While your hotel bathroom may look spotless, a travel expert is warning about a seemingly harmless amenity. Many travelers see using complimentary hotel toiletries as a nice perk that comes with the room.
Denise McCabe, a seasoned traveler at Ireland Prestige Tours, advises guests to think twice before using these items.
Refillable dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash have become more common recently, mainly due to environmental concerns.
Although the eco-friendly push is commendable, Denise cautions that there may be unsettling truths behind them. She mentions that once a bottle is refilled multiple times, there are doubts about its contents. There have been reports of odd smells or textures, and stories of products like hair removal cream being mixed in. Once you consider this, it’s hard to ignore.
While many dispensers should be avoided, Denise acknowledges that some are safe to use. Dispensers that are securely locked and can only be opened by staff, such as wall-mounted units with restricted access, are generally reliable.
Denise emphasizes that these types are safer, saying, “If you notice that the bottle is tightly sealed and accessible only to staff, it’s less likely that it has been tampered with. In such cases, I’m less worried because housekeeping controls the contents.”
However, some seemingly secure bottles may not be, so if in doubt, it’s best to be cautious.
For Denise, the solution is simple and gives her peace of mind wherever she stays. “I always bring my own travel-sized toiletries. A small shampoo, conditioner, and body wash take up minimal space and eliminate any uncertainties.”
Travel-sized products are convenient, eliminating the need to carry full-sized bottles on your trips.
If you can’t find your usual products in travel sizes, you can transfer a few days’ worth into empty containers from your larger bottles.
Denise also points out another benefit: “Using your own products ensures you don’t suddenly change brands or formulas, which could irritate your skin or scalp, especially if you have sensitivities or allergies.”