FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A local hotel has been ordered to stop soaking stained bed sheets in guest hot tubs after a viral video exposed the improper cleaning practice.

The Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) Department launched an investigation after guests filmed an Expressway Suites employee collecting bed sheets and soaking them in the hotel’s guest hot tub. The video gained widespread attention on social media.

After Valley News Live’s original report, a former Expressway Suites employee who worked at the hotel in 2010 came forward, and said the hot tub soaking method was standard procedure for heavily stained linens.

“They just told us to put the really stained items in a box and that would later be put in the hot tub to soak and get the stains out,” the former employee said.

The employee said staff found the practice unusual but complied with management instructions.

“Everybody thought it was weird and gross, but everybody just wanted a job so we just did what we were told,” she said.

Health department officials said they learned about the practice through social media reports and immediately began an investigation. Grant Larson, a health department representative at FCPH, confirmed the soaking process should no longer continue.

“We had an inspector visit the facility at the end of the day, and just to talk through the process… they just have to stop or cease soaking the linens in the jacuzzi and go to another means of a different basin,” he explained.

The hotel did not violate any city codes, as this incident is a first of it’s kind. “I’ve been here for 28 years and this is the first time I’ve seen this,” the health director added.

Larson said the unprecedented nature of the practice means it will likely prompt new regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Since the health or safety of patrons were never at risk, no fines or penalties will be issued, Larson said.

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