Why Some Hotel Guests Store Their Luggage in the Bathtub
Why Some Travelers Put Their Suitcase in the Bathtub
When you first walk into a hotel room, the usual spots for placing your luggage seem obvious: the luggage rack, an empty chair, or maybe a corner of the closet floor. But experienced travelers sometimes do something that, at first glance, seems completely out of place—they put their suitcase inside the bathtub.
It may look odd, even unnecessary. But this small, unconventional habit is actually a well-thought-out move rooted in cleanliness, caution, and peace of mind.
🐛 The Real Reason: Avoiding Bed Bugs
The main motivation? Protection from bed bugs.
These tiny pests are infamously hard to detect and even harder to get rid of once they hitch a ride home in your belongings. Bed bugs love to hide in hotel mattresses, furniture, curtains, and carpets. Unfortunately, even a high-end, spotless-looking hotel can unknowingly harbor them.
Here’s why this matters:
- Bed bugs don’t care about the star rating. Five-star hotels are just as vulnerable as budget motels because infestations often come from guests unknowingly bringing bugs in.
- Your suitcase is a prime target. Soft-sided luggage left on the floor or near the bed offers the perfect warm, fabric-lined hideout for these pests.
- Bathtubs are a natural deterrent. With their hard, slick surfaces—usually porcelain or fiberglass—bathtubs give bed bugs nowhere to hide and no way to climb. If one tries, it’ll be easy to spot against the light-colored surface.
That’s why many seasoned travelers place their suitcase in the tub as soon as they enter the room. While their bag rests in the safest spot, they’ll take a flashlight and do a quick inspection of the bed, mattress seams, and headboard for any telltale signs of bugs.
💧 Another Smart Benefit: Protection from Water Damage
It’s not just pests that travelers are worried about—water damage is another reason to consider unconventional luggage storage.
While most hotel rooms seem clean and dry, unexpected leaks or spills can cause serious problems for your belongings. Think:
- An air conditioning unit leaking near the window.
- A malfunctioning fire sprinkler.
- Overflow from a tub or sink in the room above yours.
- Rainwater sneaking in through a poorly sealed window.
If your suitcase is sitting on the carpet when any of this happens, your clothes, electronics, and paperwork could be ruined. But inside the bathtub—a space built to handle water—your luggage is safe from surprise leaks or floods.
🧼 When Cleanliness Matters
For travelers with a sharp focus on hygiene, placing a suitcase in the bathtub offers extra reassurance.
Hotel carpets, chairs, and luggage racks aren’t always sanitized thoroughly between guests. But the bathtub? That’s one of the few surfaces that housekeeping almost always disinfects every day. If you’re wary of putting your bag on something that might be harboring dust, dirt, or worse, the tub can feel like the most hygienic option in the room.
🧠 A Mental Boost: Routine and Reassurance
Beyond bugs and water, there’s a psychological comfort in this small ritual.
Travel—especially frequent or solo travel—can be unsettling. You’re away from your routine, your space, and your comforts. Simple actions, like placing your bag in the tub, can offer a sense of control and routine. It’s a little step that says, I’ve done my part to make this space safer. Even if the risks are low, the peace of mind is real.
🧳 What Travel Experts Recommend
For those who want to stay one step ahead of unwanted surprises, here’s a quick checklist inspired by pest control professionals:
- Inspect before unpacking. Always check the bed, mattress seams, and headboard for tiny black dots (bed bug waste) or reddish stains (crushed bugs).
- Use luggage racks properly. If available, use the metal rack—but pull it away from walls and furniture to minimize risk.
- Consider protective bags. Packing cubes and plastic liners add an extra barrier against pests getting into your clothes.
- Seal your stuff. Zip-top bags and vacuum-sealed pouches are great for keeping clean clothes secure.
And yes—placing your luggage in the bathtub during that first room check? Still one of the safest temporary options, especially while you scout the room.
🧠 Not Weird—Just Smart
What might look like a strange or excessive habit is actually a thoughtful, preventive strategy. Travelers who put their suitcase in the tub aren’t being paranoid—they’re being proactive.
They’re avoiding pests, preventing water damage, and minimizing exposure to germs.
So next time you check into a hotel and see someone’s suitcase in the bathtub, don’t laugh or look twice. They’re not being quirky—they’re just playing it safe.
