Hygiene on vacation, what do you pay attention to? When entering a washroom, most people pay particular attention to the presence or absence of visible dirt and whether it smells good. Don't be fooled if it looks clean and smells fresh. This does not mean that you are actually in a hygienically clean toilet.
Prevent getting infected on vacation with our tips!
On a bacteria expedition in Guadeloupe
If you go on vacation to the Caribbean, you could be in for a big surprise. Scientists have found a bacterium in the mangrove forest that is visible to the naked eye. The Thiomargarita magnifica can grow up to 2 centimeters long, making it the largest bacterium ever discovered. Source: CNN
5 tips for good hygiene while traveling
In this article we give 5 tips for good hygiene on vacation. This way you will always outsmart bacteria. Wherever you go.
Click below and jump straight to the relevant tip!
Tip 1: Make sure the toilet seat is clean
Did you know that vacationers fear the toilet seat in a public restroom the most? Not very surprising, as 1 in 3 toilet seats contain pathogens.
Lowering the toilet seat with your foot
Many people avoid touching the seat with their hands and, for example, use their foot to lower it. This kind of crazy movement is really not necessary for optimal hygiene on vacation. There are plenty of ways to ensure a hygienically clean toilet seat when traveling.
Toilet hygiene on the go
When entering the toilet cubicle, look around you to see if there is a toilet seat cleaner available. Especially in Slovakia and Germany you often see dispensers with toilet seat cleaner. With a small amount of this liquid on a piece of toilet paper, you can clean the toilet seat yourself in no time. A lot more environmentally friendly than covering the entire seat with paper. And don't forget to bring some antibacterial wipes yourself, just in case there is no dispenser available.
Tip 2: Remove germs from your hands
Wash your hands, at least 20 seconds, with soap. Always carry a mini bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you when you travel. Moist wipes or disposable washcloths are also very convenient to have at hand. In addition to washing your hands with soap, it is just as important to dry your hands, for good hygiene on vacation.
Use a cotton towel dispenser
We prefer to dry our hands by using a cotton towel dispenser. And there's a good reason for that, because with a cotton roller towel (or paper) you remove almost 3 times as many bacteria from your hands compared to air drying them. And good dried hands prevent the further spread of bacteria.
In Italy you can still find many old air dryers to dry your hands. Fortunately, in restaurants you see more and more dispensers and vending machines with sensors for contactless use. Especially in Poland and Slovenia, because there they love innovations.
Tip 3: Avoid unnecessary contact
Avoid unnecessary physical contact we have learned from corona. This improves hygiene on vacation and reduces the risk of transferring germs from one person to another.
Do you see someone in front of you awkwardly maneuvering with a piece of paper in hand to avoid any contact with door handles, sink knobs and taps?
Don't laugh, because after reading the next paragraph, you'll probably do it yourself!
1 in 4 faucets contain unhealthy bacteria
One in 4 faucets and flush knobs have an unhealthy dose of bacteria. For door handles, 1 in 20 are too dirty to touch. In fact, not everyone neatly washes his or her hands with soap. Did you know that some people even pretend to? They open the tap and close it again without having touched a drop of water or soap. Therefore, avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces. And if you have a choice, go for a toilet with sensor taps.
Tip 4: Pay attention to the toilet roll
Not only on the road, but also in hotels and eateries, look at the paper and toilet paper holder: does it look clean? Where is the spare roll? This will give you a good idea of what happened to the toilet roll you're about to use.
Is there spare supply nearby?
If the spare toilet roll is left unpacked near the toilet, chances are it has a lot of bacteria on it. A separate roll is less hygienic anyway than a roll (and spare roll) that is in a closed dispenser. So check and make sure you always have paper tissues on hand to ensure hygiene on your trips.
Tip 5: Don't just use your nose
Smell influences your opinion about the hygienic condition of a toilet. If it smells like flowers, the general perception will be that we are on a fresh and clean toilet. But a fresh smell says nothing about the number of bacteria on the toilet seat, door handle or faucet. Therefore, limit contact with surfaces and wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
With these tips for good hygiene on vacation, you'll be better prepared for foreign toilet adventures. Happy vacations!
