study, said, “We wanted to find out how common harmful bacteria are on our phone screens and what types of bacteria are most common.

Taking the phone to the bathroom has been blamed for some of the germs found on screens