selective focus of yellow luggage near woman in hotel room


A hotel hygiene report found hotel environments carry more germs than average households. The research identified the areas housekeeping and contracted cleaning services should prioritize when maintaining safe and healthy environments. As commercial cleaning executives prepare facilities—especially hospitality spaces—for spring vacationers and increased foot traffic, they can train frontline staff to prioritize these sanitizing and disinfecting tasks to promote a healthy stay.

Studying 36 bacteria samples across nine hotels, measured in colony-forming units (CFU) per square inch, the study revealed the “germiest” surfaces are the bathroom counter (1.2 million CFU), remote control (1.2 million CFU), desk (614,907 CFU), and phone (4,252 CFU).  By examining the separate strains, it was distinguished that bacillus spp, a pathogen associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, is commonly located on a remote control. Similarly, gram-negative rods, which can cause other infections, were found on all surfaces mentioned. This indicates a need for refining cleaning regimens and ensuring cleaning teams are educated on effective protocols to promote infection control.

Guidance on which touchpoint areas to sanitize and disinfect is a start. However, frontline workers will also need to know which products to use, as well as their individual frequency and duration. When cleaning teams use established products—such as EPA-certified cleaners—and adhere to the correct amount and dwell time, germ transmission is greatly reduced. Additionally, promoting proper hand hygiene among all staff can also limit the spread of infection from high-touch surfaces.