Your Hotel Room Is Covered in Fecal Bacteria

Ever felt paranoid for being skeeved out by the hotel room remote control or drinking glass? Well, it turns out you’re not so paranoid after all. Scientific American reports that at least 81 percent of hotel room surfaces sampled tested positive for fecal bacteria. And hotel remotes are indeed one of the worst culprits, ranking right up there for contamination with toilets and bathroom sinks. Just a little something to think about before you channel surf while eating room service.

Oh, and the light switch, carpet, and telephone were also covered with fecal bacteria (two words you never want to hear about in your sleeping space). Is there any fecal-free spot left in a hotel room? The study found that the headboard is the cleanest.

Are hotel room guests really that nasty that they’re spreading these bugs everywhere in the room? It turns out that many cleaning items, like mops and sponges, found in housekeeping carts are contaminated with the bacteria, meaning that these germs are being spread from surface to surface, and room to room, across the hotel.

Our suggestion? Wash your hands frequently, carry disposable anti-bacterial wipes to quickly clean surfaces, and try not to think about it so much. Sweet dreams!

(Photo: Shutterstock/Diego Cervo)