Originally published on August 27th, 2025

Picture this: You’re finally checking out of that hotel after your first kid-free weekend in months. You’ve got your suitcase packed, your phone charger (hopefully), and you’re doing that last-minute sweep of the bathroom. There they are – those tiny toiletry bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, just sitting there looking all innocent and travel-sized.

Do you take them or leave them?

If you’re like most of us busy moms, you probably grab them without a second thought. After all, they’re practically begging to come home and live in your guest bathroom, right? Well, turns out this little hotel habit reveals more about Americans than you might think.

The Great Hotel Toiletry Divide

A recent YouGov survey asked 1,000 Americans about their hotel toiletry habits, and the results might surprise you. Here’s what they found:

The “Never Takers” (32%): One in three Americans say they NEVER take hotel toiletries home. Not even the good stuff from fancy hotels. These are probably the same people who fold their fitted sheets perfectly and never have mystery Tupperware in their fridges.

The “Sometimes Takers” (42%): The majority of us fall into this category – we’ll snag those mini bottles when the mood strikes or when we remember they exist as we’re rushing out the door.

The “Always Takers” (16%): One in six Americans are committed collectors. These folks have turned hotel toiletry acquisition into an art form. Their bathroom cabinets probably look like a CVS travel section.

The “I Don’t Travel Enough” Group (10%): These lucky (or unlucky?) folks don’t stay in hotels often enough to have developed strong opinions about tiny shampoo bottles.

Ladies, We’re Leading the Charge

Here’s where it gets interesting for us Froggy listeners: Women are twice as likely as men to always take hotel toiletries home. The survey found that 21% of women are “always takers” compared to just 11% of men.

Why? Maybe it’s because we’re the ones usually packing for family trips and thinking, “These could be perfect for the kids’ summer camp!” Or perhaps we’re just more practical about not wasting perfectly good products. After all, when you’re juggling work, kids, and everything else, free toiletries feel like a tiny victory.

The Mom Logic Behind the Madness

Let’s be real – there are some genuinely good reasons why busy parents (especially moms) tend to be toiletry collectors:

Emergency Stash: Those mini bottles are perfect for the gym bag, the car, or that inevitable moment when you’re out of shampoo at 10 PM and all the stores are closed.

Travel Prep: They’re ideal for school trips, sleepovers, or when you’re packing light for a weekend getaway.

Guest Supplies: Your guest bathroom probably appreciates having those fancy hotel amenities for visitors.

Kid Activities: Summer camp, school trips, sports tournaments – kids always need toiletries, and these are perfectly sized.

The Great Debate: Is It Actually Okay?

Before you start questioning your toiletry-taking habits, rest assured – hotels expect this! Those amenities are included in your room rate, and most hotels replace them daily whether you use them or not. You’re not stealing; you’re just being resourceful.

That said, maybe draw the line at towels and bathrobes. That’s when you cross from “practical mom” into “needs an intervention” territory.

What Team Are You On?

So, Froggy family, where do you fall in the great hotel toiletry debate? Are you a proud member of the “always takers” club, or do you leave those mini bottles for housekeeping?

Drop us a line on our Facebook page or call in during our morning show – we’d love to hear your hotel horror stories, toiletry triumphs, or that time you accidentally packed the hotel’s blow dryer (we won’t judge… much).

And hey, if you’re part of that 32% who never takes hotel toiletries, we admire your restraint. But also, you might want to reconsider – your future self will thank you the next time you’re rushing out the door for a work trip and need travel-sized everything.

The bottom line? Whether you’re a taker or a leaver, you’re in good company. Just remember to check under the bed for socks before you leave – nobody wants to explain why they accidentally took the hotel’s terry cloth slippers home.

---

What’s your hotel toiletry strategy? Share your thoughts with the Froggy 102.7 morning crew!

Source: YouGov Survey on Hotel Toiletry Habits, August 2025

---

Love content like this? Make sure you’re tuned into Froggy 102.7 for more fun discussions that matter to real life. We’re here for busy parents who need a little entertainment with their morning coffee!