Ultra disgusting: Influencer slammed for washing underwear in hotel coffee maker

A viral video has placed fitness and travel influencer Tara Woodcox at the centre of an online storm after she suggested travellers could rinse underwear in hotel coffee machines. The clip, originally posted in late 2025, began circulating again across TikTok and Instagram in recent days, quickly attracting millions of views and a wave of criticism.

For many, the idea of using an appliance meant for beverages to clean clothing crossed an obvious boundary of common courtesy in public spaces.

In the video, Woodcox framed the suggestion as a practical solution for travellers who run out of clean 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?'" she said.

She then demonstrated how the in-room coffee maker could be used. "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 explained, adding that the bathroom hairdryer could be used to finish the job.

Woodcox described the idea as "one of the coolest tricks ever" and said she learnt it from a flight attendant friend. As the video spread, online posts began claiming that a hotel chain had filed a $1 million lawsuit against Woodcox over the coffee-maker stunt. However, there is no confirmed legal filing or official statement supporting those claims.

A TIP THAT SPARKED DISGUST

For many viewers, however, the suggestion was less clever than absurd. Comments poured in across platforms expressing concern about hygiene and respect for shared hotel equipment. "Not brilliant. Let’s bring back having consideration for others," one user wrote.

Another said, "So they have never heard of the sink, the bathtub, or the washing machine that most hotels have available? Ultra disgusting and base behaviour. Nothing like setting up a cholera outbreak."

INFLUENCER CALLS IT A JOKE

As the backlash grew, Woodcox responded on Instagram on 23 February, saying she had never actually carried out the hack. "I’ve never actually done that — but this is really funny, you guys," she said, laughing.

"It was more of something that I posted to be like why not to use the coffee pot," she added, saying she personally avoids them because she believes they are not cleaned thoroughly.

The debate intensified when users shared an older 2023 video in which Woodcox said she would "never" use a hotel coffee maker after hearing that people sometimes washed underwear in them.

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