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May 10, 2024

'I'm a hotel manager

A travelling hotel manager, who posts on TikTok as @travelinghotelmanager, has said she never uses one particular item when staying someone due to a particular fear A hotel manager has urged people

A travelling hotel manager, who posts on TikTok as @travelinghotelmanager, has said she never uses one particular item when staying someone due to a particular fear

A hotel manager has urged people not to use shampoo bottles in hotels for one alarming reason. TikTok travel tipster @travelinghotelmanager, who shares insight from her time moving around different establishments, has highlighted the one item that she never uses when checked in.

In a viral video, which has so far amassed over 730,000 views, the travel pro explained why you should avoid the shampoo, conditioner and body wash provided to you at hotels - and it isn't because she has a sensitive scalp.

"When you check into your room and you go into your shower and you see (shampoo bottles), they are usually full size. We have shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Here's your tip: Don't ever use these," she said. "Why? Because they are not secure. These can come off and the previous guest can put anything they want in there. They can put hair colour, bleach, anything in these, don't ever use these."

The hotel manager suggested that you always bring your own mini-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash to avoid the risk of not knowing what's in the bottle. If you find yourself having forgotten to bring your own shampoo and don't fancy braving the possibility of a booby-trapped bottle, then the travel tipster recommends heading down to reception.

She said: "If you don't bring your own, go down to the front desk and ask for a fresh set or even the mini ones." In the comments below her video some questioned what the chances of someone filling up a bottle with mystery liquid and then leaving it in a hotel bathroom actually were.

"Please tell us a specific instance when someone actually did this," one person asked. Others were more sympathetic with the tip, claiming they already followed the advice. "I always bring my own toiletries. I never even use the mini ones. I don’t care if they’re sealed or not," one person wrote. Another added: "I’ve always thought this too! I always bring my own and tell my loved ones not to use them."

Previously former hotel manager Melissa Hanks said she that she has seen Nair - a well known hair removal product - and 'God knows what else' in the bottles. While many commenters expressed wishes for the return of mini-bottles instead of big ones in hotels, these may soon be becoming a thing of the past, in EU countries at least.

The European Commission is slapping a ban on their use as part of new EU-wide rules on packaging and waste, it was announced in December last year. That means every time you stay in a hotel within one of the EU member states, they'll either have to provide you with a large bottle, or you'll have to source your own cosmetics.

The move is part of a package to cut down on the amount of waste produced by EU citizens each year. On average, each European generates almost 180kg of packaging waste per year. "Packaging is one of the main users of virgin materials as 40% of plastics and 50% of paper used in the EU is destined for packaging," a report from the Commission states.

"Without action, the EU would see a further 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030, and for plastic packaging waste even a 46% increase. The new rules aim to stop this trend. For consumers, they will ensure reusable packaging options, get rid of unnecessary packaging, limit overpackaging, and provide clear labels to support correct recycling. For the industry, they will create new business opportunities, especially for smaller companies, decrease the need for virgin materials, boosting Europe's recycling capacity as well as making Europe less dependent on primary resources and external suppliers."

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