We all know travel can be stressful, but have you ever stopped to think about just how dirty it can be?
From the moment you step out of the house, your luggage and handbags are exposed to all sorts of germs and grime. Whether it’s wheeling your suitcase along station platforms, stashing your handbag under a train seat, or hoisting a holdall into the overhead locker on a flight – these travel companions see it all.
Airports and train stations, while cleaned regularly, are high-traffic areas used by thousands of people each day. A study by insurance comparison site NetQuote found that airport trays at security checkpoints carry more bacteria than the average household toilet seat. Then there’s public transport, café floors, hotel carpets… the list goes on.
Leather bags and luggage, although stylish and durable, tend to pick up the worst of it, especially as many of us are hesitant to clean them for fear of using the wrong product. And let’s face it, it’s not unusual to rest your bag on the floor of a public loo or under a restaurant table without thinking twice.
It’s not just handbags either. Laptop cases, rucksacks, travel wallets and even your shoes can carry traces of whatever surface they’ve been in contact with throughout your journey. And for those driving to their destination, even car seats and steering wheels can harbour unseen dirt after a few hours on the road.
Travel is one of life’s great pleasures, but it’s also a magnet for mess. The more we move, the more we come into contact with surfaces we’d rather not think about too much.
Being mindful of the unseen dirt we encounter on the go isn’t about being obsessive, it’s about simple, sensible care for the things we use every day. A quick wipe down or clean now and then can go a long way in keeping your belongings in good nick, especially when you’re constantly on the move.
Whether you’re off for a work trip or escaping for the weekend, a little post-travel TLC never goes amiss.
