Home LivingTravel9 things you should never forget to clean before and during travelOff on holiday or a work trip? Then make sure you clean these items before and while you travelWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingTravel9 things you should never forget to clean before and during travelOff on holiday or a work trip? Then make sure you clean these items before and while you travelWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Off on holiday or a work trip? Then make sure you clean these items before and while you travel
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Ross Parmly / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Ross Parmly / Unsplash)
Whether you’ve got a long haul flight coming up or you’re off on a long weekend away, don’t forget to clean the items you’re bringing with you before you board the flight.
Despite regular cleaning and maintenance, airplanes can be breeding grounds for bacteria, germs and viruses. Due to the cabin pressure, low humidity and cramped conditions on board, this can increase your likelihood of getting sick after you get back from your trip. But it’s not just the plane that spreads around germs – it can also be you and what you bring with you in yourbest suitcaseas you travel.
From your phone and passport to your travel pillow and tray table, here are nine things you should never forget to clean before and during your trip.
1. Phone
Your phone is probably the dirtiest item that you own. As your phone comes into contact with your face, hands and pockets everyday, it’ll always be a little dirty and that’s before you even get on the plane. Once you’re at the airport, it’ll go into a bin to go through security, before it finally comes into contact with a plane’s tray table when you board.
Essentially, your phone will likely be dirty before you travel and will get dirtier as you do so, and the last thing you want is to arrive on holiday with a germ-riddled phone and to transfer the bacteria to yourself. So, make sure you give your phone a thorough clean before travelling and take antibacterial wipes with you to wipe it down while you fly and when you arrive. Seehow to clean your phonefor more details.
2. Passport
3. Face and hands
In the same way that you don’t want to pick up germs while you fly, you don’t want to pass them along either, so it’s important to wash your face and hands before you fly. Your hands come into contact with so many things everyday, so make sure to wash them thoroughly before flying and carry hand sanitiser with you for cleanliness on the go.
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The skin on your face goes through a lot when you travel. ‘Plane skin’ can be hard to avoid as the dry, low air pressure of the plane can dehydrate your skin and cause breakouts and irritation. To avoid this, make sure to look after your skin when you land and during the flight – it might look strange to wear a face mask or complete your 18-step skincare routine on the plane, but your skin will thank you!
(Image credit: PeopleImages / Collection: iStock / Getty Images Plus)
(Image credit: PeopleImages / Collection: iStock / Getty Images Plus)
4. Suitcase and handbag
5. Chargers
6. Toiletry case
If you use the same toiletry case when you travel, the bag will have picked up grime and dirt, like moisturiser leaks, makeup spills and more. While you give your toiletry bag a quick wash, make sure to focus on yourelectric toothbrushcase, as the brush head comes into contact with your mouth and can transfer viruses directly to you if it’s dirty. Before you pack your toothbrush, clean it with warm water to remove toothpaste residue, and keep the brush head cap to protect the bristles while you travel.
When you get on the plane
7. Plane seat
It completely depends how often your flight is cleaned, so to err on the side of caution, you should clean your plane seat before you settle in for the long haul – no pun intended. Despite regular cleaning, plane seats can still hold a lot of bacteria and germs so it’s a good idea to wipe down the seat, arms and head rest of your chair to avoid picking up any viruses while you fly to your destination.
(Image credit: Hanson Lu / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Hanson Lu / Unsplash)
8. Tray table
Whether you use it to rest your book, or you have multiple meals off of it, the tray table can get extremely dirty overtime. If you’re eating while on your flight, it’s especially important to clean the tray table before you use it, so hang on to those antibacterial wipes and give it a quick once over before you tuck into your meal.
9. Travel pillow
For a comfortable flight, you might want to take a travel pillow with you – but you’ll definitely want to clean it first. If your travel pillow has come with you to most destinations, it’s probably collected dirt from your skin, face and hair overtime. Most travel pillows have a removable and washable cover so you can slip this off and throw it into yourwashing machineto give it a quick clean before you embark on your next adventure. For specific recommendations, check out thesetravel pillows to take with you on your next flight.
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