The One Thing You Should Never Go Without in a Hotel Room

There’s nothing like kicking up your feet in a hotel room after a day of exploring. Whether you’ve trekked for miles around an unfamiliar city or stood in line for a bucket list attraction, your feet have likely earned a moment of rest. But before you slip off your shoes and relax, there’s one essential item you should have nearby: socks or slippers. As it turns out, going barefoot in a hotel room is one of the dirtiest things you can do while traveling. Here’s why cozy slippers are more than just a luxury.

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Hidden Dangers Beneath Your Feet

We’re all probably guilty of this travel faux pas. After a long day on your feet, who doesn’t want to let them breathe? But according to industry insiders, that seemingly innocent barefoot stroll to the bathroom can spread a myriad of germs.

Jacob Tomsky, a seasoned hotel industry expert and author, revealed to Sun Online Travel that hotel floors — especially the carpeted areas — are the dirtiest part of a room. He explains, “Yes, they are vacuumed but they will almost never get a shampoo and a deep clean as there are constantly people staying in the rooms.” 

Because there usually isn’t enough time to properly sanitize carpets between guests, floors can be full of dirt, grime, pet allergens, bacteria, and potentially sharp objects (including broken glass).

Bathroom Bacteria

Not even tiled floors are immune. A study published by the American Journal of Infection Control revealed some troubling truths about the state of hotel bathroom floors, too. When a toilet is flushed, contaminants are sent flying onto the floor over 80% of the time. If the floors aren’t appropriately sterilized, you’ll step on these contaminants and potentially spread them around the room. 

“There’s also a difference between cleaning and disinfecting,” environmental health professor Kelly Reynolds explained to Time magazine. “Sometimes the act of cleaning does more harm than good because you’re just spreading the germs to new areas.” 

Because of this, many hotel floors harbor germs that vacuuming and spot cleaning can’t remove. This is why you should always keep something to wear within arm’s reach, whether it’s a pair of slippers by the door, socks on the nightstand, or shower shoes in the bathroom.

What’s the Risk?

We’ve established that hotel floors are likely very dirty, but how big a risk does going barefoot pose to your health? “Our feet definitely are germy,” veteran podiatrist Dr. Saylee Tulpule told Men’s Health. They are a natural magnet for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Going barefoot also increases the likelihood of foot injuries, such as cuts and scrapes, resulting in a broken skin barrier that can open the door to dangerous pathogens. 

Additionally, going barefoot can “potentially cause problems like warts, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, and infections,” explains Dr. Julia Schottenstein, podiatrist and founder of the Schottenstein Center. For these reasons, it’s recommended to cover your feet for the duration of your hotel stay.

The Unsung Heroes of Hotel Stays

To safeguard your feet, Dr. Tulpule recommended wearing flip-flops or shower shoes in shared spaces, such as hotel pools, spas, and gym showers. It’s also a good idea to wear them on highly trafficked sandy beaches to avoid cuts from debris. Back in your room, switch to socks or slippers at the door to avoid bringing those outside germs indoors.

Many hotels provide complimentary slippers for guests, but if your hotel doesn’t offer slippers, a pair of compact, washable travel slippers is an easy solution. Pack them in your bag, and you’ll be ready to relax comfortably (and safely) in your hotel room.

Ultimately, by taking the simple step of slipping into socks and slippers as soon as you walk in the door, you’re protecting yourself from germs that could quickly ruin a great time. Next time you pack for a trip, ensure you have these essentials — your feet will thank you.