Staying in a hotel room can be exciting and daunting at the same time.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Hotel Room

Exciting because it means you’re on vacation, but nerve-wracking because you have no way of knowing who has been in that hotel room before you or if it’s been cleaned properly. If you’re as anxious as some of us are about germs, here are a few things you should NEVER use in your hotel room.

The Iron

Now, hear us out. Ironing may be the last thing you likely want to do on your vacation, but some people who have to travel for work or for special events very much may use it. However, did you know there was an internet trend where people admitted to using the iron to reheat certain types of food, like pizza?

Ironing board and in-room safe

YIKES. Yes, we’re not kidding. Irons aren’t typically something the cleaning crew at hotels think about people using for food, so we totally wouldn’t expect them to check it for cheese residue. But if you don’t have to iron your clothes, maybe stay away just in case.

Coffee Pot

We know coffee is a morning essential for many people (we are also those people), but using the coffee pot in your room isn’t something we’d necessarily recommend because again — it may have been rinsed out by the people before you, but then if it looks clean and unused, why would the cleaning crew think to fully clean it?

Coffee Pot

Now, a coffee maker is a little different, but we’d still say proceed with caution and don’t use any of the reusable coffee mugs in the room (unless you fully wash them before you use them). Disposable cups should be fine, as well as using your own cup or mug, but just be check the coffee maker before you start and make sure it doesn’t look gross.

Shower Products

If you’re someone who has very specific shower products you use, whether it’s because you have sensitive skin, your hair requires specific care, or you’re allergic to certain scents/products, DO NOT use the shower products in your hotel room.

Shower Products

While there’s nothing wrong with these products, per se, they’re typically not the highest quality, so if you’ve got skin or hair that’s very sensitive, you’ll definitely want to bring your own products. However, these are otherwise great in a pinch, especially if you’re at Disney!

TV Remote

This is likely one you’ve heard before, especially if you’re a germaphobe. Lots of people use the TVs in their hotel rooms, which means many people touch them. Sometimes you’ll see them in a bag, indicating they’ve been cleaned, but otherwise, there’s no way to guarantee that the remote hasn’t been touched by approximately 1,000 people before you without being cleaned.

TV Remote

When in doubt, we recommend bringing some cleaning wipes with you and just wiping it down quickly to get rid of any leftover germs. It’s quick, easy, and it’ll bring you some peace of mind — while you’re at it, you can wipe down some other high-touch spots in the room!

Pixar Place Hotel Room

Ultimately, most hotels do a great job with cleaning in between guests (Disney especially), but it’s always good to be prepared with some wipes of your own if germs are a concern for you.

As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and ways to prepare for your trip!

What’s the worst hotel experience you’ve ever had? Tell us in the comments!