Decorative pillows in hotels: Why even touching them can invite disease

Mr. Prakash checked-into his lavish hotel room and the first thing he did was throw himself on the plush looking decorative throw pillows only to find some disgusting spots on them. He immediately called the hotel’s reception and asked for the housecleaning which arrived in five minutes. But what they told him, erased all his happy memories of staying in hotel rooms!The housekeeping lady discreetly told him that they never wash the pillows, especially the decorative ones and the bed throws are also washed once in a year or so. It was a horrifying piece of information for Mr. Prakash who was a regular hotel visitor because of his work.It’s a hard truth to digest. The neatly arranged beds with stylish throw pillows and throws look extremely welcoming but behind the beauty of these cushions lies a not-so-pleasant reality—decorative pillows are rarely, if ever, washed. And worst, these can carry everything from saliva and dead skin to mites and germs. If you are someone who values hygiene, it may be wise to admire them from afar rather than resting your head on them. Let’s dive in deeper:The ignored side of hotel cleanlinessThough hotels often carry and show a strict cleaning protocol, especially when it comes to bedsheets and towels, the decorative pillows or throw pillows don’t fall into the same category. It is because these pillows are only ‘decorative’ or ‘showpieces’ and not directly meant for sleeping. This means that a pillow placed on your bed today could have been hugged, slept on, or coughed into by multiple guests before you.What could be on those pillowsYou don’t want to know the answer because it’s unsettling. Dead skin cells: Humans naturally shed dead skin cells throughout the day. And when someone presses against these pillows, the skin particles transfer onto the fabric. Saliva: Well when you are sleeping on a pillow, saliva is another thing that can get transferred onto the pillowcase.Sweat, makeup, and hair oils: These, when unwashed, become a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites. These fabrics then absorb these, and without cleaning (frequently), accumulate a lot of dust and mite which only grows worse.If anyone has any allergies or asthma, these pillows can create a lot of health issues. Dust mites thrive in fabrics, and the allergens they produce can trigger sneezing, red eyes, or difficulty in breathing too. Hidden Health RisksDecorative pillows are not just repositories for skin and sweat; they can also carry germs. The presence of bacteria and microbes on the fabric of these pillows is still unhygienic. Some studies on hotel cleanliness have discovered that items not regularly washed include:Bedspreads Decorative pillowsGlasswareWindow/Door curtainsHow to stay safeStaying away and not touching them are some of the best precautions you can take. Avoid using decorative pillows at all. If you must touch them, move them to a chair or the floor or the cupboard and lock them in. Sanitise/wash your hands thoroughly. Or carry your own pillowcases or travel pillows just to stay safe.So the next time you check into a hotel, do not fall on those pillows!