Underwear-in-hotel-coffeemaker uproar: Influencer says she is not being sued

A travel “hack” video by influencer Tara Woodcox resurfaced and went viral in late February 2026, triggering backlash and rumors of legal action. Posts and comments claimed a hotel filed a $1 million lawsuit. Other coverage noted there is no confirmed legal filing or official statement, and no public court record indicates a case has been brought.

Woodcox, who has more than 700,000 followers, first shared the clip in late 2025. She showed a method for washing underwear in a hotel room using the coffeemaker’s grounds compartment, then drying the garment with the bathroom hair dryer. She framed it as a tip from a flight attendant friend and called it a workaround for travelers who run short on undergarments. She later said the video was a joke and a cautionary tale. At least a few hotels have reportedly added notes reminding guests that in-room coffee machines are for beverages only.

The method involves placing soiled underwear where coffee grounds would go and running a brew cycle so hot water passes through the fabric. It then uses a hair dryer to finish drying, according to Fodor’s. Many viewers called the practice unsanitary and a potential risk to public safety. Some warned of cross-contamination if future guests used the same machines for drinks.

Others rejected the claim that airline crew use the technique. They said flight attendants pack enough clean items and, if needed, hand-wash essentials in the bathroom sink during layovers. Several asked why a sink-and-soap approach, or packing extra underwear, would not be the first choice. The discussion widened to other in-room appliances. A former hotel cleaner alleged guests have boiled socks and seafood in kettles, an issue cited in prior reports.

As outrage grew, Woodcox said she does not use hotel coffee makers. She said the video was meant to discourage others by showing a worst-case misuse. She said she has never washed underwear in a coffeemaker. She called the discourse entertaining but noted many viewers still believed she had done what the video showed.

Health-focused commentators added that some pathogens, including norovirus, can survive moderate water temperatures. They advised guests to inspect or avoid in-room brewing equipment if concerned about prior use. The response remained overwhelmingly negative. Many users vowed to skip hotel coffeemakers entirely.

Claims of major legal fallout spread alongside the video. At least one report described attorneys alleging the clip damaged guest trust, triggered refunds, and forced a wholesale replacement of coffeemakers. Despite viral claims of a $1 million lawsuit, no public court record or official statement confirms any filing, and the narrative appears to have spread via social media speculation, according to Delish.

Users proposed alternatives to the purported hack. Suggestions included packing more undergarments, buying new ones while traveling, or washing items in the sink or shower with soap. They recommended drying by a heater, a window, or a hair dryer used only on clean laundry. Commenters noted many hotels offer same-day laundry. Portable travel detergents are inexpensive and easy to pack.