Safely Sterilizing Bottles in Hotel Rooms During COVID-19

Safely Sterilizing Bottles in Your Hotel Room

Staying in a hotel during the pandemic can cause anxiety about germs and cleanliness. While hotels have increased cleaning protocols, you may still feel more comfortable taking extra steps to sanitize your hotel room, especially bottle and glassware provided by the hotel. Here's how to clean drinking glasses, water bottles, coffee mugs and other bottles in your hotel room to help protect yourself from illness.

Should You Disinfect Your Hotel Room?

Before disinfecting everything in your hotel room, it's reasonable to question whether it's truly necessary. The consensus among experts seems to be that thoroughly wiping down surfaces in high-touch areas is prudent. However, you don't need to go overboard and sanitize the entire room.

According to Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist, it's sensible to disinfect surfaces that you will touch frequently, such as light switches, remote controls, door and cabinet handles. However, he notes that spraying down the walls or scrubbing the floors is "probably overkill."

Dr. Jessica Justman, an infectious disease expert at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center, agrees it's wise to concentrate efforts on disinfecting high-touch areas. She recommends following the same precautions you would observe in public spaces during the pandemic.

Best Practices for Sanitizing Hotel Glasses and Bottles

When staying at a hotel, one of the highest-risk items can be glasses, mugs, and bottles that have been used by previous guests. These smooth surfaces can easily pick up germs from people's hands and mouths.

The hospitality industry has created enhanced sanitation guidelines at most major hotel chains. However, you can take extra steps to sanitize drinkware and bottles left in your room for a peace of mind.

Wash with Hot, Soapy Water

If available, washing glasses, mugs, and bottles with hot, soapy water is the most reliable method. The heat and soap together will effectively kill viruses and bacteria.

Fill the sink or a clean bucket with hot water, adding a generous amount of dish soap. For mugs and glasses, scrub inside and out using a clean cloth or sponge.

Be sure to get in crevices and along the bottom edges. Rinse thoroughly afterward.

For bottles, squirt dish soap inside and scrub vigorously by covering the top with your hand and shaking. Rinse several times until soap residue is gone.

Use Bleach Solution

If you don't have access to hot water and soap, you can make a effective DIY disinfecting bleach solution. The CDC recommends a mix of 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water.

Spray or wipe glasses and bottles with the bleach solution. Allow it to sit for at least 1 minute before rinsing off.

You may notice a chlorine smell initially after using the bleach solution. This will fade after the items fully air dry.

Disinfecting Wipes

Disinfecting wipes or sprays made for hard surfaces can be used to clean glasses, mugs and bottles in your hotel room.

Look for EPA-registered disinfectants and specifically labeled as effective against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Wipe down glasses and bottles thoroughly with disinfecting wipes, being sure to coat the entire surface. Allow the disinfectant to sit visibly wet on the surface for the time indicated on the product label.

Barware Precautions

Take extra care when handling glassware in hotel room wet bars or minibars, as these have the highest likelihood of prior guest use.

Disinfect as described above or consider protecting yourself by using plastic cups or tumblers that you bring and keep sealed in plastic bags.

You may also want to place glassware straight into the dishwasher without initially handling it. Run the dishwasher on the hottest setting.

Refilling Personal Water Bottles

Exercise caution when refilling personal water bottles from bathroom or gym sinks. Rinse with hot water prior to filling. Be sure to thoroughly wash hands first and not touch bottle openings to faucet surfaces.

Consider bringing your own shrink-wrap or other sealable covering to place over refilled water bottle openings for maximum protection.

Daily Precautions When Staying at Hotels

In addition to disinfecting bottles and glassware, here are some other tips for safely navigating hotel stays:

• Request rooms that have not been occupied for 24-48 hours prior to your stay when booking.
• Bring disinfecting wipes to clean handles and surfaces yourself upon arrival and throughout your stay.
• Wash hands frequently, especially after touching any shared surfaces or objects.
• Wear a mask and practice social distancing in all public hotel areas.
• Consider leaving shoes by the door to avoid tracking in contaminants.
• When eating onsite, choose outdoor dining options or eat in your room.
• Minimize use of common areas like the gym, lounge or pool.
• Order room service instead of eating at the restaurant.

Is Extra Disinfection Necessary?

While disinfecting high-touch surfaces is smart, you don't need to become obsessive and try to sanitize every inch of your hotel room. As long as you follow prudent precautions, the risk of contracting COVID-19 or other viruses from properly cleaned hotel rooms is low.

Focus efforts on items closest to your face, such as glasses and bottles. Follow basic hygiene practices like hand washing, mask wearing around others, and social distancing.

Be aware of hotel chain policies enhancing cleaning routines. Most establishments are taking standards to higher levels. Call ahead about specific protocols if it gives you peace of mind.

Finding the right balance between prudent precautions and overkill can help ease worries when traveling. With sensible sanitizing and hygiene habits, you can comfortably enjoy your hotel stay.

Do You Need to Disinfect the Entire Hotel Room?

When staying at a hotel, it's understandable to be concerned about cleanliness and exposure to germs left behind by previous guests. However, experts say disinfecting every surface inside your hotel room is unnecessary and overkill.

"Its more important to practice hand hygiene, physical distancing, mask wearing and not touching your face," says Dr. Ada Stewart, a family physician with Cooperative Health in Columbia, South Carolina. "Sanitizing the whole room is not a requirement."

The coronavirus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets passed between people in close contact. While it's possible to pick it up from touching contaminated surfaces, this is a less likely transmission route.

Focus Efforts on High-Touch Areas

Rather than sanitize each inch of your hotel room, specialists recommend concentrating efforts on disinfecting high-touch common areas.

"I would advise wiping down main touch points upon arrival - light switches, remote control, telephone, bathroom surfaces like faucet handles and the toilet handle," says Dr. Georgine Nanos, a physician and CEO of Kind Health Group in Massachusetts.

Door knobs, alarm clocks, lamp switches and cabinet handles are other common areas to wipe down. Also be sure to disinfect surfaces in the small kitchen area, if provided.

Limit Use of Shared Amenities

In addition to disinfecting, experts emphasize basic precautions like maintaining social distance and wearing a mask when around other people to minimize risk.

"I would avoid shared amenities like gyms, pools and common areas - or wipe down equipment and surfaces before use," advises Dr. Payal Kohli, a physician focused on public health education.

When using shared laundry facilities, wait until machines are empty to access them and disinfect handles before touching. Consider ordering room service rather than eating in the hotel restaurant.

Balance Precautions With Relaxation

While staying alert to risks, don't become so focused on disinfecting that you fail to relax and enjoy your hotel stay. Proper hand hygiene and avoiding touching your face are most essential.

"The room is likely safe if proper cleaning procedures have been followed," says Dr. Kohli. "Take reasonable precautions, but don't let fear of germs ruin your experience."

Calling ahead to ask about the hotel's specific COVID-19 protocols can provide reassurance. Look for establishments requiring masks, enforcing social distancing and undergoing deep cleanings.

With the right balance of awareness and protocols, you can find confidence that your hotel room is clean and safe for enjoying a relaxing getaway.

Tips for Sanitizing Hotel Rooms During COVID-19

Hotels have enhanced cleaning measures during COVID-19, but you can take extra steps to disinfect your room for greater peace of mind. Here are tips for sanitizing a hotel room without going overboard.

Pack Disinfecting Supplies

Come prepared with your own disinfecting wipes, spray and hand sanitizer. Look for EPA-approved products containing ingredients proven to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus behind COVID-19.

Alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol are also effective. Pack enough supplies to clean high-touch surfaces throughout your stay.

Prioritize High-Traffic Areas

Focus on disinfecting the most high-traffic areas of your room, like light switches, door handles, remote controls, alarm clocks and faucet handles.

Also wipe down closet doors, hangers, telephones, pens and surfaces in the kitchenette area. Leave most furniture, floors and walls alone.

Handle Precautions When Unpacking

Unpack your own bags and supplies onto clean surfaces rather than directly onto bedspreads or upholstered furniture, which are harder to disinfect. Wash hands after unpacking.

Place luggage racks or bags into the tub or tile bathroom floor rather than on carpeting if dirty from travel.

Limit Use of Shared Amenities

Avoid hotel gyms, pools, lounge areas and common spaces. If using, maintain social distance and disinfect items like machines and chairs before and after use.

Consider taking the stairs rather than a shared elevator. Request contactless delivery for any room service orders.

Let Hotel Staff Enter Rooms

Allow hotel staff to enter your room for daily cleanings to avoid excess contact with multiple people. Leave during cleanings if possible.

Place the "Do Not Disturb" sign when you don't require cleaning to limit others entering.

With prudent precautions, you can find the right balance between safety and relaxation. Enjoy your hotel stay while protecting your health.

Maintaining Cautious Optimism About Hotel Stays

It's understandable to have concerns about the cleanliness and safety of staying in hotel rooms during the pandemic. However, health experts say exercising reasonable precautions allows enjoying hotel stays while still protecting yourself.

"I think you can maintain cautious optimism if you do your homework about the hotel's cleaning policies," says Dr. Jessica Justman, epidemiologist at Columbia University.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association reports that the industry has implemented expanded safety and cleaning practices. For instance, most hotels now use EPA-approved disinfectants, require masks, and undergo deeper cleanings between guests.

Booking With Confidence

When reserving a hotel, look up their COVID-19 policies on websites or call to ask details. Inquire about sanitation practices and occupancy levels.

Choose options where rooms sit vacant 24-48 hours between guests and are thoroughly cleaned. Request remote check-in procedures when possible.

Also consider booking stays with flexible cancellation policies in case plans must change. Take sensible safety and hygiene precautions once onsite.

Responsible Practices While Staying

The highest risk areas are public hotel spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are around others. Maintain social distance of at least 6 feet in lobbies, gyms, lounges and elevators.

Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer, especially after touching shared surfaces. Avoid excess direct contact with hotel staff and request limited housekeeping visits.

Disinfecting your room is sensible, especially high-touch areas. But extensive scrubbing likely isn't needed if cleaning procedures meet standards.

With proper diligence by hotels and responsible practices by guests, hotel travel can still be reasonably safe and enjoyable.

Key Takeaways

Staying at a hotel may understandably cause concerns during the pandemic. However, with responsible practices, you can still enjoy hotel stays while protecting yourself.

• Focus on disinfecting high-touch common surfaces like light switches, TV remotes and door handles upon arrival and throughout your stay.
• Avoid shared amenities like pools, gyms and lounge areas when possible. If using, maintain strict distancing and disinfect items you touch.
• Wear a mask anytime you are around others in public hotel areas.
• Frequently wash hands and use hand sanitizer, especially after contact with shared surfaces.
• Research hotel chain cleaning policies and book with those meeting safety standards.
• Finding the right balance allows appreciating hotel travel again while still staying healthy.

With COVID-19 likely remaining a fact of life for some time, taking sensible precautions allows resuming activities like hotel stays safely. Be prudent in protecting yourself and others, but don't become overwhelmed with fear. Follow sound advice to confidently enjoy future travels.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.