Hotels harbour some dirty secrets that clean-obsessed guests may not be able to handle.

Unwashed glasses to bacteria-ridden coffee machines, many items in the room haven’t escaped the gross activities of former guests.

Despite this, there is a way to avoid the dirt as much as possible.

Guests wanting to remain as hygienic as possible should take these three things with them.

One thing travellers can take with them is a mattress protector.

Mattresses are one of the few things that can’t get cleaned in a room and may harbour all kinds of bacteria.

User Amanda Williams wrote on Quora: “Protection from allergens, dust mites, liquids and stains (things detrimental to your health) is what is most important. 

“So check your bed for a waterproof mattress pad. You may want to bring one with you wherever you go.”

Another item can check if the water is safe to drink in some countries where it may be more dangerous.

Pieter D Rossouw wrote on the travel forum: “Take a little chlorine checker along.

“With this, you can check if the water chlorination is above 0.2ppm Free Chlorine.

“If it is at this level you can be reassured that the bathroom is reasonably sterile as the evaporation of the final rinse water would have increased the Chlorine level in the remaining dampness and this would have largely sterilized the surfaces.”

This can ensure that the water from the taps is safer to consume.

Whilst extreme, some suggest even taking a blacklight into the room.

It will show up all of the body fluids in the room, including sweat and urine.

This can then show if certain areas of the room have been cleaned or left behind.

If it is particularly ridden with glowing fluids then guests can ask to change rooms immediately.