Checking into a hotel usually starts with excitement — you toss your suitcase on the bed, peek into the bathroom, and maybe bounce on the mattress. Yet travel and pest-control experts warn that the very first thing you do could be the riskiest part of your stay. Before you unpack, the safest spot for your luggage isn’t the luggage rack or the carpet — it’s the bathtub.
That may sound strange, but the logic is simple: bedbugs. Even upscale hotels can harbor these tiny hitchhikers, which hide in fabric and wood, waiting for new guests. According to pest control company Orkin, bedbugs move quickly across floors and furniture, and can climb into bags left on beds or carpets overnight. Because hotels see constant guest turnover, even one infested suitcase can spread the problem across multiple rooms.
Bathrooms, however, are rarely part of their domain. Bedbugs thrive in soft, warm environments — mattresses, couches, and rugs — but they struggle to climb smooth, slick surfaces. That makes the cold porcelain of a bathtub a temporary safe zone for your luggage while you inspect the rest of the room. Entomologist Dr. Katelyn Kesheimer told Reader’s Digest she always keeps her bags in the bathroom until she’s certain the room is bug-free, adding that bathrooms see less human traffic and are cleaned more thoroughly.
Experts recommend following the acronym S.L.E.E.P. when checking in: Survey the room for dark stains or bug shells; Lift and look under the mattress and bed frame; Elevate your luggage — ideally in the tub; Examine your suitcase before leaving; and Place your travel clothes in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes once home. This simple process dramatically lowers the odds of bringing home unwanted guests.
To further protect your belongings, keep clothes sealed in plastic bags, avoid unpacking into drawers, and store personal items — like books or toiletry bags — in hard containers. Bedbugs are masters at hiding in cloth and paper, and can live up to a year without feeding, making even a small mistake costly once you return home.
It may feel unusual to stash your luggage in a bathtub, but seasoned travelers swear by it. A few minutes of precaution can save you months of dealing with an infestation. Next time you check in, skip the luggage rack and trust the tub — your suitcase, and your peace of mind, will thank you.
