You sound like my old sociology professor. lol

I will never forget when he told the class that they often don't wash comforters in hotels for a month or more. My family stayed in one hotel where there was used dental floss hanging from the towel bar, "crispy" sheets, mud prints on the floor, etc. We made them give us our money back and stayed in a different hotel.

It's disgusting to think that health and safety is treated so casually. And then the MANAGERS and OWNERS of these places don't even have a comment? I won't be staying in any of those hotels again. However, I have been impressed with the Holiday Inn, so I will probably stay there. From now on, though, I am cleaning the ENTIRE room before I stay there.

Some people might think that's a little overboard, but I have children, a husband, and my own health to think about. I'm not going to place that in the hands of someone I don't know, who obviously doesn't care.

Hmmm....that's kind of what it sounds like when I explain to people why I don't go to the doctor. :0)

Beyond Organic,

I love your sense of humor! Very funny. I was laughing out loud while reading your post.

Health Man,

Same here.  Americans are much to germ conscious compared to others around the world, but aren't too woried about "frankenfoods", as long as they look good.

I thought you weren't going to mention any :)

The bedspread is usually not washed very often so fold up the bedspread and set it aside.   Reports have shown the bedspread to be dangerously filthy.

Ew, that's disgusting!!

Any suggestions on how to be a little safer on planes, Russ? Got some very long-haul flights coming up. All I've found so far is that a bit of tea tree oil or similar under the nose can be helpful, and good old hand sanitiser - not something I'd normally use but I think in this instance it'll probably be helpful!

Dizzy-

I wear a surgical mask on planes now, like the Japanese do, through courtesy and close quarters, when they may have a cold, or may want to prevent one. 

You can purchase medical masks at any large medical supply on line store, or even old fashion brick and mortar locations (more costly).  Maybe Doc Mercola has a suggestion?

Secondly, on airplanes, I bring hydrogen peroxide towelettes to wipe down any chair surface (particularly on long flights).

Thirdly, if all possible, I use a clean bathroom prior to getting to an airport, or getting on a plane, and avoid the most microbe, virus laden and bacteria filled environment in the universe, the aircraft public bathroom!  

These airplane bathrooms onboard are like the boubonic plague waiting to happen (which no doubt is in there also, along with e-bola, typhoid, malaria, yellow fever, polio, berri-berri, and the Lock Ness Monster,  and a phony assurance sign, that the place has: "been sanitized for your protection"...yeah, right, and I have some "safe" FDA approved drugs to sell you...

I'm NOT saying you have to be as paranoid as Howard Hughes was, aircraft pioneer, when it comes to cleanliness...but on the other hand...wear gloves also.

Uncle Russ

I regularly travel from Australia to the UK and back and like Russ's suggestions - I use gloves when I go to the bathroom.  I take a box of disposable gloves with me and use a fresh pair each time.  I also take a box of disposable alcohol wipes (at least 70% isopropyl alcohol which kills viruses too).  I use the alcohol wipes on everything including the toilet seat - just in case any part of me makes contact with it.  Other things I wipe down include the head and arm rests, TV controls and seat recline controls.

My boyfriend thinks I have obsessive compulsive disorder when I fly but he gets sick everytime we do the flight and these days I never do!!

The first time I flew long distance (only 2 years ago) I was DISGUSTED at the state of the toilets.  There was urine swishing about on the floor when I opened the door. I actually stopped drinking water so I wouldn't need to use it - not so good on a 24 hour flight but I figured that so many people go whole days without drinking water that I'd survive 24 hours.  It was after this flight that I started packing the gloves and alcohol wipes to travel with.

Cheers,

Sarah

Russ said, "Secondly, on airplanes, I bring hydrogen peroxide towelettes to wipe down any chair surface (particularly on long flights)."  

While that will kill the staph bacteria, strep bacteria contain an enzyme that enables them to convert peroxide to water.  Lysol disinfectant wipes may be your best bet there, as they also don't contain bleach, which can really mess up your clothes.

It's not the employee's fault (I don't think), but the management's. When you hire new people, you teach them what to do. You do regular checkups on how things are being cleaned. If you don't teach them the right thing, chances are you end up watching a videoclip like this. I know this from personal experience just by trying to find a halfways decent cleaner for my house. The more established ones (especially American white) get downright offended if you try to explain to them how you want things cleaned. The you fire them because they are way below your standard. And you start again.  Or do it yourself.  But if you do, you'll spend a lot of time on cleaning instead playing with your kids.  Which made us want to find a good cleaner in the first place...