North Dakota hotel under investigation after worker caught washing sheets in hot tub

Health officials in North Dakota have launched an investigation after a hotel employee was caught using a hot tub to clean bed sheets, sparking widespread concern over hygiene and safety standards.

The incident took place at the Expressway Suites on 17th Avenue South in Fargo, where a guest recorded a video of a staff member dumping white linens into a bubbling hot tub and stirring them with a broom.

The guest, identified as Alex Kenmille, said she initially thought the worker was draining or cleaning the tub, but quickly realized the sheets were being soaked and swirled around.

“At first, I thought maybe the hot tub was down, the drain was broken, they were trying to soak up the water, but then he started adding more in there, and I was like, what is going on?” Kenmille said. “That’s disgusting. Are you kidding? Are we sleeping on those sheets? I was really disgusted.”

Kenmille posted the video on social media and alerted city and state health officials. In a recorded phone call shared with local media, a hotel employee claimed the sheets were already cleaned and that the hot tub was used to “remove tiny stains” before being drained and sanitized. “It gets out little stains, then the hot tub is drained and heavily cleaned,” the staff member said.