I’ve been traveling for work for over 15 years now, clocking in about 100 nights a year in everything from budget roadside motels to high-end business hotels. Over the years, I’ve noticed a shift. Hotel rooms used to just have a TV and a lamp. Now, they are packed with gadgets: pod coffee machines, garment steamers, smart mirrors, and Bluetooth alarm clocks.
While these hotel electrical appliances are meant to make our stay more comfortable, they can also be sources of frustration, hygiene nightmares, or even damage to our personal belongings if we aren't careful.
I wanted to compile a "Best Practices" guide for dealing with the gadgets in your room, based on some hard-learned lessons (RIP to my favorite white shirt, ruined by a rusty iron in Chicago in 2018).
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the hygiene of water-heating devices. We have all read the horror stories on forums about what some guests do with the in-room kettle (boiling socks/underwear). While these stories are extreme, the reality is that housekeeping rarely scrubs the inside of these hotel electrical appliances. They usually just rinse them out.
The Inspection: Open the lid. Is there scale buildup? Is there a weird smell? If yes, call the front desk for a replacement.
The "Purge" Boil: Even if it looks clean, fill it with water and boil it once. Pour that water down the sink. This kills most bacteria and clears out any dust that settled inside. Only then should you brew your actual tea or coffee.
These are high-wattage tools that can ruin your day if they malfunction.
The Iron: Hotel irons are often abused. Previous guests may have ironed synthetic fabrics on the "Cotton" setting, melting plastic onto the metal plate. When you use it, that black sludge transfers to your clothes.
The Hack: Always "test drive" the iron on a hotel towel first. Steam it out to clear any rusty water from the vents, and wipe the plate on the towel to ensure no residue comes off.
The Hairdryer: Microbiologists often cite the hairdryer handle as one of the germiest spots in a hotel room. Why? because it’s almost never disinfected.
The Fix: I wrap the handle in a small face towel or use a disinfectant wipe before touching it. It sounds paranoid, but it’s a high-contact surface that sits in a dark drawer for months.
This is where hotel electrical appliances can actually become dangerous. If you are traveling from the US (110V) to Europe or Asia (220V-240V), you need to be hyper-aware of what you plug in.
Most hotel bathrooms have a "shaver socket" that says 110V/220V. Do not trust this for high-power devices. It is designed for low-wattage electric razors. If you plug a high-wattage US hairdryer or hair straightener into a European outlet (even with an adapter), you will likely fry your device and possibly trip the circuit breaker for the whole room.
Always check the label on your device. If it says "Input: 100-240V," you are safe. If it says "110V only," leave it at home or use a heavy-duty voltage converter (not just a plug adapter).
In many modern eco-friendly hotels, the power to all hotel electrical appliances is controlled by the key card slot by the door.
The Problem: You want to charge your laptop or camera batteries while you are out at dinner. You take your key card, leave the room, and... the power cuts. You come back to dead batteries.
The Solution: Ask reception for a second key card at check-in. Leave one in the slot permanently to keep the outlets (and the AC) running. If they refuse, any card of the same size (business card, library card) will usually trigger the mechanical switch.
Modern hotel electrical appliances are getting smarter. You can now cast your phone to the TV or log into your own Netflix account.
The Risk: Most hotel TVs are supposed to "wipe" your data upon checkout, but systems fail. I have walked into rooms and found the previous guest's YouTube and Netflix accounts still logged in.
The Rule: If you log in, set a reminder on your phone to log out before you check out. Don't rely on the hotel's system to protect your digital privacy.
I love a well-equipped hotel room. A Nespresso machine and a high-quality steamer can make a business trip so much easier. But we have to treat hotel electrical appliances with a bit of skepticism. They are communal tools used by hundreds of strangers.
Check them, clean them, and test them before you trust them with your expensive clothes or your stomach!
What is the weirdest or most broken appliance you’ve ever found in a hotel room? Let me know below!