Real reason you should never use free toiletries provided in your hotel room

While it’s tempting to indulge in the complimentary toiletries provided by hotels and holiday lets, a travel expert has issued a stark warning that might make you reconsider. The convenience of not having to splash out on travel-sized personal care items is undeniable, but there could be more to those freebies than meets the eye.

Hannah Westphal, who runs byHannah Vacations, has spilled the beans on why guests should give a second thought to using the so-called complimentary toiletries. She points out that while the idea of saving a few quid and being eco-friendly is appealing, the reality may not always align with these noble intentions, reports the Mirror.

The problem starts when guests don’t treat the complimentary items with respect, which can result in damage to the accommodation or leaving the room in a state that’s less than pristine.

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Hannah expressed her own reservations: “I have to admit, I would never use those refillable shampoo and conditioner bottles in the shower. It’s a bit off-putting not knowing exactly what’s in those dispensers.”

She added a cautionary note, saying: “There’s always the worry someone might have refilled them with something… and believe me, I’ve seen hair removal creams and God knows what else.”

Hannah has dropped a tip for travellers, suggesting it’s smarter to stick with your own toiletries or those that seem tamper-proof. She explained: “Some toiletry pumps have a design that makes them look securely locked. You actually need to unlock them to refill, which prevents guests from altering the contents of the ones already in the hotel room. So, you definitely can use them.”

She’s also advising holidaymakers to pack their own mini toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for their next trip, just to be on the safe side regarding the complimentary products. But let’s face it, sometimes we all forget to throw those essentials into our bags.

For those caught short without their personal care items, Hannah advises: “However, for those who forget to bring their own, the best thing to do is to “head to reception and enquire about any spare ones they might have. “.

In a move towards sustainability, last week the New York State senate declared a ban on single-use toiletry bottles in hotels, set to kick in on January 1, 2025. This new legislation will require hotels with over fifty rooms to ditch the miniature freebies like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturisers.

And for the rule-breakers? Hotels that don’t toe the line will face fines. They’ll be slapped with a $250 (€230) penalty for their first offence after a warning if they don’t sort it out.

Businesses could be hit with a $500 (€460) fine for any additional breaches of the law within the same calendar year. The funds collected will be channelled into the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.

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