Picture this: you’ve just checked into your hotel after hours of travel. You’re exhausted and ready to relax, so you toss your suitcase onto the bed or floor without a second thought. Big mistake. That simple action could lead to a nightmare scenario – bringing home bedbugs or other pests in your luggage. But there’s an easy solution hiding right in your bathroom: the bathtub.
Hotel bathtubs make surprisingly good temporary homes for your luggage, and here’s why. Unlike carpets, bedding, or furniture, bathtubs present an inhospitable environment for bedbugs. The porcelain surface is too smooth for them to climb easily, and the material doesn’t provide the dark crevices they prefer for hiding. Additionally, bathtubs receive rigorous cleaning between guests, making them one of the most sanitary spots in any hotel room.
This practice isn’t just about preventing bug infestations. Keeping your bags in the tub also protects them from general dirt and germs that accumulate on hotel floors. Think about how many people have walked on that carpet with their street shoes. Now imagine placing your clean clothes or personal items on that same surface. The bathtub creates a clean barrier between your belongings and potential contaminants.
Implementing this strategy couldn’t be simpler. Make it part of your arrival routine: enter room, place all luggage in tub, then inspect the space. Look for telltale signs of bedbugs – small dark spots on mattress seams, tiny eggs in furniture joints, or the bugs themselves in crevices. Only after completing your inspection should you relocate your bags to a more convenient spot.
While it might feel odd at first to use your bathtub as a luggage rack, the benefits far outweigh any initial awkwardness. This small habit can prevent major headaches down the road, from expensive pest extermination to the emotional distress of dealing with an infestation. Next time you travel, give your suitcase a safe landing spot – the humble hotel bathtub.
