Gina Heslop
Hotels, often considered a home away from home, may not always meet hygiene expectations. A TikTok user known as the ‘Traveling Hotel Manager’ issued a stern warning to viewers about using complimentary shower gel and shampoo bottles provided by hotels. Her alarming revelation stemmed from the ease with which previous guests could tamper with these bottles.
In her video, she introduced herself and entered a hotel bathroom, displaying three large containers of shampoo, body wash, and conditioner. She cautioned against using them due to potential security risks. Demonstrating her point, she showed that the pump lids of these bottles can be easily unscrewed, allowing previous guests to fill them with substances like bleach or hair dye.
Her advice was straightforward: avoid using these complimentary bottles altogether. Instead, she recommended travelers either bring their own products or request a new set from the hotel’s reception. Her TikTok gained significant attention, with viewers expressing gratitude for the heads-up. Some shared personal experiences of skin reactions due to using such products.
However, some viewers argued that many hotels utilize secure, disposable dispensers that are replaced after each guest. This debate underscores the importance of travelers exercising caution and being aware of their options.
This revelation isn’t the only instance of questionable hotel practices. In 2017, Inside Edition conducted an investigation revealing lapses in bathroom cleaning. They marked the toilet rim and shower floor with easily removable indicators visible only under UV light. Astonishingly, when they returned to the same room the following day, the marks remained untouched.
Such stories, while alarming, are not uncommon in the realm of viral online narratives. The TikTok user’s cautionary tale serves as a reminder for travelers to be vigilant about their surroundings and when in doubt, take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and hygiene while staying at hotels.
