Whether you’ve checked in to either a boutique hotel or a beachside resort, one question remains. What is the best way to know if a hotel room is actually clean?
There is no official cleanliness standard, but as travelers become more aware, many hotels are creating their own hotels.
but Paying more for your room doesn’t guarantee it will be cleaner. a 2024 Analysis of over 3,000 hotel inspections Ameris Sleep revealed that five-star hotels have three times more bedding violations than four-star hotels. The cleanest linens were found with 4 star properties.
So, no matter where you are staying, it’s not harmful to have a quick inspection and clean up the room.
This guide will help you find true cleanroom signs and provide you with tools to control when they are not. We share expert tips, travel-friendly hygiene products, and measures to ensure that your space is safe, sanitized and worthy of sleep.
Here’s how to evaluate hotel rooms like a professional.
1. Run a quick visual scan
What to check:
- Sheets and pillows: Look for dirt, hair or wrinkles that suggest reuse.
- Bathroom Surface: Check for water spots, soap or mold on your groutline.
- Remote control and light switch: These high-touch zones are often overlooked by housekeeping.
- Carpet corner and under furniture: Dust build-up = inadequate vacuum habits.
Pro tips: Use your phone’s flashlight to inspect the dark corners and behind the curtains.
2. I’ll do a smell test
Cleanliness should not smell like a cocktail of synthetic chemicals.
A truly clean room should smell neutral and fresh. It’s not like heavy air cleansing or prolonged mold. Overuse of synthetic scents may hide poor hygiene and underlying problems.
The red flag is as follows:
- Must be stench or damp smell
- “Non-smoking” prolonged smoke in a room
- Overwhelming flower or citrus spray
Don’t forget that your room should be comfortable and fresh. But the smell of the room should not overwhelm you.
3. Check for bed bugs
One of the first things you do when you arrive in your room is to check for bed bugs. Bed bugs can appear in any hotel (luxury or budget). And they are expert hitchhikers.
A 5-10 minute test using a cell phone flashlight can prevent weeks of stress and the costs of dealing with these pests.
Before unpacking:
Place your luggage in the bathroom Or on a hard surface away from the bed.
Consider storing in a sealed plastic bag.
Store your personal items from upholstered furniture.
Next, check:
• Headboard and mattress: Look for dark spots, reddish brown stains, eggs, or live bugs.
• Furniture within 8 feet of bed: Check around the nightstands, upholstered chairs and curtains.
If you find evidence:
• Take photos and document your room number.
• Notify hotel management and request room changes (not adjacent).
• Inspect new rooms before settling down.
Post-travel tips: To be safe, wash your clothes with hot water and dry them over high heat. Before you bring it into the house, thoroughly vacuum and inspect your belongings.
4. Check the linens in the bed and bathroom
You can always ask the front desk to make sure all the linens in your room have been replaced before entering your room. And a hotel with a good reputation should be able to answer with confidence. However, once you enter the room, it is best to inspect everything yourself. There are several hotels I caught not replacing the sheet Or pillowcases.
The hotel must change all linens between guests, including:
- Sheet
- Pillow cover
- Down comforter cover (not just the top sheet!)
- Towels and bath mats
However, keep in mind that most hotels do not wash heavy bed covers between guests.
That cozy blanket was probably shared by dozens of strangers. To keep it safe, remove it and use the sheet below it. Or pack your own lightweight Travel blanket For peace of mind.
You can also request fresh duvet covers or blankets for housekeeping.
5. Clean the hotel glassware before use
Hotel mugs and glasses may not be disinfected between all guests if not in use.
To make it safe, run under water with soap and thoroughly clean before use. You can also bring yourself Travel mug. These are small steps that can prevent major abdominal pain.
6. Look for signs of deep cleaning during your stay
While many hotels advertise cleaning standards, their actions speak more eloquently than signs.
Please refer
For example, at IHG hotels IHG® Clean Promise This ensures or promises to get “clean, well-maintained, messy rooms” that meet strict science-backed hygiene and cleaning standards. However, not all accommodations have these strict standards in place.
Includes positive signs of deep cleaning:
- Staff wearing gloves or using color-coded fabric
- Housekeeping carts with environmentally friendly supplies in stock
- QR codes linking to cleaning protocols
There should be clues around the hotel and in the rooms where you are. If it is not displayed, be sure to ask.
7. Bring your own hygiene kit (LightWeight & TSA-Frendly)
Even in high-end hotels, it is always wise to do a quick wipe of high-touch surfaces. In fact, a 2016 survey found that luxury hotels have more bacteria in their rooms than their 3-star counterparts.
Even if housekeeping is doing a decent job, high-touch surfaces such as remote controls, doorknobs, toilet handles, faucet levers are often overlooked.
Quick wipes with disinfectant antibacterial wipes can dramatically reduce exposure to bacteria.
8. Bonus Tips for Delicate Travelers
If you have immunodeficiency, allergies, travel with children, or prefer to further control the cleanliness of the space, here are some things you can bring.
Packing travel sizes UV Sanitize Wand For surfaces.
a Silk Sleep Sack Or a travel sheet for peace of mind.
Use a Portable Air Purifier If you are sensitive to dust or odors.
And don’t forget that the bathroom floor is a breeding ground for bacteria. lightweight, Quick Drying Shower Sandals It can protect your feet and your heart’s peace.
Final Thoughts: Hotel room cleanliness is safe
It’s not just about having a clean hotel room. It’s about being safe, grounded and respected.
Once your space is really clean, you should sleep better, breathe easier, and enjoy your trip more fully.
The next time you check in, take a minute to assess the condition of the room.
Your health and peace of mind deserves it.
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Source: Better Living – onbetterliving.com
