Are there bed bugs in your hotel mattress or just a little gem of a movie left behind by the previous dweller? A colleague recently checked into a hotel room and, on strict instructions from his wife, began an inspection of the the mattress and surrounding bedding. When he peaked between the mattresses, he found a porn movie of the man on man variety. In this day and age, in the New York City region, we like to think hotel management is vigilant. We like to think the staff cleans rooms with an extra eye towards detecting little tiny buggers moving into their beds and fake, glued-to-the-wall headboards. If hotel staff are missing movies hidden between the mattresses, what else are they missing?
We all have heard about the dirtiest things in a hotel room (the remote, the bedspread, glasses, the phone) but you really can't think too much about what the last person did in the bed you are about to sleep in, or you might go crazy. I know someone who sleeps in her mummy sleeping bag whenever she goes to a hotel. That is no way to live - we have immune systems for a reason. But, unlike the polyester bedspread that at least 100 people have had sex on, bed bugs come home with you.
Bed bugs don't have to be the reason for your next staycation, they are just a new part of domestic travel. Here are the best tips I have heard about how to protect yourself during travel. One, pack light and try not to pack clothing that needs to be dry cleaned or can't go in the dryer. Oh and if you can, pack into a bag that can go in the dryer. Two, leave your stuff by the door and do an inspection of the bedding and wood surrounding the bed. Three, use the metal legged luggage rack (don't lean it against the wall) and preferably store all your stuff in the bathroom. Four, when you get home everything goes directly into the dryer. Five, clean your laundry area (see previous post). So go ahead, book your next trip and as you snuggle in try not to think too much about the bed.
