Danger! Hotel hairdryers are dirtier than toilets – you need to know that!

Danger! Hotel hairdryers are dirtier than toilets – you need to know that!

Many travelers think that they can rely on a hairdryer in their hotel room while on vacation, as it is usually included as standard equipment. However, a recent study shows that hotel hairdryers are actually among the most unhygienic items in a hotel room. This is reported by [Bunte] (https://www.bunte.de/family/reisen/urlaub-warum-du-den-foehn-im-hotel-besser-nicht-nutzen-solltest_72514923-6372-47dd-bc19-b8fa74532ce2.html), based on a study by microbiologist Chuck Gerba.

In his research, Gerba found that hotel hairdryers are even dirtier than toilets. The reason for this lies in the way many blow dryers are placed in the bathroom. They often end up on surfaces such as the toilet lid or bathroom floor, where bacteria and germs can easily be transferred. The bacteria buildup on these devices poses a potential health risk.

The risks of using hotel hair dryers

Gerba explains that even cleaning the hairdryer with disinfectant wipes is not effective. This method cannot completely remove the germs and could only spread them around the room. Despite these alarming findings, Joe McInerney, an expert with the American Hotels Association, emphasizes that since nearly four million people stay in hotels every day, the risk of contracting a skin disease from using a hotel hair dryer is relatively low.

However, several studies have recommended not using the hotel hairdryer. Travelers should consider bringing their own hair dryer or using smaller hot air tools that are more compact and can also fit in carry-on luggage. Many vacationers tend not to pack their own hairdryer because they assume the hotel versions are sufficient. But this assumption could have health consequences.

Tips for a more hygienic trip

For those who still want to use the hotel hair dryer, it is important to take a few precautions. This includes disinfecting the hairdryer before use, even if this measure does not completely ensure that there are no longer any germs. Alternatively, it may make sense to insist on bringing your own hairdryer to avoid bacteria and germs that have accumulated in the hotel room.

To sum up, travelers should be aware of the hygiene risks of hotel hairdryers. The studies clearly show that there are better alternatives to ensure a hygienic and worry-free trip, while using hotel hair dryers could potentially cause more problems than solutions. In this case, your own hairdryer could prove to be a useful travel companion.

For further information and details on the topic, see the articles from [Bunte] (https://www.bunte.de/family/reisen/urlaub-warum-du-den-foehn-im-hotel-besser-nicht-nutzen-solltest_72514923-6372-47dd-bc19-b8fa74532ce2.html) and [wmn] (https://www.wmn.de/travel/foehn-im-hotel-zimmer-darum-nicht-benutzen-id439247) should be consulted.