The Surprising Hotel Items You Can Actually Take Home Guilt-Free
When you’re packing up to leave a hotel, not everything has to stay behind. Sure, the robe and Bluetooth speaker are off-limits, but plenty of smaller items are actually meant for guests to keep. They’re built into the cost of your stay and restocked for the next traveler. Here’s what you can take home without worrying about surprise charges or awkward calls from the front desk.
Pens and Notepads
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Hotels expect you to pocket the pen and notepad. They’re cheap to replace and double as advertising once you take them home. Every time you use that logoed pen, the hotel gets a little free promotion.
Slippers
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Folded slippers near the bed are never washed or recycled between guests. They’re considered single-use, like a complimentary coffee pod, and budgeted into your stay. Many people reuse them on long flights or in locker rooms. Leaving them behind just means the hotel throws them anyway.
Mini Toiletries
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The shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion stocked in your bathroom get tossed once opened. Hotels factor that into the cost of the room, so there’s no need to hesitate. Many travelers collect them for emergency kits or gym bags.
Tea, Coffee, and Sugar Packets
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The tea, coffee, and sugar packets in your room are fine to take home. They’re replaced for every new guest and included in what you’ve already paid for. Feel free to grab a few extras, but the coffee maker stays put.
Sewing Kits
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They’re one of the least reused items in a room. Once they’re placed there, staff can’t restock them for another guest. They’re a lifesaver when a zipper gives out mid-trip, and they’re small enough to disappear into your wallet or glove compartment afterward.
Disposable Razors and Combs
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Most hotels offer disposable versions on request when you forget a razor or comb. These aren’t luxury items, but they’re entirely free and yours to keep. Just ask the front desk or housekeeping. They’re part of guest services, so you won’t see them back on the cart tomorrow.
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
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Hotels expect people to forget toothbrushes. It happens all the time. That’s why most front desks keep a stash of travel-size dental kits. These are packaged to be taken, not returned, and usually come with enough toothpaste for a weekend.
Bar Soap
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That little wrapped bar next to the sink is a classic. Once opened, it’s discarded after checkout, so even if you’ve only used it once, go ahead and pack it. Some people use them as drawer fresheners at home or toss them into luggage.
Bottled Water (If Labeled Free)
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Hotels often leave a water bottle or two in the room, but check the tag. If it says “complimentary,” it’s yours. If it has a price or sits near the minibar, it probably isn’t. Some chains print “free” right on the label to avoid confusion.
Vanity Kits
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Tiny packets with cotton pads or nail files show up in some hotel bathrooms. These pre-packaged vanity kits are free for the taking. Like the sewing kits, they aren’t reused, and housekeeping restocks them between stays. They’re not always visible, so if you don’t see one but need it, ask.
Newspapers
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That newspaper outside your door or stacked by the elevator is part of your stay. Hotels order them in bulk to encourage reading over breakfast. If you don’t finish it before checkout, take it along for the train or plane.
Postcards
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Some hotels place branded postcards with the room’s stationery. These are meant for guests who want to send a quick note or save a keepsake. There’s no expectation to leave them behind. They’re small enough to slip into a book or wallet until you’re back home.
Shower Caps
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Though not every traveler uses them, shower caps are another item that gets tossed after use. They’re individually wrapped and considered single-use, so taking one home doesn’t cost the hotel anything extra. Some people repurpose them to wrap shoes or toiletries when packing, which keeps things tidy in a suitcase.
Disposable Cups and Plates
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Paper cups near the bathroom sink or microwave? Plastic-wrapped forks or plates by the coffee maker? These are provided for convenience and aren’t expected to be reused. You can take them with you. They’re perfect for car rides or picnic stops when traveling.
Hand Sanitizer Packets
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Since 2020, many hotels have added individual hand sanitizer packets or travel bottles to rooms. When they’re sealed and waiting for you on the desk or nightstand, they’re yours to keep. They usually get replaced with every new guest, and staff expect them to be taken, not reused or returned.
Mouthwash
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Travel-size mouthwash isn’t always stocked automatically, but many hotels offer it by request. These bottles, once distributed, are not restocked into another guest room. They’re ideal for short trips or airplane carry-ons and are considered part of the hotel’s complimentary toiletry supply.
Vanity Shoe Mitts
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Those thin white mitts by the shoehorn aren’t spare towels. They’re disposable cloths meant for quick shoe touch-ups. Hotels don’t reuse them, so it’s fine to toss one in your bag before you leave.
Cotton Swabs and Pads
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Many vanity kits come with cotton pads or Q-tips sealed for hygiene. Once they’re set out, hotels don’t reuse them, so it’s fine to take them. They’re useful for quick fixes, whether it’s cleaning a phone port or touching up makeup on the go.
Shaving Cream Packets
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Ask for shaving cream at the front desk, and you’ll get a travel-size pack you don’t have to return. Hotels buy them in bulk, knowing most will leave with guests. They’re useful in gym lockers or overnight kits and can save you a last-minute store run before your next trip.
Toilet Seat Covers
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Some hotel bathrooms stock disposable toilet seat covers in neat cardboard boxes. They’re replaced after every guest, so leaving them behind means they’re tossed. Take a few for road trips or public restrooms. They’re hardly glamorous, but they’re one of those quiet perks hiding in plain sight.