Germ Hotspots You'll Want to Avoid
It might not immediately cross your mind when you're rushing through the airport to your gate, but airport terminals and airplanes are full of high-touch surfaces that are crawling with germs. From security checkpoints to airplane tray tables, nearly everything you come into contact with during your travels has been touched by thousands of other people. If you don't already pack sanitizer with you whenever you fly, you might want to start doing so. Here are 20 things you should think twice about touching at the airport and on the plane.
1. Security Checkpoint Bins
One of the dirtiest things you'll find in the airport is the security checkpoint bins. Yes: the ones you pull out and drop all your belongings into. These trays aren't being wiped down after each use, so if you're also skimping on sanitizing your stuff afterwards, you could be touching far more germs and bacteria than you realize.
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2. Food Spaces & Cafeterias
Thinking of eating at the airport? Think again. While it's technically fine if you're wiping down tables, trays, seats, and other high-touch surfaces before you dig in, keep in mind that these shared food stations and cafeterias harbor plenty of bacteria.
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3. Luggage Carts
If you need a luggage cart to carry all your bags and belongings around, you'll also want to be sure to give it a good wipe down before handling it. Again, think of all the people who touched it before you, and how many of them likely also never sanitized it prior to use.
4. Escalator Handrails
You probably shouldn't be touching the handrails on escalators no matter where you go, regardless of whether you're at the airport, but here's a reminder. These surfaces are rarely, if ever, cleaned, so avoid touching them whenever possible, and always sanitize your hands after if you accidentally do.
5. Safety Instruction Card
Heading into the plane itself, one of the dirtiest items on board is, ironically, the safety instruction card. That doesn't mean you should skip reading it entirely, though—just remember to sanitize your hands after giving it a thorough scan.
6. Lavatory Handles & Surfaces
This one should come as no surprise. While the toilets are regularly cleaned and sanitized, the lavatory handles, surfaces, and items aren't. Before you press flush, grab some tissue paper to do so. In fact, use a napkin for everything you touch, from the soap dispenser to the faucet handles. Sanitize after you come out, too, just in case there are any lingering germs on your hands.
7. Tap Water
It's not just the toilets, sinks, and surfaces you should be wary of, either—the tap water might also be suspect. Studies have shown that the onboard water tanks are always cleaned, which means they can carry lots of bacteria. Your best bet? Sanitizing your hands using other means, instead of washing them at the sink.
8. Overhead Bins
After you store your belongings in the overhead bins, you might want to give your hands a thorough wipe-down with some sanitizer. Do the same afterwards, too, when you land—and remember to clean your bags and personal items, too, especially coats, jackets, and hats.
9. Airport Air
While the air you breathe inside the plane cabin is generally clean, the air inside airports typically isn't. After all, being so busy, you have thousands of people traveling through the space every day, and the air is usually teeming with airborne pathogens that could be highly infectious. If you're not thinking of wearing a mask when passing through terminals, you should.
10. In-Flight Entertainment Screens
Before you start swiping through the options on the in-flight entertainment system, give it—you guessed it—a thorough wipe down. Just think of all the fingers that have touched it before you sat in your assigned seat!
11. Tray Tables
The tray tables on planes are ironically one of the dirtiest, if not the dirtiest things you come into contact with when flying. It doesn't help that you eat off of it, too! Before the flight attendants come around with the first meal, make sure to give your table a very thorough cleaning.
12. Seatbelts & Buckles
Yup—even the buckles and straps that keep you safe and secure on the plane can be riddled with germs and bacteria. Not only do lots of hands touch it throughout the many trips planes take, but these seatbelts can sometimes fall on the floor or get wedged in between seats. The solution? Wipe it down.
13. Seatback Pockets
It's not just the safety instruction card that should prompt you to clean your hands immediately after touching it, but the seatback pockets in general may harbor far more bacteria than you might think. These pouches are rarely ever cleaned, so think twice before putting your personal items or belongings in them.
14. Window Shades
If you're thinking of picking a window seat so you can rest your head on the wall, you might want to think twice. These surfaces, including the window shades, rarely get sanitized, so you might be contracting all the germs of the passengers who previously sat in your seat and did the same.
15. The Floor
It comes as no surprise that the airplane floor is dirty. While you wouldn't be picking food off the carpets, other items might come into contact with it, such as your personal bags, jackets, socks, and even things that you accidentally drop. Always make sure to give everything a thorough wipe down if it falls on the floor, and wear slippers.
16. Seat Covers
You don't want to be wearing shorts on the plane, either, lest your bare skin come into contact with the seat covers. These surfaces are rarely thoroughly cleaned, so refrain from touching them more than you need to.
17. Seat Buttons
The buttons you use to recline your seat or turn up the audio on the in-flight entertainment system? Yup—they're also riddled with germs, so make sure to sanitize your armrest before you start jabbing at the buttons.
18. Pillows & Blankets
You might not think too much about the blankets that are handed out on long-haul flights, given that they typically come wrapped in plastic, but the pillows may make you more wary. In any case, make sure they don't touch your face—or better yet, pack your own pillow and blanket to bring aboard.
19. Others' Belongings
Another reason you might want to give your luggage and personal items a thorough wipe down after storing them overhead? The fact that it was crammed in there with everyone else's belongings. You don't know how clean their stuff is, so assume the opposite.
20. Baggage Claim Area
You're not safe even after you've landed, either. The baggage claim belts and areas come into contact with thousands of luggage and people, so it's no surprise that lots of bacteria are harbored there. Plus, studies have shown that the wheels and bases of suitcases can carry even more bacteria than public toilet seats.
