Influencer Tara Woodcox faces backlash for washing underwear in hotel coffee maker: 'This has to be a joke'
Influencer Tara Woodcox is facing backlash online after revealing she washes her undergarments in hotel coffee maker while travelling.
A travel influencer has sparked widespread outrage online after revealing that she uses hotel room coffee makers to wash her undergarments. Tara Woodcox, who has nearly 400,000 Instagram followers, shared the unconventional travel tip in a now-viral video. She described it as a clever solution for moments when travellers run out of clean underwear and have no access to laundry facilities.

In the video, Woodcox explained that she placed her undergarments in the compartment where coffee grounds are typically added, shut the lid, and pressed the brew button, allowing boiling water to run through the garments.
“Say you’re travelling and you didn’t pack enough underwear and you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, what am I going to wear tomorrow?’ Every room has a coffee pot thing in it. All you have to do is put your underwear where you put the coffee grounds, you close it, you press brew and it puts scorching hot water through it,” she said in the video.
The influencer added that she learned the hack years ago from a friend who worked as a flight attendant. “I did not realise how many people already knew this hack. I learned it years ago from a friend that was a flight attendant and it’s brilliant,” she noted.
(Also Read: Influencer earned over ₹30 crore from courses on how to attract men, now under probe)
How did social media react?
However, what Woodcox described as “brilliant” quickly triggered backlash online, with many users expressing horror at the idea of hotel coffee machines being used for washing intimate garments.
“Not brilliant. Let’s bring back having consideration for others! Make that cool again….” one user commented.
Another wrote, “I’m shocked this video hasn’t been deleted. This surely has to be evidence for hotels to take action. This is so unsettling. I’m so concerned for anyone who has caught anything from you or anyone listening to this advice. It’s not ok.”
Several commenters also said the video had permanently changed their habits while travelling. “I’ll never use a hotel room coffee maker again,” one person said.
Others questioned why the influencer did not simply wash the garments in a sink using soap and hot water. “Why not wash them in the sink with hot water and soap and dry them with the dryer? This has to be a joke right?” another user wrote.
ABOUT THE AUTHORBhavya SukhejaBhavya Sukheja is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 6 years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in covering stories that reflect everyday human experiences, with a focus on viral videos, social media trends, and human-interest features that inform readers while sparking meaningful conversations. She loves chasing page views and finding stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings. Known for her strong news sense, Bhavya has a keen ability to spot emerging trends and craft angles that transform viral moments into impactful narratives. Her coverage spans pop culture, entertainment, global affairs, and the internet’s most talked-about topics, helping readers better understand the context behind what is trending online. Before joining Hindustan Times, Bhavya worked with Republic World and NDTV, where she developed her skills in real-time reporting and digital storytelling. Working in fast-paced newsrooms helped her build an editorial approach that prioritises accuracy, clarity, and audience engagement. Bhavya is driven by a curiosity about how people communicate and connect in the digital age. She is particularly interested in stories that highlight cultural shifts, shared emotions, and the evolving nature of online conversations. When she is not tracking trends or producing stories, Bhavya enjoys unplugging and spending time with her cat.Read More

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