A professional cleaner is advising travellers to bring disinfectant wipes to hotel rooms after describing shortcuts she says are common in fast-paced housekeeping routines.
Samantha Campbell, owner of Australian cleaning company Shyn HQ, told Yahoo Lifestyle that housekeepers often have as little as 20 to 30 minutes to prepare a room between guests, and that a single cloth is frequently used to wipe multiple surfaces. "It's one cloth that is used to wipe the whole hotel," Campbell said, adding that when time is limited "things [are] just done with water" rather than with disinfectant.
Campbell said the practice can spread germs from toilets to benchtops, door handles, remote controls, light switches and microwaves because the same cloth moves from surface to surface. She also described how hotel drinking glasses are often given only a quick rinse with a cloth rather than washed with detergent, and said showers and grout sometimes receive only minimal attention. Soft furnishings such as fabric bedheads and decorative cushions are rarely laundered between guests, she added.
To reduce the risk of encountering these issues, Campbell recommended travellers pack a small cleaning kit. She suggested disinfectant wipes available from Australian supermarkets — citing Pine O Cleen at about $6 and Ajax wipes around $7.70 — and a surface spray such as Glen 20, which she said retails for about $9.50. She also advised bringing a personal drinking bottle or cup if hotel glassware is a concern, hand sanitiser for day-to-day use, and a pillowcase — noting that silk pillowcases can be both hygienic and beneficial for skin.
Campbell framed the advice as practical rather than alarmist, saying she "never" goes to a hotel without wipes. Her comments were published in a Daily Mail story summarising the Yahoo Lifestyle interview.
Hotel housekeeping practices vary by property, brand and region. Industry groups and hotel chains say they follow cleaning protocols designed to meet local health regulations and corporate standards, and many have introduced enhanced cleaning measures since the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, independent cleaners and some hospitality workers have previously described tight turnaround schedules on busy days, which can constrain the time available for deep cleaning.
Public-health experts note that common touchpoints such as light switches, door handles and remote controls can carry bacteria and viruses, and that disinfection is most effective when appropriate products are used correctly and allowed to sit for the recommended contact time. Washing with soap and water, when feasible, remains an effective method for cleaning drinking glasses and other utensils.
For travellers who want to limit their exposure to potential surface contamination, the measures Campbell recommends are straightforward: use disinfectant wipes on high-touch surfaces when checking in, consider spraying surfaces with a disinfectant and allow the product to sit for its recommended time, and use personal items such as a water bottle or cup if hotel glassware seems uncertain. Bringing a pillowcase or other small personal linens is a low-cost option for those concerned about soft furnishings.
Campbell's guidance underscores a broader consumer impulse to exert personal control over hygiene while travelling. The hospitality industry continues to balance operational efficiency with cleanliness standards, and travellers who prefer extra precautions can do so with compact, inexpensive supplies that fit in luggage.