If you follow me on Instagram, have read my packing cubes blog post or have ever joined me on a trip, the one travel trick that I always abide by is to bring my own sheets. Yep, you read that right. I bring my own sheets and I suggest you start doing the same. I get all kinds of funny comments when people see that I have packed sheets and start making the bed with them. I even pull out my own wash rash for makeup removal, bath scrubby, house shoes and sometimes even a towel. I'll save you the gross details of the bad hygiene statistics in hotels and Airbnbs ... that might even scare me from traveling! I'll leave those dirty details up to your imagination.
According to the World Tourism Organization, in 2022 over 960 million people travelled internationally. Year over year, that number continues to rise. It is safe to say that millions of people are sleeping in the very same bed you rest your head on after a long day of exploring. I don’t think any of us want to know what goes on, or off, in those beds when we aren’t in them. I just can’t risk it, so you’ll find me packing my own sheets every single time.
Also, keep your bedding fresh and leave a note when you head out so they don’t make up your bed. That would just defeat the whole point. I simply write, “please don’t make bed, thank you 😊”.
Ensure you don’t sit on a hotel bed in your outside clothes. As a reminder, you've likely been outside all day, riding public transportation, sitting in restaurant chairs, on outside benches and all the other places strangers have placed their behinds. You don’t want that on your sheets.
Even if you choose to continue using hotel sheets, still don’t sit on your bed before changing. I always bring a robe to transition, whether we are in the room to change for dinner, a show, or a shower/pjs, I use that to sit until I am ready for bed or leaving for the next stop on my itinerary.
Saving the dirtiest for last, the floor. I would almost say nastier things are on the floors, especially in the bathroom so the thought of my bare feet walking over the top of whatever has soaked in, just completely freaks me out. Additionally, I have no idea what the cleaning crew uses to clean the rooms. Even though I prefer to stay in nice hotels, I just can’t risk walking on who knows what. Having said that, you'll find me with house shoes on non-stop while in the hotel room or Airbnb.
If I haven't convinced you by now to be more aware of hotel hygiene, you see why I bring rags and even sometimes towels 😊
To see exactly how I pack my bags for travel (sheets, towels, robe and more), check out my recent post on packing cubes! I promise you can always find quirky content at Hey Lo Let's Go!
Until next time, Let’s GO.
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