Ex-Hotel Worker Says Room Glasses Rarely Washed Between Guests

The drinking glasses left in hotel rooms may be far less clean than they look, according to former hotel employee Jannessa Richards.

Richards said that in most hotel rooms, glasses are left untouched unless it is obvious they have been used — mainly as a way to save on water and electricity costs.

"At best, we rinse it with some hot water," she said, suggesting that even when the glasses are attended to, a quick rinse may not be enough.

"I recommend not using them at all because they are neither washed nor changed between reservations as long as they look clean," she added.

New rules in France

The situation is complicated further by France's AGEC law, which from 1 January 2025 bans single-use plastic packaging — including the protective covers hotels place over glasses.

Without those covers, staff face difficulty telling whether a glass has already been used, as the covers previously served as a handy sign of cleanliness.

Study: 80% contamination

A study by the University of Houston found an 80% contamination rate of fecal bacteria on various hotel room objects, including TV remotes, toilet seats, shower floors and light switches.

Cleaning tools such as mops and sponges used by housekeeping can also carry the bacteria, potentially spreading them around the room rather than removing them.

Expert advice

Katie Kirsch of the University of Houston advised guests to wash their hands as soon as they enter a room and to disinfect high-touch items such as remotes and light switches.

As for drinking glasses, Kirsch suggested guests either wash them thoroughly themselves or skip using them altogether to lower the risk.

While hotels aim to provide a comfortable stay, the disclosures point to hidden risks in some room amenities. With a little extra care, travellers can make smarter choices about how they handle everyday items on the road.