Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, has laid out all of the many reasons why she refuses to use complimentary toiletries when she is staying in hotels
A hotel insider has explained why she never used complimentary toiletries when travelling.
While hotel toiletries might seem like a convenient perk, Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, warns that what’s inside those bottles isn’t always what it appears to be. “Travellers often assume hotel toiletries are safe and fresh, but the reality can be quite different,” she explained.
Dawn says that when it comes to hotel amenities, it pays to be cautious. One of the biggest concerns is bottles that have been tampered with or refilled with cheaper alternatives.
“I’ve heard from travellers who’ve found bottles with broken seals or products that smell completely different from what the label suggests. Some hotels cut costs by refilling branded bottles with generic products, or worse, bottles that haven’t been properly cleaned between uses,” Dawn said.
The practice of refilling luxury-branded bottles with cheaper alternatives is more common than many travellers realise, particularly in budget accommodations looking to present an upscale image. Dawn claims that some hotels reuse containers without adequate cleaning. Dawn has encountered reports of bottles containing residue from previous guests’ use.
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“You might think you’re getting fresh product, but some hotels simply top up bottles rather than replacing them entirely. This creates a hygiene nightmare,” she added.
Hotels sometimes prioritise appearance over actual product quality, focusing on making the product look expensive and luxurious. “In some cases, the actual product will separate or change consistency, suggesting it’s been sitting there far longer than it should have,” Dawn said.
Dawn shares the red flags that should make you avoid hotel toiletries entirely:
1. Broken or missing seals: Check pump dispensers and bottle caps for signs of tampering. “If the seal looks damaged or there’s residue around the cap, don’t use it,” Dawn advises.
2. Unusual consistency or colour: Products that appear watery, lumpy, or discoloured are major warning signs. “Shampoo shouldn’t look like water, and lotion shouldn’t have chunks floating in it,” she says.
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3. Strange smells: “Trust your nose. If something smells off, chemical-like, or completely different from what you’d expect, step away.”
4. Sticky or grimy bottle exteriors: “Clean hotels maintain clean toiletry containers. If the outside of the bottle feels sticky or looks grimy, imagine what’s inside,” Dawn warns.
5. Generic or handwritten labels: Professionally branded products should have proper labelling. Handwritten labels or generic stickers are immediate red flags.
Dawn added: The safest approach is always to bring your own toiletries. Personal care products are exactly that – personal. Your skin and hair are used to specific formulations, so switching to unknown products can cause reactions even when they’re legitimate. But beyond that, you have complete control over quality and hygiene when you pack your own.
“I know the concern is always luggage weight, but there are smart ways around this. Invest in a set of travel-sized containers that meet airline regulations – usually 100ml or less. Decant your regular products into these before you travel.
“Alternatively, a lot of brands now offer travel miniatures of their full-size products. You can also look for solid alternatives like shampoo bars, which don’t count toward your liquid allowance and often last longer than you’d expect. The peace of mind is worth the small extra effort in packing.”