Travel is amazing—it’s thrilling, eye-opening, and sometimes even life-changing. But let’s be real… it can also be pretty nasty, especially when you step into a hotel room. Studies have exposed the dirtiest spots that’ll have you reaching for disinfecting wipes ASAP. But what’s the absolute grossest thing you can do in your hotel room? Let’s dive into the ick factor!
Epidemiologists issued a warning about using a common hotel item, which is actually not as clean as you may think.
Traveling has the power to transform your life in the most unexpected ways—but sometimes, the biggest surprises aren’t from the sights you see or the food you try. They’re hiding right in your hotel room.
Picture this: after a long day of exploring, you’re finally back in your room, ready to unwind. You flip on the TV, grab a drink, and head to the ice machine to fill up that trusty ice bucket. But wait—before you drop those cubes into your glass, have you ever stopped to think about how clean that ice bucket really is?
Turns out, that innocent-looking bucket might be one of the grossest things in your room. Epidemiologists are sounding the alarm, and their warnings might make you rethink your ice routine forever. Ready to find out why—and what you should do instead? Let’s dive in.
The unpleasant truth about using ice-buckets has been revealed.
Here’s the chilling truth: that seemingly harmless ice bucket in your hotel room might have a dirty little secret. According to Brian Labus, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the grossest mistake you can make is using the ice bucket without a liner.
He dropped this bombshell: “We had a hotel norovirus outbreak a few years ago where one of the ways it spread was through ice buckets. People dealing with diarrhea and vomiting would grab the nearest thing—yep, the ice bucket.”
And if you think that’s bad, just wait. Social media is flooded with jaw-dropping (and stomach-turning) hotel ice bucket horror stories. From TikTok tales of people using them as dog water bowls and foot baths to, brace yourself, makeshift diaper pails—it’s enough to make you swear off ice forever. Ready to rethink that next drink?
A seemingly innocent item turned out to be nearly as dangerous as a dirty toilet seat.
As the professor explained, hotel bathrooms get a full-blown, top-to-bottom scrub before the next guests arrive. But the ice buckets? They’re lucky if they get a quick rinse. “The next guest ended up with an unwanted surprise in their drink,” he said. “After that outbreak, I never use an ice bucket without a liner—ever.”
And here’s the kicker: there’s no guaranteed way to dodge germs in a hotel room unless you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and deep-clean the place yourself. Think about that the next time you’re tempted to toss a few cubes into your glass. Yikes!
There are some precautions you can take in order to avoid getting sick.
“There are plenty of small steps you can take to feel more at ease in a hotel room,” Labus shared. “But here’s the catch: most of them won’t actually protect you from germs. Sure, skipping the comforter might make you feel better, but it doesn’t really lower your risk of getting sick.”
He added, “The real danger lies in the invisible stuff—the things you can’t see. And let’s be honest, there’s only so much the average guest can do about that. That’s why hotel room inspections should be taken just as seriously as restaurant inspections.”
Now, if you’re still set on using that ice bucket, here’s how to minimize the ick factor: First, pack disinfectant wipes—bright ones, so you don’t miss a spot! Use them to scrub down the ice bucket, remote control, door handles, and any other high-touch surfaces. Feeling extra cautious? Toss a UV blacklight in your bag to uncover hidden stains (and give the bedding a once-over). And if you’ve got room to spare, why not bring your own portable ice bucket? It’s the ultimate way to chill without the chills.
And here’s a scary reason why pilots insist on dimming the cabin lights while takeoff and landing. And no, it’s absolutely not to help you sleep.
credits by: Brightside.me
