Grim reason why you should always avoid one item in your hotel room

A hair expert has warned hotel guests to keep away from one particular item.

Jacqui McIntosh has recommended that all holidaymakers pack a hairdryer in their luggage this summer. The trichologist - a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of hair and scalp conditions - warns that the hair dryer lurking in your hotel room might be the grimiest item you use during your stay.

A study has revealed that hotel room hair dryers are often overlooked by cleaners, making them a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Jacqui, Bellissima hair ambassador and specialist in hair texture management, said: “Using a hairdryer riddled with bacteria and germs does pose health risks and can be detrimental to your hair health."

According to Jacqui, bacterial and fungal infections are a big risk related to hairdryers. "Let’s talk about the dirty truth of hair dryers left unclean. They become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. When these pesky microorganisms find their way onto your hair and scalp, they can spark infections and irritations, disrupting your hair follicles and slowing down healthy growth," she said.

"Dust, mould, and other unseen culprits lurking in neglected hair dryers aren’t just unhygienic—they’re troublemakers for your scalp. Brace yourself for irritation, dandruff, and a flurry of other hair woes such as dullness, frizz and even hair loss."

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It's more than just microscopic nasties that hairdryer wielding hotel guests need to look out for, according to Jacqui. She continued: "Blocked vents mean heat distribution goes haywire. Some parts of your hair get blasted with too much heat, leading to dryness, brittleness, and split ends.

"Neglected hair dryers are time bombs waiting to go off. Debris buildup inside the device spells overheating, increasing the risk of singeing your hair or scalp."

If you’re thinking of bringing your own hair dryer on holiday, Bellissima’s new B-Travel hair dryer is one option. It weighs 370g.

One of the most irksome aspects of hotel stays can be the room temperature controls, whether it's air conditioning or heating. Typically, you have to insert your room key into a wall device to activate the controls, and as soon as you remove your key to head out for the day, the system powers down - leaving you to return to a room that's either sweltering or freezing.

But what if there was a nifty trick to ensure your room is always at the ideal temperature? Shared on TikTokby Jord Bernard, this hack is something we can all try on our next hotel visit without shelling out any extra dosh - provided you have one essential item with you.

Jord revealed that if you have any other card handy, you can often slot it into the wall device to keep the electricity flowing - it doesn't have to be your room key. Any card could do the trick, but it's probably best not to use your bank card, so bring along a less crucial card like a library card, a store or supermarket points card, or a public transport travel card on your holiday.

In a video clip, Jord shared: "For anyone who doesn't already know, you can put any card in the slot in your hotel room, which means you can leave the AC on when you go to dinner and come back to a perfectly chilled room."