Why Some Hotels In Europe Remove Bathroom Sink Stoppers

From unusual details in the shower to the strange way double beds are typically set up, European hotels have plenty of unusual quirks that tend to confuse U.S. travelers — and for good reason. After all, traveling to a new country is already enough of a challenge for some people. Throw in a different hotel setup — or a completely foreign system — and you're bound to surprise even more unsuspecting guests who weren't prepared to navigate the sudden changes.

However, out of all the things that tourists tend to get thrown off by when staying at hotels in Europe, one of them seems to get the most attention: the widespread lack of sink stoppers. Nonetheless, it turns out that this seemingly odd omission isn't just a lack of care or oversight — it's actually done very much on purpose. Why? Simple: to prevent guests from trying to do a whole load of laundry in the hotel room sink.

Despite even the best planning, the truth is that there aren't that many practical ways to do laundry while traveling. Whether you're not staying somewhere for long enough, you can't find a laundromat nearby that will work with your schedule, or you just don't want to spend an inordinate amount of money getting things washed at the hotel, cleaning your clothes while on the road typically requires a little more creativity than convenience.

And that's precisely when using the hotel room sink starts to look so tempting. A quick push of the stopper here, a touch of laundry detergent there ... and you've got yourself the perfect tub to soak all those dirty socks and underwear that were crying out for some TLC.

Unfortunately for some travelers in Europe, the lack of stoppers means that this bright idea is nothing more than a hopeful fantasy. After all, hotels getting rid of the sink stopper prevents guests from filling it up and soaking their clothes — and potentially clogging drains or causing water damage. And while it might seem like a small inconvenience at first, it's a clever solution that ultimately saves both guests and hotels from potential sink-related disasters.

Luckily, a lack of sink stoppers doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be forced to keep wearing dirty clothes until you finally manage to do some real laundry. Because although it might complicate things, there's nothing that a little thinking ahead can't overcome. First, travel expert and writer Rick Steves recommends that travelers pack an unexpected item on their European trip: their own sink stopper! For example, this two-piece Vaincre Bathroom Drain Stopper won't take up much room in your bag, and it'll be incredibly handy if you're ever stuck without a stopper in your bathroom.

Alternatively, if it's already too late to buy one, a quick and practical solution to your laundry woes is to use a large plastic bag. Simply fill it with warm water, add a few drops of soap — in some cases, hotel shower gel or shampoo might work just fine — and throw your clothes in. From there, you can tie a loose knot and knead your clothes together, or dig your hands directly into the bag and get scrubbing. Once you're done washing, just rinse your clothes thoroughly to get rid of any soap residue.

As for drying your clothes, the easiest way is to hang them off your shower curtain railing or shower door. Otherwise, you can also use the hotel hair dryer to speed things up, or even pack your own drying line. This Retractable Portable Clothesline, for example, comes with its own pouch and can be easily tied somewhere in your room to let your clothes air out.