DON’T DRINK OUT OF THAT (HOTEL) GLASS!
Sometimes I astound myself at my own naivete. All these years, I seriously believed that hotel glasses — you know, the ones with the white paper caps over the tops — were replaced every day, or at least between guests. I’m talking about the glasses I use to brush my teeth, take my vitamins, and even the ones beside the ice bucket I use for soft drinks.
Boy, was I wrong. Thinking back, I should have know better. How many times have I passed the maid’s supply cart in the hallway? A hundred? What did I see on those carts? Tissue boxes, toilet paper, other paper supplies, linens, towels —- but NEVER a shelf full of clean glasses.
As a mystery writer, I’m shocked that I didn’t put together the clues. Let’s see, there were no glasses stocked on the carts, yet every time I checked into a hotel room, there were white caps on the glasses. Deduction: the glasses were cleaned by the maids.
New question: how were they cleaned? With dish detergent? Anti-bacterial cleaner? In your dreams, people. The cleaning crew has 10-15 minutes to clean a room. Trust me, they’re not going to stop to wash a load of glasses.
Want proof? Watch this clip made with a hidden camera for a TV expose (courtesy of Mercola.com): http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/12/11/beware-about-drinking-out-of-your-hotel-room-glasses.aspx
(You might have to paste it into your browser window, but for your health’s sake, it’s worth the effort.)
Here’s another tip I learned from a former hotel housekeeper: the coffee pots in the hotel rooms don’t get washed, either. The maids use their cleaning cloths to wipe them out – the same cloths that were used to wipe down the furniture, bathroom, etc. If you plan to make coffee, you’d better wash it yourself in scalding hot water.
Don’t know about you, but on my next hotel stay, I’m going to bring my own supply of paper cups — and some antibacterial wipes, too, for the TV remote, handles, etc. I am totally grossed out by that clip.
How about you?
I’m off for a family gathering. If you’re traveling this week, please drive safely.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
Kate
