These days, there are a lot of things to consider when packing for a trip, like what can and can't go in a carry-on or how many pairs of underwear to bring. However, the luggage worries don't end once you've packed everything, as there are plenty of things to consider when you arrive at your hotel, including where you can safely place your luggage to keep it clean, dry, and free of pests, like those pesky bed bugs. While you probably already know not to put your luggage directly on the bed when you check into a new room, it turns out you should also think twice before putting it on the floor.
“I personally always use the luggage rack to unpack my bags and then put them in the closet,” says LaDell Carter, founder and principal travel advisor at Royal Express Travelsshared with Travel + Leisure“Professionally, I advise against leaving your luggage on the floor because of the risk of unwanted animals. For example, when traveling by plane JamaicaI once left my luggage on the floor for a short time. When I got home, I discovered that I had inadvertently brought back some small lizards that had crawled into my suitcase.
Avoid leaving your luggage on the hotel room floor for these reasons
And Carter is far from alone in this practice.
“Having traveled to 45 countries and lived on 4 continents, I’ve seen it all: the good, the bad, and the downright unsanitary,” wellness travel expert Kelli Tollidaywho is also the founder of Rising Nature Retreats, added: “Bed bugs are notorious travelers, and can easily sneak into your luggage, clothing and belongings, and then find their way back into your home. Once established, bed bugs can be incredibly difficult and expensive to eradicate, making them a real headache for travelers.”
Bedbugs may be the main reason Tolliday doesn't leave his luggage on the floor, but they're not his only reason.
“Despite regular cleaning, hotel room floors can still harbor dirt, bacteria, and other impurities, especially in carpeted hotel rooms. Floors are exposed to previous guests’ shoes, spills, and cleaning products,” Tolliday said. Beyond the grossness factor, Tolliday also noted that leaving your luggage on the floor can create an organizational nightmare, echoing Carter’s suggestion to store your clothes in the closet — or at the very least place your luggage on a hard surface to reduce the risk of picking up potential bed bugs.
Tolliday added that traveling “should be a time of enjoyment and discovery, without the worry of pests, dirt and damage to your belongings. By simply keeping your luggage off the floor of your hotel room, you can enhance your travel experience, ensuring your belongings remain safe, clean and organized.”
Of course, you could always leave your luggage in the bathtuba favorite place for experts who know about bed bug protection.
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This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
(Photo credit: Jupiterimages/Getty Images)
Related: Bed Bug Prevention Tips Before, During, and After Travel
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Written by
Stacey Leasca
