Travel Hygiene Tips: How to Stay Germ-Free on the Road

Posted on Apr 13 2021 - 6:38pm by Jack Kewel

You’re a passionate traveler and nothing can hold you back – not even the pandemic? Welcome to the club, you aren’t the only one here! Of course, traveling safely should be your top goal, so stay with us and learn how to stay germ-free on the road. Here are five useful travel hygiene tips, so check them out and enjoy!

Wash your hands thoroughly whenever you have a chance

If we’ve learned anything during this pandemic, it’s that we must wash our hands thoroughly and frequently. Needless to say, it gets even more important when you’re on the go. This is simply because you’re exposed to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms while you’re traveling. Did you know that you can catch the majority of infections by touching dirty objects? That’s right, which is exactly why you must wash your hands as often as possible. This is essential after using the toilet, touching an animal, and changing a tampon. You must do it after touching objects such as an ATM, public phone, door handles,  and shopping carts, too. However, if you don’t have an opportunity to wash your hands with water and soap, use a hand sanitizer instead. It’ll do the trick as well!

Keep your nails short and clean

Yes, we know that a lot of ladies love to rock ultra-long nails, but you know what? These are extremely unhygienic if you ask us – especially when you’re hitting the road during the pandemic. The reasons for that are more than good. First of all, it’s highly likely that dirt, bacteria, and grime will get stuck under your nails when they are long. This is exactly what you should avoid – particularly nowadays, when practicing good hand hygiene is more important than ever. Of course, this goes mostly for countries where cleanliness isn’t the rule, such as Ethiopia, India, and Nigeria. However, if you’re traveling to Europe or major urban centers, you won’t have to worry about this issue too much. Of course, it’s always better safe than sorry, so keep your nails short and clean and you won’t make a mistake!

Be very careful about things you share with others

As mentioned above, a large number of infections can be caught by touching dirty objects. These can spread very quickly and wreak havoc on your overall health in the blink of an eye. It is exactly why you should be very careful about things you share with others. This is particularly true for towels – both hand and face towels. So, if you’re staying in a hotel or hostel, stay away from hand towels altogether. Instead, opt for hand dryers that’ll dry your hands in just a few seconds. This is the best way to avoid infections caused by bacteria that were spread by multiple people using the same towel. When it comes to a face towel, be sure to bring your own. You must never share this towel with other people – especially if you suffer from acne or similar skin conditions!

hygiene

Shower every day, if possible

Showering is the most effective way to stay clean and keep body odor at bay while on the road. If possible, do it every day and focus on the parts of your body that sweat the most. The combination of water and soap/body wash is unmatched when it comes to staying fresh. It will get rid of dirt, oil, germs, and dead skin cells, which will leave your skin soft and clean. Also, remember that wearing flip-flops when taking a shower is always a great idea. You can never know who was in that shower before you – especially if you’re staying in a hostel with a shared bathroom. Besides showering, you should wash your hair at least once a week, too. You can do it even more often if necessary. Of course, it depends on your hair type and how quickly it gets greasy!

Make sure to practice good oral hygiene, too

Is there anything worse than bad breath? Many people would agree that there isn’t, and we completely agree with them! Practicing good oral hygiene and keeping your mouth clean is crucial for healthy teeth and fresh breath. Firstly, ensure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing is another important step that can prevent cavities and gum disease. To keep your mouth free from potentially harmful bacteria, use an anti-bacterial mouth wash as well. Apart from that, you must know that washing your teeth after every meal is a good way to go. However, if that isn’t possible, try to wash them after breakfast and before going to bed. When you’re on the go, carrying a toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste is a good idea. Use them whenever you have an opportunity and have a fresh breath no matter what!

As you can tell, there are so many travel hygiene tips you should embrace to stay germ-free on the road. Of course, these five are the best ones out there, so stick to them at all times and you’ll see a huge improvement. This is essential these days, when the entire world is in the middle of a pandemic, which is why you should follow our guidelines and make a difference!

Jack Kewel
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About the Author

Jack Kewell is a writer, science editor, naturalist, entrepreneur. He is focused on writing and illustrating books. Also, he is a regular contributor to Mountaintechblog