Welcome and thank you for checking out our blog! This post is our seventh in a series of posts that will explore the dirtiest places found in different environments. Environments such as your office, your home, the airport, etc. Click here to follow us on Facebook or click here to connect with us on LinkedIn to be alerted when those posts become available.
Every day, thousands of people stay in hotel rooms, either for business or pleasure. The expectation is that hotels hire and train an excellent cleaning staff that helps keep their hotel in pristine condition (putting your best foot forward is good for business, right?). While this is the case for most hotels, there are some places that can be missed during routine daily cleanings.
Germs:
While most surfaces in a hotel room are dusted and disinfected, there are other surfaces touched daily that are not being cleaned as often as they should. Most of the germs on these surfaces are due to improper hand washing techniques but can also occur from coughing, sneezing or food/drink:
- TV Remote
- Light Switches
- Toilet Handle
- Bedspreads
- Cups (if not probably sanitized)
- Coffee Pot handle
- Desk or table tops
What can you do to help?
First and foremost, the biggest thing you can do is wash your hands! Make sure you are washing your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water. Especially make sure you are washing hands after coughing, sneezing or handling raw food.
Bed sheets in hotels are changed and cleaned regularly but bedspreads are usually not. Best advice is to fold down on the bed or put over a chair and avoid using it during your stay.
Most of the dirtiest places are easy to clean! Take disinfectant wipes with you and wipe down these surfaces as you use them. Use a new wipe for each new surface to help prevent the transfer of germs.
If you are a hotel owner, make sure the company providing you with cleaning services is taking steps to help you create a healthy office environment. Check the scope of work. Ask for an increase in disinfecting during cold and flu seasons and make sure they are using proper disinfectants and procedures.
Octagon Building Care is a leader in commercial cleaning and building solutions for Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Follow us on Facebook for more great information.