A viral revelation from an Australian singer has exposed a common hotel practice that many travellers find deeply unsettling, prompting a wave of agreement from former housekeeping staff.
The Viral Warning That Struck a Chord
Aussie singer G Flip, who uses they/them pronouns, shared a video that has been viewed over 300,000 times, demonstrating the first thing they do upon entering a hotel room. The 32-year-old, married to former Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, was seen tossing decorative pillows and the bedspread onto the floor.
"The first thing we should all do when we enter a hotel room," G Flip declared in the clip. "Get those NASTY unwashed pillows away - don't go near them." The singer's reasoning highlighted a little-known fact: while sheets are laundered between guests, decorative items like pillows, throws, and bedspreads often go unwashed for weeks or even months.
Former Cleaners Confirm the Dirty Truth
The post resonated powerfully because it echoed the confidential experiences of hotel housekeepers. Several former cleaners came forward to confirm the grim reality, validating travellers' worst suspicions.
One individual with a decade of experience stated: "I was a hotel cleaner for 10 years. Those pillows aren't washed, the doonas and blankets are washed once a year." They also warned against using in-room glassware, claiming it is often cleaned with the same rags used in bathrooms.
Another ex-housekeeper advised: "I worked in housekeeping, sadly it's true. They're never washed. Same for glassware in the rooms. Be careful. Ask to change everything." A third recommended bringing your own bedding and conducting thorough checks for bed bugs.
Extreme Measures Travellers Are Now Taking
The discussion unleashed a flood of responses from hotel guests detailing their own rigorous cleaning rituals. Many confessed to immediately removing decorative bedding, with one noting they place items "neatly out of the way otherwise the housekeeper might put them back."
Other common practices shared include:
- Wiping down all high-touch surfaces like remote controls, light switches, and door handles with antibacterial wipes.
- Never drinking from hotel glasses or cups, with one person citing the alarming practice of guests boiling underwear in kettles.
- Bringing personal bedding, including full-length sheets, silk pillowcases, or even entire sleeping bags.
- Conducting immediate and thorough inspections for bed bugs on the mattress.
One traveller summarised the sentiment: "Hotel rooms are actually so gross." Another shared a peculiar grievance, comparing tightly tucked sheets to being "stuck in a condom," a feeling many sought to rectify immediately.
The viral moment has clearly tapped into a widespread anxiety about hotel cleanliness, moving beyond a simple travel hack to a broader conversation about hygiene standards in the hospitality industry. With insider confirmation from staff, it seems the instinct to strip the bed of its decorative layers is more than just a quirk—it's a precaution based on an uncomfortable reality.
