Why the Bathtub Is the Safest Place to Store Your Luggage in a Hotel
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Why the Bathtub Is the Safest Place to Store Your Luggage in a Hotel
It’s a familiar scene: you check into your hotel room, swipe your keycard, step in, and immediately drop your suitcase onto the bed. Maybe you bounce on the mattress, peek into the bathroom, or turn on the TV. But according to travel experts and pest control professionals, this common habit could be the biggest mistake of your entire trip.
That’s because even the cleanest, most luxurious hotel rooms can have an invisible issue lurking beneath the surface: bedbugs. And before you even think about unpacking, there’s one unlikely place that might just be your best defense — the bathtub.
The Hidden Threat Inside Hotel Rooms
Let’s get one thing clear: bedbugs don’t care if you’re staying at a budget inn or a five-star resort. These tiny, persistent pests aren’t interested in how much you paid for your room — they care about finding a warm, dark place to hide. They live in mattresses, fabric headboards, upholstered furniture, carpeted floors, and yes — your suitcase.
According to pest-control company Orkin, bedbugs are expert hitchhikers. They crawl swiftly from furniture onto your luggage, quietly burrowing into clothes, zippers, and fabric seams. You might not even know they’re there until a few days — or weeks — after returning home.
That’s why where you place your luggage upon arrival is more important than you might think.
Why the Bathtub?
It may seem strange at first, but the bathtub offers a surprising advantage: it’s one of the few places in a hotel room bedbugs can’t easily reach.
Bedbugs prefer warm, soft areas with plenty of places to hide — mattresses, rugs, couches, and curtains. But bathrooms? With their cold, tiled floors, slick porcelain surfaces, and limited hiding spots, they’re far from a bedbug’s ideal environment.
In fact, bathtubs provide a smooth, nonporous barrier that’s nearly impossible for bedbugs to scale. Unlike a luggage rack or the carpet, the tub creates a safe, elevated zone for your belongings while you take time to inspect the room.
Dr. Katelyn Kesheimer, an entomologist and expert in integrated pest management, told Reader’s Digest that she always places her bags in the bathroom until she finishes a full inspection of the room. Bathrooms, she explains, are not only harder for bugs to infest, but also tend to be cleaned more thoroughly by hotel staff.
So while it may feel a bit unorthodox, placing your suitcase in the tub upon arrival is one of the smartest things you can do to protect yourself — and your home — from a bedbug infestation.
Your Bedbug Defense Plan: Follow the S.L.E.E.P. Method
Once your luggage is safely in the bathroom, it’s time to take a few minutes to inspect the room. Experts recommend the acronym S.L.E.E.P. as a handy guide:
- S — Survey the Room
Check for signs of bedbugs: tiny black or rust-colored spots on sheets, pillowcases, or the mattress seam. Look for shed bug skins or tiny eggs around the bed frame, headboard, or nightstands. - L — Lift and Look
Gently lift the corners of the mattress, the sheets, and the bed skirt. Bedbugs often hide in crevices and seams. Use your phone flashlight to get a better view. - E — Elevate Your Luggage
Ideally, keep your suitcase in the bathtub, away from the floor and soft surfaces. Avoid placing it on the bed, carpet, or couch. - E — Examine Before You Leave
Before you repack, inspect your luggage — especially zippers, seams, and pockets — for any signs of hitchhikers. - P — Place Travel Clothes in the Dryer
Once home, immediately place your travel clothes in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. High heat kills any potential pests that may have come along for the ride.
More Travel-Smart Habits to Avoid Bedbugs
- Keep your clothes sealed in zip-top or compression bags inside your luggage.
- Avoid unpacking into hotel drawers or closets, especially if you’re only staying one or two nights.
- Store smaller items — books, personal care products, and accessories — in hard containers rather than fabric pouches or totes.
- Never place clothes or bags directly on the floor, even if the carpet looks clean.
- Don’t forget to check the luggage rack before using it — the fabric straps and wooden frame are perfect hiding spots for bedbugs.
Is This Just Paranoia? Not Quite.
While bedbug infestations aren’t as common as, say, noisy neighbors or bad Wi-Fi, they are increasing globally, especially in cities with high tourist traffic. The cost — both emotional and financial — of dealing with an infestation after your trip can be steep. Just one or two unnoticed bugs in your luggage can result in months of treatments, lost sleep, and a serious disruption to your life.
That’s why seasoned travelers and pest experts take precautions seriously — and why the bathtub hack isn’t just a gimmick, but a practical, easy way to stay ahead of the problem.
A Final Word: When in Doubt, Trust the Tub
You don’t need to travel in fear. You just need to travel smart. By changing one small habit — placing your suitcase in the bathtub when you arrive — you give yourself time to check your room without taking unnecessary risks.
So next time you roll your luggage through a hotel door, resist the urge to drop it on the bed. Head straight to the bathroom, pop it in the tub, and give your room a quick once-over. You’ll sleep easier knowing you’ve done your part to keep the bugs out — of both your bed and your life.
Your suitcase will thank you. So will your peace of mind.
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