Travel offers untold opportunities for enrichment and entertainment. While you can see a lot of beautiful places and inspiring performances online, nothing quite compares to being there in person. If you’re concerned about safely getting out and about, there are several things that you can do to help keep germs at bay while you’re on the go. Try these tips the next time you’re traveling. Whether it’s a quick day trip or a multiday adventure, these smart strategies will keep everyone a bit safer.
Minimize Germs on Airplanes
When you board an airplane, the rows of empty seats might appear clean, but that doesn’t guarantee they’re germ free. Some airlines don’t deep-clean the interior of their aircrafts as often as you’d think. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to enhance the cleanliness of your flight.
First, wipe down your space. Keep disinfectant wipes in your carry-on and take a moment to wipe down your entire area, including the:
- Seat
- Armrests
- Seat belt and buckle
- Tray table
- Window shade
- Air vent
- Seat pocket
Sanitize your hands thoroughly before and after you eat, drink, or use the restroom on the flight. When possible, avoid using the airplane bathroom. This compact space is so small that flushing can spray the entire room with germs. If you must use the restroom on the plane, wipe everything down with a disinfectant wipe first and use a paper towel to open the door when you’re finished.
Though you may be tempted to close the air vent beside your seat, it’s actually better to keep it open. The air coming from that vent is likely the cleanest air on the plane. Airlines often use HEPA filters that capture up to 99.9% of germs. Keeping the air circulating is the most effective way to filter germs out of the air.
Sanitize Your Hotel Room
Carefully inspect your hotel room before you settle in. If you see any obvious signs of dirt, ask for a room change. If the room looks satisfactory, you can move on to tackling a few tidying tasks on your own. Begin by wiping down flat surfaces with a disinfecting wipe for an extra layer of protection from germs. Focus on door knobs, taps, telephones, pens, and the coffee maker.
Next, you can address the remote control. Microbiologists have found that this is one of the most contaminated items in the average hotel room. While wiping it down is a good start, you may want to go even further with this item and enclose it in a plastic bag so you’re not touching the buttons at all. Bring a small baggie with you or use a shower cap or plastic bag from another item in the room, such as the coffee supplies.
Remove all bedding other than the sheets. Though sheets are changed between guests, blankets and comforters often are not. If you find the bed too uncomfortable without the extra bedding, request freshly laundered items from housekeeping.
Pack Smart
As you’re preparing to travel, carefully consider not only what goes in your bag, but the bag itself. It’s best to use wheeled luggage whenever possible. This is especially true for a carry-on that’s traveling through an airport, bus station, or train station with you. Wheels help keep the bag off the ground so it will pick up less dirt along the way. If you’re taking a bag that slings over your shoulder, try to keep it small so you can juggle it as needed. For example, you may need to keep your bag on your person in the restroom so it doesn’t touch this particularly contaminated floor.
Carry a trash bag with you while you’re traveling so you can keep clean and dirty items separate. If you let your dirty clothing mingle with fresh items in your bag, you may spread any germs or dirt that you picked up while you were out and about. You should also keep extra shoes in a separate bag, as they can pick up a number of contaminants from the streets and sidewalks.
Carry Essentials On Your Person
Keep a handy travel bag with all the essentials you need to combat germy situations while you’re traveling. This should include:
- Hand sanitizer. Sanitize after you come into contact with high-touch items like a touch-screen ticket kiosk, gas station handle, handrail, or credit card reader.
- A purse hook. This useful little hook keeps your bag off the floor and out of the way in restaurants.
- Credit cards. One study found that the average $1 bill circulating in New York City is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, oral microbes, and more. Using a credit card instead will help you avoid touching cash and change.
- A pen. Keep your own writing utensil handy for signing receipts or even taking notes during travel so you don’t have to pick up the community pen.
While these tips will help you avoid germs while you’re traveling, there’s no foolproof solution for keeping all contaminants away while you’re on the road. Consider scheduling a good deep cleaning when you get home to take care of any germs or contaminants that may have hitched a ride back with you. Our team at Kingdom Keepers can help ensure health, safety, and cleanliness in your home.
