When walking into a hotel room after a long day of travel, probably one of the first things you do is open up your luggage to unpack your toiletries. One woman, however, warns against this practice, as it can make you regret ever arriving at the hotel in the first place.
In a viral clip, seasoned traveler Pollyann (@traveltipswithpalma) issued a PSA to people who frequent hotels: Put your suitcase in the shower. But is her strange advice alarmist, or does it have some merit?
Pollyann’s clip, which earned 159,000 views as of Tuesday, begins with her entering her hotel room.
“I was today years old when I learned the FIRST thing you do at a hotel is put your suitcase in…THE SHOWER!” the text overlay reads. Pollyann’s clip then transitions to her luggage and purse standing inside the shower in her room.
She adds some more context in the caption, writing, “I know it sounds crazy but the first thing I do when I get to a hotel? I toss my suitcase in the shower. Don’t turn it on of course. Lol.”
Pollyann explains that bed bugs “love luggage and cloth-covered surfaces,” so keeping your suitcase away from beds, carpets, or other upholstered furniture by putting it in a shower or tub “gives you time to inspect the room without giving any critters a chance to hitch a ride.”
She adds a tip: “Always do a quick check of the mattress seams and headboard before settling in!”
Viewers Are Divided On The Rule
While Pollyann’s advice may have been in good faith, some found fault in her logic.
“Now the outside germs from your suitcase are in the showers where you put your bare feet,” one viewer wrote. This led Pollyann to reply, “Bare feet in a hotel shower is probably a risky move as well. I’m not saying I don’t do it- but it would be wise to wear shower shoes.” She compares it to having bare feet “by the pool.”
Others, however, thanked the TikToker for her advice and vowed to try it next time they travel.
Should You Put Your Luggage In The Hotel Bathtub?
It appears Pollyann was following the advice of several experts who indeed recommend you put your suitcase in the bathtub or shower when at a hotel. In 2024, Travel + Leisure published an article on this travel tip. It highlighted bedbugs as the reason for this odd advice. However, carpets and beds weren’t the only risky places. An expert the outlet interviewed said luggage racks aren’t safe, either. (The fabric can harbor bedbugs, too.)
But this begs the question: do you just leave your suitcase there for the entirety of your stay? What if you need to shower? Apartment Therapy breaks this down by asking an entomologist from the National Pest Management Association.
“You can either place your luggage in the tub while you thoroughly check your room for bed bugs, or leave your stuff in the bathroom during your entire stay,” Brittany Campbell, Ph.D., told AT. (Though don’t forget to take it out before turning on the shower.)
Tips To Prevent Bringing Home Bed Bugs While Traveling
No one wants to bring home something a little extra other than souvenirs, and these tiny critters will infest your home if they catch a free plane ride back with you. However, there are ways to lower the risk. The New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene has a handy PDF that lists ways to prevent and identify bedbugs. Some tips include:
- Use a hard-sided suitcase.
- Pack a resealable plastic bag.
- Bring a flashlight with you to check for bedbugs.
- Check the tiny crevices in your hotel room (mattress, drawers, nightstand).
- Carry antibacterial wipes to clean surface areas.
The department goes so far as to recommend not unpacking altogether if you are there for only one night or two.
@traveltipswithpalma I know it sounds crazy but the first thing I do when I get to a hotel? I toss my suitcase in the shower. 🚿🧳 Don’t turn it on of course. Lol. Not to be dramatic—but bed bugs love luggage and cloth covered surfaces. Keeping your suitcase off carpets, beds, and upholstered furniture (and placing it in a slick surface like the tub) gives you time to inspect the room without giving any critters a chance to hitch a ride. ⠀ 🕵️♀️ Tip: Always do a quick check of the mattress seams and headboard before settling in! ⠀ #travelhacks #bedbugprevention #hoteltraveltips #travelsmarter #luggagetips #midbudgettravel
UPDATE: In a TikTok message to BroBible, Polly , who is a school teacher, says she learned this trick after researching bed bugs.
“I have never had bed bugs and would like to keep it that way,” she shared. “I also never use hotel shampoo and conditioner unless it’s in a small sealed bottle! I’m especially wary of the larger refillable bottles.”
She says this is because they are “low quality” and the refillable bottles are “easily tampered with so you never know what could be in there!”