Expert Advice

A hotel housekeeper has shared the one thing she always does when staying in a hotel room and it’s left many people spooked by the idea. So have you done this before?

You check in, drop your bags, and collapse onto what appears to be an immaculate, freshly-made bed. But beneath the perfectly plumped pillows and crisp white sheets, it might not actually be as clean as it looks.

Regardless of how much guests splash out on their hotel room, most will have one non-negotiable expectation – the room has been spotlessly cleaned since the previous guest checked out. From fresh bed sheets to a sparkling bathroom, a housekeeper’s workload can be gruelling. But guests have been left stunned to discover that some everyday hotel room items are virtually never washed – including a common item on the beds.

Taking to TikTok, a housekeeping manager named Margarita left her followers shocked after posting a video demonstrating the very first thing she does upon arriving at a hotel room during her own personal stays.

“POV: You’re a Housekeeping Manager staying at a hotel,” read the on-screen text, as two women were filmed standing inside a hotel room.

Armed with tissues in each hand, the pair proceeded to remove the bed runner from the foot of the bed, placing it on the luggage rack well away from where they’d be sleeping. One of the women couldn’t disguise her look of revulsion as they carried out the task.

People disgusted to learn some items are ‘never cleaned’

Numerous hotel housekeepers have previously revealed that bed runners are rarely laundered, unlike the rest of the bed linen, which is washed thoroughly after every guest checks out.

Experts have previously voiced their concerns about bed runners, explaining that their purpose is to catch dirt, shoe scuffs, and germs from luggage, bags, and outdoor clothing placed at the foot of the bed.

Because it serves as a dedicated barrier against outside grime, it can accumulate dust and microscopic dirt left behind by previous guests staying in the room.

Margarita was far from alone in her views, as the comments section quickly filled up with others sharing that they always do exactly the same thing, with one person questioning: “I mean, why aren’t they washed after every guest?”

Another argued: “If it’s a hassle to clean or replace they just shouldn’t have them in the rooms. I don’t need decorative pillows or bed runners.”

A third person added: “Should be a law that all decorative décor like pillows or bed runners need to be washed after each guest or just not provided.”

Holidaymakers heading abroad are being urged to check an important easyJet rule before boarding the plane

For many travellers, there are a few items that automatically make it into a suitcase before a holiday begins. But one increasingly common gadget comes with restrictions that could catch passengers out if they arrive at the airport with too many.

The warning is particularly relevant to anyone who likes to carry several charging accessories when travelling. EasyJet has issued a reminder to customers that there is a maximum number they can take with them, alongside rules about where the items must be packed and how they can be used during a flight.

Power banks are the accessory in question, with easyJet allowing a maximum of two per passenger. The airline says they must be carried in cabin baggage only and should ideally be kept somewhere they can be easily monitored.

There is another important restriction once passengers are on board, as easyJet says power banks cannot be charged or used to charge other devices during the flight. Its guidance also says power banks must be individually protected, such as by keeping them in their original packaging or a plastic bag.

The rules are part of wider aviation safety measures around lithium batteries, which can pose a fire risk if they are damaged or develop a fault. The UK Civil Aviation Authority says power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage, individually protected when not in use and must not be recharged during a flight.

It also says power banks should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices while on board. Guidance confirms that a maximum of two power banks can be carried per person, although batteries with higher capacities can be subject to additional airline approval requirements.

For easyJet passengers, that means checking the number of chargers in your cabin bag before heading to the airport. Anyone carrying three power banks would be over the airline’s stated limit, even if each individual device would otherwise meet the relevant requirements.

Passengers should also avoid putting them into checked luggage, as easyJet specifically prohibits power banks from being carried in the hold. The airline recommends keeping them somewhere they can be monitored, which means they should remain accessible during the journey rather than being buried inside a suitcase.

The CAA’s advice is similarly clear that spare lithium batteries and power banks belong in the cabin rather than checked baggage.

The reason for keeping them close to passengers is that a battery problem can be identified and dealt with more quickly in the cabin.