Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, it is always important to keep proper hygiene practices intact to best assure that you'll have healthy travel memories ahead. While Instagram shots may portray traveling as luxurious and glamorous 24/7, unfortunately, if you have traveled, you know that it is not. Lucky for you, we have curated a wide list of best hygiene tips when traveling whether that be in a car, bus, boat, plane or train:

Wash Your Hands

An obvious rule number one! However, with all of the excitement that comes along with traveling and visiting new destinations, this one can sometimes be overlooked. This is especially important to complete before eating. Some cultures traditionally eat utilizing their hands rather than utensils. Depending on where you are traveling from, this may be a new method that you are not used to. That being said, it is so important to get into the habit of washing your hands or at least sanitizing if there is no running water accessible, before consuming any food. This is a great opportunity to practice the language of the country you are visiting by learning how to ask “where is the bathroom?”.

Maintain Oral Hygiene 

Toothbrushes may be the number one forgotten item while packing for a trip. If this be the case on your journey, this does not mean you should avoid brushing your teeth! Ask your hotel lobby if they have any toothbrushes for their guests or if there is a store nearby you can pick one up. If the water is undrinkable where you are traveling, this is also not an excuse to skip this daily routine. Use bottled water to brush and rinse if you are advised to take extra precaution. Mouthwash is also a great travel item to pack for some extra minty fresh.

Prepare a First-Aid Kit

A common way travelers get sick on the road is by not properly taking care of any wounds they incur. It's always a good idea to have a small first aid kit available filled with disinfectants, ointments, and bandages. Bring along your medications as well as they may not be as accessible abroad as you are used to back home. 

Wipe Down Surfaces

Bring along a pack of antibacterial wipes to wipe down new surfaces around you. These come in great handy on airplanes- make sure to wipe down your seat, tray, window and the controls above you. Bathrooms are a great place to utilize these wipes as well, especially with the door handles. Lastly, don't forget about your electronics! Phones, headphones, laptops, and tablets can easily become breeding grounds for bacteria if you don't take the necessary precautions.

Drink Lots of Water

Stay hydrated while continuing to flush out your system by keeping up with drinking tons of water. Many times while traveling it can be hard to keep up with your normal intake. If the tap water where you are traveling is undrinkable, be prepared by always having some filtered bottled water in sight. A global water purifier straw is also good to have on hand in case you get stuck in an unideal situation and don’t have drinking water accessible. 

Cut Your Nails

As an extraordinary precaution, keep your nails short to prevent extra dirt, debris, and bacteria from collecting. If you prefer to keep your nails long, just make sure they're staying clean. 

Wear Shoes in the Shower

Depending on what accommodation you are staying in, it may be useful to pack cheap flip flops that you can wear in the shower. Many times hostels have communal showers and wearing shoes is just another layer of precaution against any possible foot disease or fungus that may be around.

Pack Dry-Fit Clothes

Dry-fit clothes are breathable, wrinkle-free and will stay fresh longer on your travels. Long red-eye flight across the globe? This is the type of clothing you want to be wearing. Another plus? They take up little room in your luggage, meaning for more room for souvenirs on the way back! 

Utilize a Laundry Bag

Keep your clean clothes fresh and separate from your dirty ones by utilizing a laundry bag. Depending on how long your trip is and how many bags you packed, you may find yourself re-wearing clothes. Consider bringing along some wrinkle spray for some refreshing scents if your clothes need a pick-me-up between washes.

Keep Your Body Fresh

If you don't have access to a shower while on the road, there are other ways to keep your body feeling clean. One alternative is ‘no-rinse body wash’. This is a water-based odor neutralizer that will provide you with a quick wash. If your trip involves a multi-day adventure trek, this item was made for you. Other items to bring along that will keep you feeling fresh are face and body wipes. 

You are now ready for your next squeaky clean adventure! How do you stay clean on your travels? Keep these tips in mind on your next travel experience with Acanela! 

Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak