The Disgusting Truth About Your Hotel Room Coffee Machine
You might not think twice about the coffee maker sitting beside the hotel TV. It’s there for convenience: a quick way to start the morning before a meeting or flight. But if you’ve ever wondered how clean it actually is, the answer isn’t comforting. What’s inside those small machines often tells a different story than the one the neatly wrapped pods suggest.
What’s Really Inside That Coffee Maker
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Hotel coffee machines aren’t always the fresh start to your morning they appear to be. Studies have found that these devices can harbor all kinds of bacteria and mold because the warm, damp interior makes the perfect breeding ground.
A 2011 study by NSF International found that coffee maker reservoirs contained more coliform bacteria, the same family that includes E. coli, than household toilet seats. A few years later, a University of Valencia study tested nine Nespresso machines used for at least a year and discovered 35 to 67 types of bacteria inside each one. That’s not exactly the flavor you want in your espresso.
The real issue isn’t just what’s growing inside; it’s how little these machines are actually cleaned. Housekeeping staff usually wipe the exterior but rarely touch the internal reservoir or tubing, where buildup collects. Infection control experts say coffee makers should be deep-cleaned with vinegar every few months to prevent mold. In most hotels, that level of maintenance just doesn’t happen between guests.
When Guests Make It Worse
If bacteria and mold weren’t enough, guest misuse often takes things to another level. Former hotel managers and flight attendants have shared stomach-turning stories online about people using in-room coffee pots for things other than coffee.
Some have allegedly used them to wash pantyhose or even underwear. Others pour milk into the water reservoir instead of water, which spoils quickly and leaves behind sour residue that clogs the system. Even if those tales border on urban legend, they’ve been shared so widely that it’s hard to unsee the image once you’ve heard it.
To make matters worse, germs can travel between rooms. Microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba’s virus tracer studies found that cleaning staff often spread contaminants from one room to another without realizing it. So even if you’re a model guest, the person who stayed before you might not have been.
Better Ways To Get Your Morning Coffee
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You don’t have to give up coffee while traveling. You just need to change your strategy. The safest move is to grab a cup from the hotel’s lobby café or breakfast bar, where equipment is cleaned regularly and turnover is high. Room service is another good option since commercial kitchen machines are held to stricter hygiene standards.
If you prefer to keep things simple, pack a small electric kettle and some instant coffee packets. There are collapsible travel kettles available online that fit easily in a suitcase and heat water fast. Just use bottled water and your own cup, and you’ll start the day with a caffeine fix that doesn’t come with a side of microbes.