Why You Should Think Twice Before Using Those Tiny Shampoo Bottles
As someone who has worked in hotels for years, there’s one thing I wish guests knew—something we’re not exactly encouraged to say out loud. Those little complimentary bottles of shampoo and conditioner you find neatly arranged in your hotel bathroom?
Please don’t automatically assume they’re brand new.
When I first started in housekeeping, I thought every toiletry was replaced for each guest. Fresh room, fresh amenities—simple. But during training, I learned the real policy: If a bottle looks unused—meaning the seal isn’t broken and the liquid level appears full—we leave it for the next guest.
It sounded harmless at first. But the truth is… appearances can be misleading.
Guests sometimes open something, decide not to use it, or accidentally break the seal without realizing. And just like that, something that looks “untouched” becomes the next guest’s responsibility to trust.
