Headed Home For The Holidays And Staying Clean

Stay fresh while headed home for the holidays with our guide on essential hygiene practices and travel kits.

Published On

May 15, 2024

Dove Recovery's Team

Headed Home For The Holidays And Staying Clean

Essential Travel Hygiene Kits

As you prepare to head home for the holidays, staying clean and healthy during your travels is paramount. Investing in hygiene and travel kits that are designed to promote cleanliness on the go should be a priority. Here are a few essential travel hygiene kits that can help you maintain proper hygiene practices while traveling:

Stay Safe™ Germ Protection Kit

The Stay Safe™ Germ Protection Kit is an excellent choice for those who are conscious about staying germ-free during their travels. It comes equipped with antibacterial wipes and other germ protection essentials that can help you maintain cleanliness in different environments. This kit is especially handy when considering the fact that planes are only thoroughly cleaned once every five years, including points of contact such as door handles and armrests [1].

Johnson & Johnson Baby Travel Bag

For those traveling with babies, the Johnson & Johnson Baby Travel Bag is a must-have. It's packed with baby products that are essential for maintaining the sanitation and health of your little one. This bag is not only convenient but also ensures that your baby's hygiene needs are covered throughout the journey.

Convenience Kits Tresemme Women's Travel Kit

The Convenience Kits Tresemme Women's Travel Kit is perfect for women who want to keep up with their beauty and hygiene routine while traveling. It contains beauty essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, and other personal care items. It's compact, making it ideal for packing in your suitcase or travel bag.

Men's Deluxe Travel Kit

Tailored for men, the Men's Deluxe Travel Kit offers a range of personal care items that cater to men's hygiene needs during travel. The kit includes essentials such as shaving cream, razors, and other grooming items. It's a great way to stay fresh and clean, no matter where your travels take you.

Standard Hygiene & Toiletries Kit

The Standard Hygiene & Toiletries Kit is a comprehensive solution for all your hygiene needs while traveling. It includes standard toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and more. An added advantage is that these items are packaged in zippered plastic bags to contain potential leaks or spills, making it a more practical and effective solution than a fancy traveling cosmetics and toiletries bag.

These hygiene and travel kits provide a convenient way to stay clean and healthy while traveling. By equipping yourself with the right tools and products, you can ensure that you're well-prepared to maintain good hygiene practices, even when you're miles away from home. This is an essential aspect of headed home for the holidays and staying clean [2].

Maintaining Cleanliness During Travel

When headed home for the holidays and staying clean, there are a few tips and tricks to maintain cleanliness during travel. From the cleaning frequency on airplanes to effective toiletry containment, understanding these factors can ensure a hygienic journey.

Cleaning Frequency on Airplanes

It's important to note that airplanes may not be cleaned as frequently as one might expect. According to a head flight attendant, planes are only thoroughly cleaned once every 5 years, including points of contact such as door handles and arm rests. Flight attendants touch a lot of things, including bags, food, and garbage, with little time to wash their hands. Therefore, carrying personal sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizer can be beneficial for personal hygiene on flights.

Protecting Clothing from Dirty Shoes

Dirty shoes can easily contaminate packed clothing. To keep dirty shoes from dirtying your clothing, consider wrapping them in a plastic shopping bag or using a shower cap to store them. This method is cost-effective and can significantly reduce the risk of dirt and bacteria transferring from shoes to clothes.

Containing Toiletries Effectively

Toiletries can leak or spill, causing a mess in your luggage. To prevent this, use zippered plastic bags to contain toiletries. This method is more practical and effective than using a fancy traveling cosmetics and toiletries bag. It not only keeps your toiletries organized but also prevents any leakage from ruining other items in your bag.

Packing Mini Laundry Detergent

Packing mini laundry detergent packets can be handy for light travel and for the need to do laundry while on the go. Convenient 3-packs suitable for sinks are available. These packets allow you to quickly and effectively clean your clothes without having to rely on hotel laundry services.

Utilizing Alcohol Wipes for Cleaning

Alcohol wipes are a practical alternative to wet wipes and hand sanitizers for quick, disposable cleaning on the go. They can also be used to clean dirty items in a hotel room. From wiping down surfaces to quickly disinfecting hands, alcohol wipes are a versatile and compact solution for maintaining cleanliness during travel.

Remember, staying clean while traveling doesn't have to be a complicated process. With a few simple strategies and the right products, you can ensure that your trip home for the holidays is as hygienic and comfortable as possible.

Best Travel Toiletries for Cleanliness

Maintaining cleanliness while traveling, especially when headed home for the holidays, can be a breeze with the right toiletries. Here, we highlight four top-rated products that are not only compact and convenient for travel but also highly effective in ensuring cleanliness and freshness.

Evolvetogether Face Wash

The Evolvetogether Face Wash is a travel-friendly option for maintaining a clean and fresh face. What sets this product apart is that it comes in 100 percent biodegradable individual-use packets. This makes it easy to pack the exact amount you need for your trip, ensuring that you're always equipped with a clean face wash whenever you need it. Plus, the biodegradable nature of the packets means you're doing your part for the environment too.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Skin hydration is often overlooked when traveling, but it's an important aspect of staying clean and fresh. The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a fantastic option for this. This cream delivers eight hours of hydration to help keep your skin soothed, dewy, and moisturized. This means, regardless of the weather conditions or the stress of travel, your skin remains hydrated and healthy.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Body Cream

Traveling light is often a necessity, and the La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Cream allows you to do just that. This versatile product can be used on your body, hands, and face, eliminating the need for multiple creams. It's an effective way to keep your skin moisturized and refreshed, no matter where you're headed.

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleansing Bar

If you're traveling by air, the TSA's 3-1-1 rule for liquids in carry-ons can be a bit of a challenge. The Glossier Milky Jelly Cleansing Bar is a great solution for this. It can be used on both your body and face, ensuring you're thoroughly clean and fresh. Plus, as a solid, it won't count against the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, making it a highly convenient option for air travel.

These toiletries are not just efficient at keeping you clean but are also conveniently sized and designed for travel. So, when you're headed home for the holidays, these are some of the best options to consider for staying clean. They ensure you're always fresh, no matter where your holiday travels take you.

Importance of Personal Hygiene

Maintaining personal hygiene is crucial when traveling, especially when you're headed home for the holidays and staying clean becomes a priority for personal comfort and health.

Good Hygiene Practices for Health

One of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and others from illness is good personal hygiene. This involves actions such as washing hands, maintaining body cleanliness, avoiding coughing or sneezing on others, and cleaning objects that have been touched when unwell. These practices are particularly important when you're in close quarters with others, such as during holiday family gatherings or on a crowded plane.

Cultural Variations in Hygiene

Personal hygiene practices can vary widely across different cultures. Some cultures expect daily body washing and the use of deodorants to combat body odors, while others may have different norms. When traveling, it's important to be respectful of these cultural variations and adapt your hygiene practices as needed.

Hygiene Practices for Preventing Infections

Regular hand washing, particularly with soap and water, is crucial in preventing infections like colds and gastroenteritis. Many infections are transmitted when unwashed hands with germs come into contact with the mouth or food [4]. Carrying hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes can be useful for situations where soap and water aren't readily available.

Personal Hygiene for Men and Women

Personal hygiene can also vary based on gender. For women, it primarily involves washing the external genital area, as the vagina is self-cleaning and should not be washed with douches to prevent damaging the delicate skin.

Men, on the other hand, are advised to gently clean under the foreskin to prevent the build-up of secretions called smegma, which can occur in uncircumcised men. This should be done primarily while showering with water and possibly soap if it's rinsed thoroughly [4].

Maintaining good personal hygiene is essential not only for your personal comfort but also for the health and comfort of those around you. By practicing good hygiene habits, you can help protect yourself and others from illness and infections, making for a happier and healthier holiday season.

Planning for Safe Holiday Travel

When headed home for the holidays and striving to stay clean, planning is key. From packing appropriately for cold destinations to preparing a health kit, there are various measures to take to ensure safe and hygienic travel.

Packing for Cold Destinations

When traveling to cold destinations during the holidays, packing warm, layered clothing is a must. Apart from the usual hats, gloves, and scarves, don't forget thermal underwear and moisture-wicking socks. Waterproof boots can help keep feet dry, while hand and foot warmers can provide extra comfort in freezing temperatures. It's also a good idea to pack a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and some nutritious snacks to maintain energy levels.

CDC-Recommended Travel Health Kit

The CDC recommends preparing a travel health kit for holiday travels. This kit should include prescription medications, diarrhea medicine, antacids, motion sickness medicine, pain relievers, allergy medicine, and hand sanitizer. You should also pack various sizes of bandages and specific items like contact solution or glasses, if needed [5].

Pre-Travel Health Consultation

Before embarking on holiday travels, it's essential to talk to your doctor. This consultation should cover topics like health, vaccinations, medication refills, and managing travel anxiety or sleep issues. Additionally, it's a good time to get a flu shot or COVID-19 booster, or seek help from mental health professionals if needed.

Safe Travel Methods

Choosing a safe travel method is crucial. Regardless of the mode of transportation, it's important to maintain good hygiene practices, stay hydrated, and eat fresh fruits. Incorporating stretching and relaxation techniques into the travel routine can also help improve the travel experience [5].

Winter Car Travel Preparation

If traveling by car during winter, certain preparations are necessary. These include checking the car's battery, antifreeze levels, tires, and windshield wipers. It's also a good idea to prepare an emergency kit containing items like blankets, water, food, and a flashlight. These precautions can ensure a smoother and safer journey.

In conclusion, appropriate planning can ensure safe and hygienic holiday travels. Whether it's packing the right items, preparing a health kit, or choosing a safe travel method, these steps can contribute to a clean and merry holiday experience.

Healthy Travel Tips

While you're headed home for the holidays, it's important to prioritize your health and wellness. Here are a few essential tips to help you stay clean and healthy throughout your journey.

Packing Nutritious Snacks

Packing nutritious snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, granola bars, and nuts, instead of chips and candy, can help reduce the temptation to indulge in low-nutritional value snacks during holiday travel. This practice can make you feel satisfied, fuller for longer, and reduce the likelihood of stomach problems or digestive issues [6].

Staying Hydrated

Staying hydrated by drinking water can help avoid dehydration during holiday travel, preventing issues like overheating, difficulty thinking, mood changes, and other physiological problems [6]. It's good practice to carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the journey.

Regular Hand Washing or Sanitizing

Washing hands regularly or using hand sanitizer can help in preventing illness, especially when spending time in crowded airports and train stations during the busy holiday season. Having a travel-sized hand sanitizer in your carry-on bag can be particularly helpful.

Organizing and Carrying Medications

Keeping medications organized, labeled, and in a carry-on bag, especially prescription medications, is crucial for maintaining health during travel. This ensures medications are always accessible and taken on time, even with time zone changes. It may be helpful to use a pill organizer or a medication management app.

Prioritizing Sleep for Immunity

Prioritizing sleep by ensuring at least eight hours of sleep each night before and after travel can help boost immunity, improve mental health, and reduce the chances of getting sick or worsening travel stress. Consider bringing a travel pillow or eye mask to facilitate better sleep during your journey.

By following these travel tips, you can ensure that your holiday travel is not only joyful, but also healthy and safe.