Whether you’re travelling to escape the cold winter for a sunny vacation, heading out for a tournament for your kids' sports team, or travelling for work, hotels can become a sort of temporary home. A supposedly comfortable place to rest when you are travel weary after a long day spent on a plane or the highway. However, there’s one unwelcome guest that is far too common in hotels: mold.
From stuffy and dusty smelling rooms to damp bathrooms, mold can hide in plain sight, turning your relaxing getaway or business trip into an uncomfortable and unhealthy experience. Understanding where mold can lurk in rooms, signs to watch out for, and what to do if you find mold during your stay can save you stress, money, and even your health.
It’s known that mold needs three things to thrive: moisture, warmth, and organic material (a food source). And unfortunately, many hotel environments check all three off the list. Here are the most common hotspots for mold growth in hotels that frequent travelers should be aware of:
From wet boots to spilt drinks, hotel carpets experience a lot of moisture, and they’re usually cleaned superficially between guests. If carpets haven’t been cleaned properly or if a previous guest flooded the bathroom, or spilled something on the floor, mold can start growing underneath it. Soft spots, rippling, or a damp smell when you walk across the floor can all be warning signs.
The ventilation in hotel bathrooms is often poor, meaning steam from showers lingers longer. Excess humidity can settle into grout lines, tile caulking, showers curtains, and even behind mirrors. Be on the lookout for discolouration on walls, musty smells, peeling paints, or dark spots around the tub or ceiling.
While it’s less common than in bathrooms, mold in bedding can occur if the room’s humidity is high or if the mattress has absorbed moisture over time. Mattresses in particular can harbour mold when they aren’t properly aired out or replaced regularly. Keep an eye out for musty odours and any visible stains or spotting.
Wallpaper can trap moisture behind it, especially in older hotels or rooms that have experienced any leaks or past water damage. Signs such as bubbling wallpaper, peeling edges, or discolouration can all point towards a deeper problem hidden behind the walls.
Those one-cup coffee makers that are often in hotel rooms can seem convenient when you need a nice warm cup of coffee or tea first thing in the morning, but they can also be mold magnets if not cleaned properly. If you see any residue, cloudiness in the water tank, or smell something off, skip the convenient coffee.
Hotel HVAC systems often run constantly, switching between heating and cooling depending on the season and each guest's preferences. Condensation inside the unit can build up, leading to mold growth that is spread directly into the room. Some things to look out for that could indicate mold growth is visible dust buildup on vents, an earthy or musty smell when the air turns on, and fluctuating room humidity.
Even if you can’t visibly see mold, your nose and body can help detect the presence of spores before your eyes do. When you enter your hotel room, ask yourself the following:
This distinct scent is one of the strongest indicators of mold growth. It can often smell earthy, stale, or even like cat urine.
Spots that are black, green, white or yellow, especially in clusters, are classic signs of mold growth on surfaces.
Persistent moisture that is found indoors is a sign of poor ventilation, increasing the likelihood of potential mold growth in your hotel room.
Symptoms can include:
Those with existing health conditions, such as asthma or mold allergies, will feel these symptoms strongly, however even those without mold allergies can be sensitive to mold.
A moldy room doesn’t have to ruin your whole trip. Here’s how to handle the situation effectively:
Take photos or videos of the mold, suspected location of growth, and anything else that seems suspicious. This can help support your case if you request a room change or refund.
Explain the situation in a clear and professional manner. Most hotels will be able to move you to another room, ideally one that is on a different floor, or on the other side of the hotel to avoid shared moisture and ventilation problems.
A quick cleaning or wipe-down of the affected area isn’t usually enough. Mold growth often comes from a deeper moisture issue that’s behind walls, beneath floors, or in ventilation units. Changing rooms is the safest choice.
If the mold issue is extensive, or if you feel particularly unwell, avoid spending any more time in the room, even if you think you can tough it out for one night. Prolonged exposure can worsen the previously listed symptoms.
If something feels off when you’re in the hotel room, even without visible signs of mold, chances are your gut feeling is right; your health is worth a new room request.
While you can’t control the maintenance routine at a hotel, you can take some steps to minimize your risk of exposure:
Unfortunately, yes. Hotels see a steady stream of various guests, fluctuating temperatures, and constant moisture usage, making them a prime environment for mold. During winter travel, the potential for mold grows even more. Guests often track in snow, wet clothing, and damp gear, creating even more opportunities for mold to grow.
Some hotels may be older, and not newly renovated, which can explain mold growth and also adds to the potential problem of asbestos. There also isn’t always the time for deep cleaning or much needed maintenance between guests, so issues can go unnoticed until they become a significant problem, or a mold sensitive guest reports about it.
Your travel experience should be filled with rest, adventure, and productivity, not musty smells, headaches, or unexpected mold exposure. By knowing where mold hides in hotels, the signs to look out for, and how to respond, you can protect your health and ensure your stay is comfortable and safe.
If you ever return home from a trip and suspect you have symptoms linked to mold exposure, or if you’re concerned about mold in your own home, the got mold?™ team is here to help. Travel safe this year, and know that we are here to help you breathe easier.
Fill up the form and our Team will get back to you within 24 hours.
Fill up the form and our Team will get back to you within 24 hours.
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