So, after reading about how germaphobic many people are I thought I would get a UV light to check out the 6 hotels I will be staying at on my next trip. They're not expensive. A nice compact one for travel cost me $10 at Walmart. It works well. The thing is, I'm not a germaphobe. In fact, the only thing I'm adverse to in the hotel room is the bedspread...which goes on the floor as soon as I let go of my luggage...and the glassware in the room...which I wash with soap in the bathroom sink right after dropping the bedspread on the floor. Other than that, I really never think twice about germs in the room, after all, isn't that what our immune systems are for? I tried the UV light out at my home. Not bad except for the 15 year old bedroom carpeting...ugh. How does carpet get all these spots on it? I know we haven't been hanging from the ceilings during our romps around the room...though that could be fun. I now have to take my findings in my hotel rooms in LV with a grain of salt. After all, if my carpet at home could look like this I think I have to give the hotel some leeway, also.
I say ignorance is bliss; don't do it. I believe it was Dateline that ran a similar experiment. It wasn't pretty and some of the higher end hotels were the worst.
Yeah, I remember that Dateline show. I have a small battery operated UV light. Puppies and geriatric cats in the house means that there are icky messes and the UV light helps to get it all. I thought once about bringing it on one of my trips, but decided against it. Yeah, probably better not to know. I read an article in the last few weeks about hotel cleanliness. I was surprised by the results that indicated that 4-5 star properties tend to be worse offenders than 3-star properties. Makes me feel better about being a low-roller. FWIW, the worst locations in hotel rooms for germs are the bathroom counter, the remote control and the phone.
Laughed at all of the responses. I know I shouldn't do it, but I have to do it at least one trip just for the experimentation behind it. Slippers in a hotel room? You've got to be kidding me. After this trip I may be thinking differently. I was a science teacher...I just have to know.
Don't walk barefoot, wipe the remote and telephone, wash the glasses, don't use the coffeemaker, throw away the black light, don't worry, be happy.
I look forward to hearing about your findings when we meet up! Depending on how disturbing they are, I may want to borrow your UV wand. Something tells me that may not be the best idea in the El Cortez though...
The Journal had a blast just a few days back and if you want something filthy ... just check out your friendly neighborhood gym. We have a neighbor who is NUTSO about this stuff. Then her cat takes a crap in the sand, kicks it around, and then runs over to sit on mommy's lap, which is right about the time the dog comes in to bestow a big smooch right after giving itself the back-side tickle. Humans are NOT rational.