8 Tips for Germ-Free Travel

Avoid These Hotel Horrors

The freshly made bed and unblemished towel in a hotel room can be deceptively comforting, but many small items may not have been cleaned properly and could be covered in E. coli and Enterococci. According to Dr. Garman and Dr. Spengler, objects with a high touch rate, such as TV remotes, telephones, and door handles, are the most likely places to pick up bacteria and viruses. Simply wiping items down with an antibacterial wipe can fix this problem entirely. And be wary of the water glasses. You never know if the housekeeper was wearing the same gloves to wash the cups as she did to clean the toilet. Let the tumbler sit under hot water, or only drink from cups wrapped in plastic.

Originally published on FitnessMagazine.com, May 2012.

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