I have stayed at a lot of hotels and I still tend to be a germaphobe. Maybe it’s the amount of people or the fact that I don’t have any control in how the room has been cleaned that gets me. If you aren’t careful, your fear of germs can actually ruin a dream vacation. Whenever I stay at a hotel, I do the following things to lessen the amount of germs that I come in contact with and to provide myself with some peace of mine.
Check The Bedding
The chances of a hotel room having bed bugs is relatively slim, but I never take chances. Before I bring my luggage in I inspect all of the beds, couches and chairs. I also look at the sheets and make sure that they are clean and look like they have been washed. I never use the comforter as it’s not uncommon for comforters to not be washed in between guests. If you are worried that you will get cold in the middle of the night without a comforter, set the thermostat a little bit higher or request an extra sheet.
Wipe Down Surfaces
It’s not difficult to pack some sanitizing wipes in your suitcase and wipe down commonly touched surfaces. I pay extra attention to the remote controls and light switches. No matter how clean a hotel room is, these items are often overlooked. I also wipe down countertops, door handles and the handles on the sink. It’s also a good idea to put on a pair of gloves on while you are wiping these surfaces down in order to avoid the spread of germs. If you want to be even more thorough, wipe down the bathroom and wash any kitchen utensils that are in the room.
Be Cautious With The Floors
Hotel floors are a breeding ground for germs. You can’t really pack a broom or vacuum in your luggage, but there are some things that you can do. Wear your shoes or slippers when walking around your hotel room. Also, do not let kids crawl around on the floor either.
No one wants to go on vacation and clean, but if you are worried about germs you might not be able to enjoy yourself if you are fearful about getting sick. Taking precautions when you first enter your room will allow you to relax and not worry about coming into contact with those pesky germs.
