Upon arriving in a hotel room, it’s hard to resist the urge to drop your suitcase right away to start unpacking. And what could be more convenient than placing that bag on the bed? Yet this habit, adopted by many travelers, is far from harmless. According to several experts, it’s even the worst possible place to set down and open your suitcase. Here’s why.
Why the bed is the worst place to put down your suitcase
For many travelers, the bed is the most convenient spot to open their suitcase and unpack. According to data shared by Real Simple, 38% of travelers place their suitcase directly on the hotel bed. Yet this reflex is far from advisable.
Why? The problem comes from the path the luggage takes before arriving in the room. They pass through airport terminals, security screening belts, public transportation, taxi trunks, or sidewalks. So many surfaces that could be contaminated…
“It is likely that your luggage has spent time in unsanitary places”, explains Timothy Southern, director of the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory and associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, in Travel + Leisure.
The specialist also notes that suitcases can carry pathogens from one surface to another. “Some bacteria and some viruses can persist on the surface of a suitcase and then contaminate the bedding”, adds Timothy Southern.
Beyond bacteria and viruses, bed bugs constitute another risk. These insects can hide in the seams of a suitcase, in clothing, or in the upholstered furniture in the room. By placing your luggage on the bed, the risk of transporting them or picking them up increases.
“One of the reasons travelers are advised not to place their luggage on hotel beds is to limit the spread of bed bugs”, notes the expert.
The solutions recommended by specialists
The good news is that there are simple alternatives. The first is to use a luggage rack, equipment found in many hotel rooms. Placed at the right height, it allows you to store or retrieve your belongings without placing the luggage on the bedding.
“By simply using a luggage rack, you can prevent unwanted guests from contaminating your bedding, whether at home or on your trip”, says Timothy Southern.
When the room doesn’t have one, other furniture can do the job. Julie Durso, A-List travel advisor for Scott Dunn, recommends in Travel + Leisure using a desk, a dresser, or a bench at the foot of the bed—surfaces better suited than the bedding.
Finally, if none of these solutions are available, the bathroom floor remains the best option, according to experts. Its hard, non-porous surface is far less conducive to bed bug establishment than carpets or fabric-covered furniture.
Adopting this simple habit helps limit the risk of transporting bacteria, viruses or bed bugs into your luggage, and then to your home. Finally, once your belongings are out, remember to close your suitcase rather than leaving it open for the entire stay. This reduces the chances for any insects to settle in. Easy precautions that can prevent many inconveniences after a hotel stay.
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