A travel 'hack' shared by Canadian influencer Tara Woodcox in late 2025 resurfaced months later and quickly became one of social media's most talked-about hygiene controversies.
The 43-second TikTok clip showed Woodcox describing a method of washing underwear in a hotel room coffee maker using the brew cycle's hot water, followed by blow-drying the garment with the bathroom hairdryer.
By February 2026, the video had gone viral again after being reposted on social media, immediately creating backlash from all over the world. Many viewers called the idea unsanitary and inconsiderate, while rumours began circulating online that hotels were replacing machines or even pursuing legal action.
But has Tara reacted to the backlash?
What Did Tara Woodcox Actually Say?
Woodcox originally posted the video in November last year, under her TikTok handle @tarawoodcox11. In the clip, she enthusiastically described the method as a 'cool trick' for travellers who run out of clean underwear. She said she learned it from a flight attendant years earlier and claimed many people already knew the hack.
@tarawoodcox11 Travel hacks! #fyp #foryoupage #travel #clean #wow ♬ original sound - Tara Woodcox
The process she described involved placing underwear in the coffee filter compartment, running a brew cycle for hot water, and then drying the garment with a hairdryer.
Months later, the video resurfaced on social media feed with captions like 'Needless to say I don't drink hotel room coffee anymore 🤢🤢,' paired with the hashtag #gross.
In comment replies, people expressed disgust, suggesting that they now avoid hotel coffee because of practices like this.
Has Tara Woodcox Apologised?
There is no public apology from Woodcox on her video yet. Also, she has not deleted the original video, nor has she issued a follow-up statement addressing the backlash.
However, on her Instagram, she posted a picture with her son with a long caption describing her health struggles and how she had been low-key for a while. Her caption does not include the discourse about her 'hack' video, but her comment section of that post was all about the backlash only.
Some publications have reported that they attempted to contact her for a comment but received no response. Her TikTok page continues to feature fitness and wellness content, with no visible acknowledgement of the controversy.
Alleged Lawsuits and Hotel Consequences
Following the viral resurgence, social media posts began claiming that hotels were replacing coffee machines, refunding guests, or suing Woodcox for $1 million.
However, there is no verified evidence supporting these claims. No hotel chains have issued official statements confirming machine replacements tied to this incident, and no court filings or confirmed lawsuits have been reported.
A recent IBTimes UK report described the lawsuit rumours as unsubstantiated social media speculation. As of now, the alleged legal and financial consequences remain unverified.
Public Reaction to the 'Hack' Video
The overwhelming response across social media has been highly negative.
Many users described the hack as 'gross,' 'unsanitary,' and 'selfish,' arguing that hotel coffee makers are not typically deep-cleaned between guests. Some former hotel workers chimed in to say in-room appliances are often wiped down rather than dismantled and sanitised.
@brittani.lizabeth I'm disgusted. Do NOT go to her page because we do NOT give women like this views. This is beyond not okay. #travelhacks #disgusted #tiktoktrends #tarawoodcox #viraltiktoks ♬ original sound - WBsongs
Reddit threads debated whether the video was 'rage bait,' while others insisted that even suggesting the practice could inspire copycats. The backlash has, in fact, gone too intense that some users have started asking people to unfollow influencers like Tara.
In short, the dominant reaction has been distrust, with many users stating they would avoid using hotel coffee machines altogether.
While no confirmed legal consequences have been reported, the controversy has fueled broader conversations about hotel hygiene and influencer responsibility.
In this case, the reputational impact appears more significant than any 'video' fallout.
