Why You Should Put Your Luggage in the Hotel Bathtub
Exploring a new hotel room is exciting, but before unpacking, place your luggage in the bathtub. It may sound strange, but experts say it’s the safest spot to protect your belongings from bedbugs.
Most travelers drop their suitcases on the bed or floor—prime areas for bedbugs, which thrive in soft, warm places like mattresses and carpets. The smooth, clean surface of a bathtub makes it a bedbug-free zone, as these pests can’t climb slick surfaces.
Entomologist Katelyn Kesheimer, PhD, recommends keeping luggage in the bathroom while inspecting the room. Once it’s clear, she avoids placing bags on the bed, since bathrooms are the least likely place to find bedbugs.
Orkin’s S.L.E.E.P. Tips:
-
Survey the room for signs of infestation.
-
Lift and look in hiding spots like mattresses and furniture.
-
Elevate luggage—best in the bathtub.
-
Examine your luggage before leaving.
-
Place clothes in a hot dryer for 20 minutes after returning home.
To stay bug-free, keep clothes in sealed bags, avoid unpacking into drawers, and store all non-metal items securely. Bedbugs can survive months without food, so extra caution pays off.
Next time you check into a hotel, skip the bed and let your suitcase rest in the tub—you’ll thank yourself later.