When you first enter a hotel room, most people tend to focus on checking the bed, turning on the air conditioner, or looking around for amenities. However, seasoned travelers often share an unusual but surprisingly practical tip: boil a kettle of water and pour it into the toilet before using it. This article explains in detail why this simple action can be a wise hygiene practice during your stay.

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Boiling Water in the Toilet: A Simple yet Effective High-Temperature Disinfection Method

Although the toilet appears clean at first glance, hotel bathrooms are used by multiple guests every day. Because of this high turnover, it’s nearly impossible to avoid the presence of harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens commonly found in public restrooms. These microorganisms are invisible to the naked eye, but once they come into contact with human skin—or worse, enter the digestive system—they can cause skin infections, gastrointestinal discomfort, or even food-borne illnesses.

Pouring boiling water into the toilet bowl (especially the seat area) helps destroy a large portion of bacteria living on the surface. The high temperature rapidly breaks down the biological structure of the microbes, providing an additional layer of protection before you use the bathroom. For safety, always allow the toilet to cool before sitting down or flushing.

This practice doesn’t replace professional cleaning, but it acts as a quick, effective, and easy extra step—particularly useful in budget hotels or rooms with questionable cleaning standards.

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Other Hotel Items You Should Consider Disinfecting

1. Towels

Hotels change towels regularly, but that doesn't guarantee perfect hygiene. In some cases, towels may not be washed thoroughly due to rushed laundry cycles. There have also been reports of previous guests misusing towels—for cleaning the floor, wiping shoes, or other inappropriate purposes.

To stay safe, you can:

• Soak the towels in hot water before using them.

• Bring your own personal towel or microfiber travel towel.

2. Indoor Slippers

Reusable indoor slippers provided by hotels may have been worn by many guests. If the previous user had athlete's foot or other foot infections, the next guest could easily contract them.

You can clean the slippers with hot water or simply bring a lightweight pair from home.

3. Electric Kettle

The hotel kettle is another item often mentioned in hygiene discussions. There have been cases where kettles were used improperly by some guests, leading to concerns about bacteria or residue inside.

You may:

• Boil a full kettle of water and discard it before making tea or drinks.

• Opt to drink bottled water.

• Bring your own travel kettle if you have space.

4. Remote Controls & Telephones

These items are among the most frequently touched in any hotel room but are rarely sanitized thoroughly.

Before using them, wipe the surfaces with:

• Sanitizing wipes

• Alcohol pads

This quick step can reduce the risk of germs transferring to your hands and face.

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Travel Tips to Maintain Better Hygiene in Hotels

Choose Reputable Hotels

If possible, pick hotels with positive reviews and high cleanliness ratings. They tend to follow strict room-cleaning procedures and maintain better hygiene standards.

Ask About the Cleaning Schedule

Upon check-in, you may ask the staff about:

• When the room was last cleaned

• Whether linens and pillow covers can be changed immediately

Most hotels will accommodate such requests.

Bring Essential Hygiene Items

To ensure a safer trip, prepare items such as:

• Sanitizing wipes

• Portable kettle

• Personal towels

• Antibacterial spray

Maintain Good Personal Hygiene

Regardless of where you stay, these habits protect you:

• Wash your hands regularly

• Avoid touching public surfaces unnecessarily

• Do not use shared utensils or items that haven’t been sanitized

These small actions help minimize the risk of infection and make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.