When you book a hotel, you expect clean sheets, a tidy room, and maybe even a mint on your pillow. But behind the scenes, many hotels cut corners in ways that would make your stomach turn. From reusing dirty cleaning supplies to masking filth with fragrances, these money-saving tactics aren’t just sneaky—they’re downright unsanitary. Whether you’re staying in a budget motel or a high-end chain, there’s a good chance you’ve unknowingly encountered some of these grimy tricks. Ready to find out what might really be lurking in your hotel room? Here are 14 gross things hotels do to save money—and why you should care.
1. Reusing Unwashed Glasses
Hotel room glasses may look sparkling, but many aren’t properly sanitized. Instead of replacing them or using a dishwasher, housekeeping often just rinses them in the bathroom sink. In some cases, they’ll wipe them down with a used rag—the same one used to clean the toilet or sink. That rag may already be full of bacteria and cleaning chemicals. It’s a huge hygiene risk, especially if the last guest was sick. Even worse, some hotels skip rinsing altogether and just put the glass back in place to save time. If you see a paper lid on top, don’t assume it’s sanitary—it may just be part of the illusion. Want to stay safe? Wash those glasses yourself or stick to bottled water.
2. Not Washing the Bedspreads
Sheets usually get cleaned, but those decorative bedspreads? Not so much. In many hotels, especially mid-range or budget ones, the top blanket or duvet cover is only washed once every few weeks—or less. That means dozens of strangers could have touched, sneezed on, or even sat naked on it before you arrived. Some guests report stains, smells, and visible dirt on bedspreads, and they’re not exaggerating. Hotels often gamble that guests won’t notice. Worse, darker fabrics are chosen specifically to hide spills and stains. If you’re concerned about cleanliness, it’s a good idea to remove the top layer altogether and stick with the sheets underneath.
3. Skipping the Vacuuming
Vacuuming is supposed to be routine, but that’s not always the case. Many housekeepers are given limited time per room—sometimes as little as 15 minutes. To keep up, they may only vacuum the main walking paths and ignore corners, under the bed, or behind furniture. Dust, food crumbs, hair, and skin flakes can pile up in these areas. Some hotels have policies in place to deep-clean only once every few weeks, if that. In older hotels, carpets may have gone years without a thorough cleaning. Allergens, mites, and even mold spores can build up—and you breathe it all night.
4. Refilling Toiletries
Those neatly placed bottles of shampoo and body wash might seem new, but don’t be so sure. In an effort to cut costs, many hotels refill them instead of replacing them. This is especially common in places with mounted, reusable dispensers. The issue? Those bottles can be tampered with. There have been reports of products being watered down—or worse, guests finding bodily fluids or unknown substances inside. Since these bottles often aren’t sterilized between uses, bacteria can grow quickly. Bring your own toiletries or check for seals before use to be safe.
5. Reusing Pillow Inserts
Clean pillowcases don’t guarantee clean pillows. Hotels frequently reuse the same pillow inserts for years without washing or replacing them. These inserts absorb drool, sweat, dead skin, and oil from every guest who’s laid their head on them. Over time, they become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and even dust mites. Luxury hotels may cycle them out more often, but many budget and mid-range properties don’t bother. Some pillows are never cleaned at all unless a guest complains. If you’re sensitive to allergens—or just grossed out—consider bringing your own pillow or asking for a fresh one at check-in.
6. Using Dirty Mop Water
Hotels may appear to have clean floors, but the tools they use can tell a different story. Housekeeping often uses the same mop and bucket of water across multiple rooms without changing it. This means bacteria from one bathroom is easily spread to the next. In many cases, the water is visibly dirty, and the mop hasn’t been sanitized between uses. Some staff are under time pressure and cut corners just to get through their shift. Instead of cleaning the floor, they’re just smearing the same grime across the tile. You might be stepping on remnants from a dozen previous guests. Slippery floors may shine, but that doesn’t mean they’re sanitary.
7. Ignoring the Remote Control
The remote control is touched by nearly every guest—but cleaned by almost none. Studies have shown that hotel remotes are among the dirtiest items in the entire room, often coated in bacteria, viruses, skin flakes, and food residue. Yet hotels rarely disinfect them between guests. Some even skip wiping them down altogether. If you’ve ever eaten a snack in bed while flipping channels, you’ve likely come into direct contact with dozens of other people’s germs. Worse still, guests sometimes handle remotes while sick, during meals, or even after using the bathroom. The next time you turn on the TV, grab a tissue or disinfectant wipe first.
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8. Not Cleaning Ice Buckets
That innocent-looking ice bucket is more disgusting than it seems. Most hotels don’t thoroughly clean or sanitize them between guests. They’re usually given a quick rinse—or nothing at all. And because ice bucket liners aren’t always replaced, whatever the last guest did with it is now your problem. Some guests chill unwashed bottles, toss in their leftover drinks, or even use the bucket when they’re too sick to reach the toilet. Mold can grow in the crevices if moisture is left behind, and bacteria multiplies in the damp plastic. If you’re planning to use hotel ice, request a clean liner—or skip the bucket altogether.
9. Flipping the Mattress Less Than Advertised
Most hotels claim to rotate and sanitize mattresses regularly—but in reality, many never do. Mattresses can absorb years’ worth of sweat, oil, skin cells, and even bodily fluids. Without routine flipping and airing out, they become breeding grounds for bacteria, mildew, and dust mites. Even high-end hotels may only flip them when a new mattress is delivered. Some are left untouched for over a decade. If you’ve ever sunk into a lumpy, sagging mattress and wondered why it smells musty, this is why. The longer they’re ignored, the worse they get—not just in comfort, but in hygiene.
10. Relying on Air Fresheners Over Cleaning
Smell can be deceiving. Many hotels rely on scented sprays and air fresheners to give the illusion of cleanliness. These fragrances often mask bad odors caused by unwashed fabrics, mold in the HVAC system, or previous guest messes. Instead of actually cleaning, staff sometimes walk into a room, spray the air, and leave. This tactic saves time and gives the guest a false sense of freshness. If your room smells heavily of artificial citrus, floral, or “fresh linen” scents, take it as a red flag. Real cleanliness doesn’t need perfume. It should smell like nothing at all.
11. Leaving Out-Of-Date Snacks in Minibars
Minibars are supposed to be a premium feature, but many are stocked with stale or expired items. Some hotels don’t check expiration dates regularly, especially if no one’s bought anything recently. You might pay $8 for a candy bar that’s been in there for a year or more. Chips go stale, sodas lose their fizz, and perishable items can rot—especially in warm climates or rooms without good air circulation. If you find white spots, faded packaging, or dust, that snack’s been sitting there far too long. Always check dates before indulging, or better yet, skip the minibar entirely and grab snacks elsewhere.
12. Using the Same Sponge for the Whole Room
One of the grossest behind-the-scenes habits involves the cleaning tools themselves. Some housekeeping staff use a single sponge or rag to wipe down every surface in the room. That means the same cloth used to clean the toilet might also be used on your sink, countertops, light switches, and even glassware. This shortcut saves money on supplies and time on the clock, but it spreads bacteria instead of removing it. Cross-contamination becomes unavoidable, especially if the cloth is never properly disinfected between rooms. You may never see it happen—but the consequences land directly on your hands, face, and drinking cups.
13. Skipping Deep Cleanings Between Guests
While sheets are usually changed, many other surfaces get skipped altogether between checkouts. High-touch areas like door handles, phone receivers, thermostats, curtain rods, and lamps are rarely sanitized unless a guest complains. Deep cleanings are supposed to happen regularly, but to cut costs, hotels often stretch those intervals. Instead of weekly or monthly deep cleans, some properties wait until stains are visible or rooms are flagged for maintenance. That means dust, grease, and bacteria are accumulating over time in places you touch without thinking. Don’t assume a tidy room is a clean room—it might just be surface-level at best.
14. Hiding Stains with Clever Lighting
Hotels are masters of illusion, especially when it comes to room lighting. Dim bulbs, warm-colored lampshades, and directional lighting can all be used to disguise stains on furniture, bedding, and carpets. It’s not just about ambiance—it’s about distraction. Dirty carpets look clean in low light, and stained curtains can seem elegant under a soft glow. Some properties deliberately avoid bright overhead lighting so that guests don’t spot grime or damage. If you shine your phone flashlight around the room, you might be shocked at what’s actually there. What looks cozy and romantic could just be stained and filthy.
Final Thought
Staying in a hotel shouldn’t feel like a gamble, but with these behind-the-scenes shortcuts, it often is. While not every hotel cuts corners this way, it only takes one bad experience to ruin your trust—and maybe your trip. The best defense? Be observant, bring a few essentials like disinfectant wipes, and don’t be afraid to ask for replacements or a different room if something feels off. After all, you’re paying for comfort and cleanliness—not for someone else’s leftover germs.
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