- Mar 13, 2024
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Warning: This could change how you travel!
Traveling isn't known for being the cleanest of experiences, whether it's airports, planes, or hotel accommodations. Surprisingly, the germiest culprit might be traveling with you the whole time!
Your suitcase, specifically the wheels, is a major germ carrier, according to a study by microbiologist Amy-May Pointer with InsureAndGo. Believe it or not, those wheels can have “58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat.” They traverse through airports, bathrooms, streets, and more, collecting all kinds of bacteria and fungi.
Pointer explains that suitcase wheels are exposed to diverse environments filled with bacteria and fungi but are rarely cleaned. There's even the presence of black mold, which can cause some unpleasant symptoms.
So, what can you do? Start by cleaning those wheels regularly, especially when you arrive at a hotel or return home. Avoid placing your suitcase on surfaces where you wouldn’t want germs, like beds and desks. Instead, use luggage racks when available. The handles and base also need attention, as they too can harbor bacteria.
How often do you clean your suitcase after a trip? Let us know! It’s a fascinating, albeit unsettling, topic.
Traveling isn't known for being the cleanest of experiences, whether it's airports, planes, or hotel accommodations. Surprisingly, the germiest culprit might be traveling with you the whole time!
Your suitcase, specifically the wheels, is a major germ carrier, according to a study by microbiologist Amy-May Pointer with InsureAndGo. Believe it or not, those wheels can have “58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat.” They traverse through airports, bathrooms, streets, and more, collecting all kinds of bacteria and fungi.
Pointer explains that suitcase wheels are exposed to diverse environments filled with bacteria and fungi but are rarely cleaned. There's even the presence of black mold, which can cause some unpleasant symptoms.
So, what can you do? Start by cleaning those wheels regularly, especially when you arrive at a hotel or return home. Avoid placing your suitcase on surfaces where you wouldn’t want germs, like beds and desks. Instead, use luggage racks when available. The handles and base also need attention, as they too can harbor bacteria.
How often do you clean your suitcase after a trip? Let us know! It’s a fascinating, albeit unsettling, topic.
