A traveler recommends that you never touch the decorative pillows or blankets on your bed when staying at a hotel. That’s because they’re allegedly never washed.
In a TikToker with over 5.6 million views, Kirsten Sophia (@kirstensophia) exposed a secret no one likes to think about. You probably should take the decorative bedding and pillows from your hotel bed next time you stay in one. This is because they’re allegedly not cleaned regularly.
Do hotels not clean their decorative throws?
Multiple housekeepers confirmed in the comments that most hotels don’t clean their decorative bedding with much regularity. Instead, they opt to leave the items there and do a quick switch out of the sheets only. There’s apparently no industry standard for cleaning items like comforters, for instance. Likewise, there appears to be no industry standard for decorative throws and sheets.
One blog states that economy hotels may wash their pillows once or twice a year, maximum. In contrast, mid-range hotels may clean their pillows once every 3-6 months, and higher-end hotels have monthly or biweekly cleaning schedules.
Hotels will typically replace their pillows once every 1-2 years, meaning there’s a significant chance you’re sleeping on an older pillow whenever you stay at a hotel. Hotels will replace their pillows if there’s visible staining, odors, or other issues, but most leave them alone otherwise. That means that decorative pillows are usually there for extended periods, as they aren’t washed as often as pillow sheets.
One commenter on Sophia’s original video commented, saying, “As someone who worked as a hotel cleaner, I can confirm that they don’t wash them.”
One Mile At A Time, an online publication that travels, also assumes that most hotels don’t treat their decorative pillows or bedding with the same care as other items. “I assume those aren’t actually washed with much frequency either, right? Certainly not between all stays? But are they washed with any consistency at all, or just nope, they stay there until they’re gross and can’t be used anymore?”
The blog reiterated, “I’m kind of grossed out by some of the aspects of hotel bed cleanliness.”
What else do hotels not clean?
According to commenters on Sophia’s original TikTok, hotels also don’t clean other items in the room. For one, housekeepers don’t recommend drinking out of hotel glasses. One user added, “I [worked] in housekeeping, my advice is never drink from the glass[es]”
Another commenter reiterated, “As a past housekeeper I can confirm that those [pillows and decorative blankets] are never washed. Neither are the comforters on top. Only the fitting sheet, top sheet, and pillow cases are changed. Never use the coffee makers/kettles or glasses either.”
One wrote, “Take off [the pillows and extra items] Immediately.. [You should] never drink out of the glass or cup, and if there is a kettle in the room, leave it alone.”
@kirstensophia I love hotels… but these pillows gotta go ? #POV #travelhumor #relatable #relatablecontent #hotelroom ♬ Eewh – Internet Cultura
The Mary Sue has reached out to Sophia via email for more information regarding her claims.
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