It’s a small luxury many travellers take for granted — stepping into a hotel shower and reaching for those neatly lined bottles of shampoo and body wash. But according to hospitality insiders, that habit might not be as harmless as it looks. As one former hotel manager warns, those complimentary toiletries could be hiding some unpleasant surprises.
The hidden risk behind refillable bottles
Hotels around the world have replaced single-use mini bottles with large refillable dispensers in the name of sustainability. It’s a smart move for reducing plastic waste, but it also opens the door — quite literally — to hygiene problems.
As one hospitality expert explained on social media, these unsealed dispensers are easily tampered with. Because the bottles are often left unlocked, anyone could unscrew the cap and pour in whatever they like — from bleach or soap mixtures to more alarming substances. “You never really know what’s inside,” she warned in a viral TikTok video that’s been viewed more than 600,000 times.
While most guests are unlikely to do anything malicious, the possibility is enough to make even the most seasoned traveller think twice before lathering up with hotel shampoo.
A hotel insider’s advice
The former hotel manager — now a travel content creator — says she learned the hard way to never rely on in-room toiletries. Instead, she always packs her own shampoo, conditioner and shower gel in travel-sized bottles under 100 ml, keeping them in her carry-on for convenience.
“It’s a simple precaution,” she explains. “When you bring your own products, you know exactly what’s in them — and you avoid any unpleasant surprises.”
Frequent travellers are catching on too. A quick look at travel forums shows dozens of guests echoing similar experiences, with some reporting odd smells, unusual textures or even allergic reactions after using hotel-provided toiletries.
Dermatologists back up the concern, noting that many hotel products contain cheap formulas and harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin or damage hair. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends avoiding products with unclear ingredient labels, particularly in communal settings like hotels.
It doesn’t stop at shampoo
If that revelation wasn’t enough to make you cautious, the same hotel insider also shared another unsettling truth: the drinking glasses in your room might not be as clean as they look. According to her, many hotels don’t properly sanitise glassware between guests — and in some cases, staff simply wipe them down with pillowcases or towels.
The result? A seemingly spotless glass that’s actually a breeding ground for bacteria. “Nine times out of ten, those glasses aren’t washed with proper disinfectant,” she said. “Always rinse them out before using.”
Public health experts agree. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long emphasised that frequently touched surfaces — even in high-end hotels — can harbour germs, especially when turnover between guests is quick.
How to stay safe when travelling
The takeaway isn’t to panic, but to be prepared. If you’re staying in a hotel, bring your own small toiletries and give anything you plan to use — glasses, mugs, or even the TV remote — a quick wipe-down with a disinfectant wipe. It takes less than a minute and could spare you a nasty surprise.
And if you’re someone who loves a good hotel shower but still wants to be eco-conscious, invest in a reusable silicone travel bottle set. It’s a one-time purchase that lets you pack your favourite products without contributing to plastic waste.
Because while most hotels do their best to keep things spotless, a little vigilance goes a long way. When it comes to hygiene, especially while travelling, it’s always better to be safe — and shampoo-savvy — than sorry.
