Interesting article about how often hotels wash duvet covers
May 24th, 2005, 07:38 PM
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Interesting article about how often hotels wash duvet covers
Can't remember whether it was Conde Nast Traveler or Travel & Leisure but anyway - the article looked at 7 or 8 chains - like Westin, Crowne Plaza, Hyatt, Marriott, etc - and of those only Marriott guaranteed that it washed duvet covers after a guest checked out and before the next guest checked in. The others were all washed "as necessary" - your guess is as good as mine what that means.
May 26th, 2005, 06:13 AM
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Orangetravelcat, that's why those covers come off my bed as soon as I get in the room. I fold them up, put them in a corner, and if in any doubt, ask for a clean blanket. The worst thing I've found was in a Clarion Inn near Savannah a couple of years ago... a tall dog had obviously lifted it's leg, and there was a huge stain on the side-drop of the bedspread. My friend found a nest of cockroaches in the lining of her bedspread in Sanibel!!! 
May 26th, 2005, 07:56 AM
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Also from the "things we'd rather not think about" file: Dust Mites. Saw a report on TV which stated the following:
"Beds are a prime habitat (where 1/3 of life occurs). A typical used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. (Ten percent of the weight of a two year old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings.)"
Yecchhh. And, unfortunately, the article doesn't even refer to hotels but rather our homes! Imagine what it must be like in a hotel mattress.
Okay, now I'm skipping lunch.
AL
"Beds are a prime habitat (where 1/3 of life occurs). A typical used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. (Ten percent of the weight of a two year old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings.)"
Yecchhh. And, unfortunately, the article doesn't even refer to hotels but rather our homes! Imagine what it must be like in a hotel mattress.
Okay, now I'm skipping lunch.
AL
May 26th, 2005, 08:51 AM
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Bring your own linens? Heck this sort of ick is one of the reasons I bought an RV!
After finding unpleasant surprises in a few 3 and 4-star hotels, I can never really relax in a hotel room again. I'm not talking about some sort of germ phobia or the inevitable dust mites, which I must have at home anyway, I'm talking about visible things the cleaning staff should have found.
After finding unpleasant surprises in a few 3 and 4-star hotels, I can never really relax in a hotel room again. I'm not talking about some sort of germ phobia or the inevitable dust mites, which I must have at home anyway, I'm talking about visible things the cleaning staff should have found.
May 26th, 2005, 11:58 AM
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OO, with all due respect (and I do mean that because you are one of my very favorite people on this Board! 
), as long as people find dog urirne on their bedding and cockroach nests embedded in it, this issue will never be a dead horse. I know it doesn't HAVE to be because I never have these problems at some hotels, yet others are a mess.
MikeT, for the money I pay for hotels, I expect it to be very clean, if not immaculate. I don't think that's too much to ask....... I don't expect it to be just like home, but I don't expect anything nasty either!
), as long as people find dog urirne on their bedding and cockroach nests embedded in it, this issue will never be a dead horse. I know it doesn't HAVE to be because I never have these problems at some hotels, yet others are a mess. MikeT, for the money I pay for hotels, I expect it to be very clean, if not immaculate. I don't think that's too much to ask....... I don't expect it to be just like home, but I don't expect anything nasty either!
May 26th, 2005, 03:09 PM
#10
Hi Bonnie...it's not that at all. I agree that what you found and what your friend allegedly found, IS an issue, and a gross one which should never happen, but that and washing a duvet or spread after every single stay are two different matters. That and the black light report has been beaten to death on these boards. The spreads should be immaculate, "no nuttin" on them, but I seriously doubt any chain washes every bedspread after every guest checks out. It's just not going to happen. Ours happen to be white and they almost always have to be but still, if you get a good guest who doesn't put anything on it and it stays as white as when it was put on the bed, it won't be. If people worry, then by all means, take them off and put them elsewhere. No problem, but those who need to take them off...what then do you do with the headrests and/or pillows or blankets in the planes? You don't need to use a pillow or blanket...but do you keep your head bolt upright? Or the handrails on the metro, or or or... (Never mind...I'm really not asking 
)
I know someone who undresses in the bathroom covered by a towel after some expose on cameras in walls too. I would seriously question my need to travel if I took all this to heart!
I survived 12 years of living in a hotel in as good health as anyone I know. Now that we've moved out though, look at me...covered in chigger bites and heavens knows what else! LOL
)I know someone who undresses in the bathroom covered by a towel after some expose on cameras in walls too. I would seriously question my need to travel if I took all this to heart!
I survived 12 years of living in a hotel in as good health as anyone I know. Now that we've moved out though, look at me...covered in chigger bites and heavens knows what else! LOL
May 26th, 2005, 03:58 PM
#12
We're not talking pillows...but we can...they haven't been discussed yet. Why don't we--could be as much or more of an issue than spreads if you think about it. It doesn't take a course in microbiology to know those little germs are not going to stay on the exterior of a pillowcase. They pass through the finest of openings, and there they sit...just waiting for you to lay your little head down...and then they jump you. Come one come all! Pillows are not washed with every guest either. One could easily make themselves totally paranoid if you give it enough thought and you'd never travel another day in your life.
12 years of hotel housekeeping did not do me in and the average guest, I dare say, has about the same health habits as you or I. The maids came from your room, after stripping your beds and did mine. I'll bet they didn't wash their hands either. (oops...another phobia) This daily washing of spreads issue IS a dead horse, beaten, kicked, regurgitated and beaten and kicked all over again, right here on fodors.com. If it were such an issue, don't you think people would be getting sick right and left, especially the road warrior business traveler, and wouldn't the health department, not just the yellow journalists, be all over it?
12 years of hotel housekeeping did not do me in and the average guest, I dare say, has about the same health habits as you or I. The maids came from your room, after stripping your beds and did mine. I'll bet they didn't wash their hands either. (oops...another phobia) This daily washing of spreads issue IS a dead horse, beaten, kicked, regurgitated and beaten and kicked all over again, right here on fodors.com. If it were such an issue, don't you think people would be getting sick right and left, especially the road warrior business traveler, and wouldn't the health department, not just the yellow journalists, be all over it?
May 26th, 2005, 04:14 PM
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Worse than bugs, it was the segment on Dateline or 20/20 a few years ago which showed an ultraviolet light being used to illuminate body fluids on the top cover of the bed.
I always peel this back immediately to avoid contact. Sheets get changed daily in hotels, but this bedspread does not.
I have to agree with the above posters who call the OP an alarmist.
I always peel this back immediately to avoid contact. Sheets get changed daily in hotels, but this bedspread does not.
I have to agree with the above posters who call the OP an alarmist.
May 26th, 2005, 04:35 PM
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People do get sick after traveling. They pick up respiratory infections from germs on those pillows that strangers have drooled and coughed on, and then they put the blame on dry, recirculated airplane air.
One germy feature that I think hasn't been covered yet, but I was reminded of it by the mention above of maids not washing their hands: I would really prefer it if they would NOT fold the tip of my toilet tissue into that cute little point.
The health department isn't "all over it" because they have their hands full of other more evident issues. Kitchen inspection, anyone? ;-)
One germy feature that I think hasn't been covered yet, but I was reminded of it by the mention above of maids not washing their hands: I would really prefer it if they would NOT fold the tip of my toilet tissue into that cute little point.
The health department isn't "all over it" because they have their hands full of other more evident issues. Kitchen inspection, anyone? ;-)
May 26th, 2005, 05:00 PM
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Gross yes....life threatening....no. Yes it is quite gross knowing the bedspread may have seen dozens of random nakes asses. Just remove the comforter or fold it to the bottom of the bed. Dust mites are everywhere...even in your own home. If you think about what goes on in your room, (espically in Vegas
the only traveling you would do is watching Samantha Brown. There are germs everywhere...jsut think of the germs you encounter before you reach your hotel room...the airport, the plane, rest rooms...
When you stay in the more expensive hotels, they change the bed sheets every day. I have also recently seen a note that the sheets will be changed every 3rd day-due to water conservation. The comforter is anyone's guess. The Bug thing is just beyond...I would flip out. i can definately see thst happening in Sanibel. We stayed at the South Seas Plantation and I found it to be on the dirty side....way on the dirty side.
Just have an extra drink or two per day...that will kill any germs you amy encounter from your hotel room.
Just another interesting note...a recent study states that people that have more germs in their house are actually healthier because their immune systems are stronger. So all these new antibacterial soaps and cleaners are not as helpful as you think.
the only traveling you would do is watching Samantha Brown. There are germs everywhere...jsut think of the germs you encounter before you reach your hotel room...the airport, the plane, rest rooms...When you stay in the more expensive hotels, they change the bed sheets every day. I have also recently seen a note that the sheets will be changed every 3rd day-due to water conservation. The comforter is anyone's guess. The Bug thing is just beyond...I would flip out. i can definately see thst happening in Sanibel. We stayed at the South Seas Plantation and I found it to be on the dirty side....way on the dirty side.
Just have an extra drink or two per day...that will kill any germs you amy encounter from your hotel room.
Just another interesting note...a recent study states that people that have more germs in their house are actually healthier because their immune systems are stronger. So all these new antibacterial soaps and cleaners are not as helpful as you think.
May 26th, 2005, 05:50 PM
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Jeez - excuse me for reading an article and finding it interesting and then having the audacity to comment on it. Maybe I'm just feeling overly sensitive today but I'm out of here.
May 26th, 2005, 05:59 PM
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Annabel, just have any extra drink or two a day is IMHO a great idea!!!!
And I agree with you. In fact our Dr. of 30 years had a conversation with us once about the dangers of people using all the antibacterial soaps etc. BTW, he travelled all over the world. He went into a great discussion (this was just a friend to friend discussion, not a medical appointment) how people are not building up their imune systems because of antibacterial soaps etc.
I too wonder when people worry about a pillow or a bedspread or duvet cover etc., what they do on public transportation. One does tend to put their head on the backrest. How often are they cleaned? Probably never. And armrest? Taxi seats etc.
IMHO there is probably more danger from restaurant food then there is in a hotel room. But yes I do love to eat out. Nothing is 100% safe. Nothing. But if one takes care of themselves, washes their hands when they should be washed etc. I think basically one is alright.
A thought. The public restroom. Not everyone washes their hands after using the facilities. But I do. Then after washing my hands if I have to touch the door to open it - ick! But so far I am alive. Safe travels everyone.
And I agree with you. In fact our Dr. of 30 years had a conversation with us once about the dangers of people using all the antibacterial soaps etc. BTW, he travelled all over the world. He went into a great discussion (this was just a friend to friend discussion, not a medical appointment) how people are not building up their imune systems because of antibacterial soaps etc.
I too wonder when people worry about a pillow or a bedspread or duvet cover etc., what they do on public transportation. One does tend to put their head on the backrest. How often are they cleaned? Probably never. And armrest? Taxi seats etc.
IMHO there is probably more danger from restaurant food then there is in a hotel room. But yes I do love to eat out. Nothing is 100% safe. Nothing. But if one takes care of themselves, washes their hands when they should be washed etc. I think basically one is alright.
A thought. The public restroom. Not everyone washes their hands after using the facilities. But I do. Then after washing my hands if I have to touch the door to open it - ick! But so far I am alive. Safe travels everyone.
May 26th, 2005, 08:39 PM
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Some people go camping, sleeping on the same spot where a coyote took a crap the night before. In the middle of the night a bear walks by and takes a leak on your leg. You get up in the morning, jump in the lake and start a new day.
Other people check into a hotel and worry that the previous guest left something nasty on the bedspread. Just get up in the morning, shower it off, and get on with your vacation!
OR
JUST
STAY
HOME!
Other people check into a hotel and worry that the previous guest left something nasty on the bedspread. Just get up in the morning, shower it off, and get on with your vacation!
OR
JUST
STAY
HOME!
