When you check into a hotel, experts recommend putting your suitcase in the bathtub, not on the bed or luggage rack. This advice may seem strange, but it’s due to creepy-crawly bugs that can be found on surfaces like beds. The bathtub is considered a safer spot to avoid these pests while you settle in.

Why should you put your luggage in the bathtub?

We’ve got one word for you: bedbugs. Bedbugs are notorious for hitching a ride to your next destination (like your house!) on your clothes and even your bags. If you put your luggage in the bathtub of your hotel room instead of on the bed, you will ensure that those pesky pests stay far away from your personal belongings while you take the time to inspect your room.

Entomologist Katelyn Kesheimer, PhD, advises keeping luggage in the bathroom while checking for bedbugs, especially in hotel rooms. After confirming the room is clear of them, she moves her luggage into the main area but avoids placing it on the bed. Travel expert Marla Cimini also emphasizes that bedbug problems are common across hotels, from luxury to budget, with Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia ranked as the top U.S. cities for bedbug infestations, according to a 2024 Orkin study.

Why is the bathroom a safe place for luggage?