Entrepreneur and television star Lori Greiner has issued a stark warning about three items commonly found in hotel rooms that she says are often teeming with bacteria and pose health risks to guests.
Wall-Mounted Soap and Shampoo Dispensers
Greiner, best known for her role as an investor on ABC's 'Shark Tank', first cautioned against using wall-mounted refillable containers of soap and shampoo. In a TikTok video to her 2.5 million followers, she explained that while these dispensers may appear clean, research indicates that around 75% contain levels of bacteria unsafe for human skin. “Most of the time, they are just refilled – not cleaned out – which means bacteria can build up inside,” she said.
Hairdryers: A Hidden Germ Haven
Another item Greiner highlighted is the hotel hairdryer. “It’s one of the most handled and least disinfected in the entire room,” she stated. “Guests touch it with unwashed hands, place it on bathroom counters, and it rarely gets deep cleaned in between stays.” According to Greiner, researchers have found that hotel hairdryers harbor significantly higher levels of bacteria compared to personal-use hair dryers at home.
Kettles: Potential for Unhygienic Use
Greiner also warned about kettles, which she described as “rough.” She claimed that some guests have been known to use kettles for washing socks and undergarments. “Kettles are hardly ever fully sanitised between guests,” she added. Her advice: “If you need hot water, call the front desk and ask for some.”
Greiner concluded her clip by urging viewers to “think twice before using what looks clean.”
Public Reactions and Additional Concerns
The video sparked a wave of responses from viewers sharing their own hygiene concerns. One TikTok user claimed that blankets are among the worst offenders, noting they are “rarely cleaned because of how bulky they are, some hotels wash once a week.” Another alleged that cups and spoons are often cleaned with the same cloth used to clean bathroom surfaces, including toilets. A third commenter revealed they bring their own organic body wash, towels, bed sheets, and pillowcases, and wipe down door knobs and TV remotes with disinfectant wipes upon entering a room. A fourth admitted to paranoia about previous guests tampering with shampoo, stating, “Can’t trust anybody these days.”
