The cleanest thing in the hotel.

Curtain rods, headboards, and bathroom door handles are among the cleanest things in a hotel. Photo: Ron Lach/Pexels.

Researchers at the University of Houston sampled bacteria from 18-19 different surfaces in hotel rooms across several US states. The results showed that while TV remotes, light switches, toilets, and bathroom sinks were among the most contaminated surfaces, headboards, curtain rods, and bathroom door handles were cleaner, having the lowest levels of bacteria in the room.

HealthDay 's analysis of the same study also noted that the locations with the lowest levels of bacterial contamination were headboards, curtain rods, and bathroom door handles, significantly lower than frequently touched surfaces such as remotes, switches, or phones.

Part of the reason stems from how guests use the room. The headboard is a fixed surface, primarily used for back support, and is rarely touched frequently. The curtain rod is also only touched briefly when pulled. This minimal contact significantly reduces the likelihood of transferring bacteria to these surfaces.

The headboard is relatively the cleanest spot in a hotel room. Photo: Liliana Drew/Pexels.

For bathroom doorknobs, most guests touch them after washing their hands. After using soap, the amount of bacteria on the hands is significantly reduced, so the number of bacteria transferred to the doorknob is lower compared to bedroom doorknobs.

Furthermore, the cleaning process is another factor. Bathrooms are often prioritized for cleaning, with staff using strong cleaning chemicals and separate cloths for each surface. During the cleaning of sinks, mirrors, tiled walls, toilets, etc., bathroom door handles are often wiped along with the sink, even though they are not a primary focus. Headboards and areas around the curtains also tend to accumulate less noticeable dirt, making them easier to clean quickly during the room finishing process.

Meanwhile, Reuters, citing research from the University of Houston, reported that TV remotes and light switches were among the "dirtiest," with high concentrations of bacteria, including fecal bacteria, found on most samples tested. These are surfaces touched by many people every day but are not always thoroughly disinfected during room cleaning.

In reality, the sense of cleanliness that tourists perceive largely comes from visual cues such as whiteness, pleasant smells, and tidiness, which create a reassuring impression. However, according to public health experts, this doesn't accurately reflect the amount of microorganisms present in the room. A room that "looks clean" doesn't necessarily mean it has been properly cleaned.

The concept of "cleanest" here is only relative. The research team noted that bacteria were present on more than 80% of the surfaces sampled in the hotel room, including those classified as less contaminated. This means that headboards, curtain rods, and bathroom door handles are not sterile environments, just contain fewer bacteria than other "hot spots."

For travelers, this information is helpful in a practical way rather than causing anxiety. Instead of obsessing over the entire room, understanding which surfaces are dirtier and which are less so will help prioritize the right areas: washing hands after checking in, avoiding touching your face after using remotes, phones, and light switches.

Source: https://znews.vn/thu-sach-nhat-trong-khach-san-post1610445.html