How to Sanitize Your Space and Avoid Germs While Flying

The ultraviolet-C light that this wand emits actually deactivates the DNA of bacteria and viruses, eliminating their ability to multiply or cause infection. The germicidal light kills up to 99.9% of bacteria, including E. coli, and takes just 10-20 seconds to work. Wand it over your seat before buckling in, swipe it over the TSA bins at security, or even put it to work in your hotel room once you arrive to make sure your surfaces are safe to touch.

This tiny two-ounce purifying mist delivers a powerful punch to your airplane seat, killing 99.99% of all bacteria tested within two minutes of a single spray. PlaneAire is an organic blend of peppermint, lemon, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and lavender oils, and its herbal scent dissipates quickly after being sprayed. Just a few sprays eliminates the harmful bacteria in your space for hours.

A recent study found that airport TSA trays carry more germs than toilet seats or staircase rails, where the rhinovirus (the cause for the common cold) was the most prevalent virus found. Emptying your pockets puts your cellphone in direct contact with germs and bacteria…and don’t even get us started on stashing your phone in the seatback pocket. PhoneSoap Go is a safe way to sanitize your phone while traveling, and, bonus points, it also charges your device while sterilizing it. This rechargeable device offers up four full phone charges or 45 sanitizing cycles on a single battery, killing up to 99.99% of germs with its built-in UV-C light.

Note: This item is currently available for preorder and will be shipping before July 30.

Use this handy seat cover to block your body from grimy, germ-ridden seats on trains, planes, or even movie theaters. The cover comes in a convenient carrying case that includes a face mask, an adhesive tray table cover, and two sanitary wipes that would make Howard Hughes comfortable flying commercially. The Seat Sitters cover is machine washable and even comes in a kid’s version with crayons.

Airplane trays continually rank as the dirtiest place on the airplane (some containing up to 2,155 colony-forming units per square inch), so this handy expandable tray cover and storage unit from Airplane Pockets is crucial to keeping your space sanitized. The stretchable cover slips over the airplane tray, with a drop-down pocket to replace the airline’s backseat pocket with 4 expandable pockets (plenty of room for storing your laptop, phone, water bottle, etc.). When the food cart comes around, the tray cover doubles as a placemat.

This clever carryon attaches to the seatback in front of you without affecting the person in the row ahead, giving you clean and sanitized access to all your flight needs. The High Altitude Flight Bag replaces the need to store anything in the seatback with compartments for iPads, up to six magazines, headphones, passports and even a charger to juice your smartphone in flight. It’s water-resistant and can attach to a roll-aboard bag for easy transportation between flights.

The dry air on an airplane doesn’t just leave your skin dry, it also dries out your mucus membranes in your nose and reduces the body’s resistance to infection. Moisture is key to fighting off germs, which is what inspired Hawaiian company Bioponic Phytoceuticals to create Flight Spray. The spray alleviates nasal dryness with its turmeric root and spearmint formula to enhance the body’s ability to fight off germs that cause the common cold, the flu, and other viruses.

One single hand wipe from Wet Ones contains enough antibacterial action to kill off 99.99 percent of germs. Wet Ones are just as effective as gel sanitizers, but these won’t slow you down at security, and they do double duty for wiping away grime and “let’s-hope-that’s-a-coffee-stain” messes from passengers before you. The travel packs come in three varieties (fresh scent, tropical splash, and unscented) and have a wet lock seal so you can keep the wipes fresh between uses.

The CDC now recommends facemasks to help protect against the spread of disease, stating that “a cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others.” There are ways to make your own facemask, but many businesses have switched gears mid-pandemic to help out with the growing demand for facemasks. SwaddleDesigns converted their production site from baby blankets to facemasks for adults and children and Indie Source donates one mask to LA-based frontline workers for every mask sold.

Bringing your own airline amenity kit not only makes traveling in economy more bearable, but it also stocks you up with seven of Aesop’s top travel products, including the Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash. Unlike other hand-sanitizers, this one doesn’t dry your hands out and has a clean scent with notes of rosemary and cedar. The kit also comes with a hand moisturizer, toothpaste, a hydrating masque, a lip cream, mouthwash, and a rose-petal infused mist to hydrate your skin mid-flight. If a basic hand sanitizer is what you’re after, it’s entirely possible to make a bare-bones version at home by mixing up 6 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 20 drops of lavender essential oil with 4 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol.

If only airlines would make their inflight blankets like this micro-fleece poncho-style travel blanket from Travelrest… although, part of the blanket’s allure is that users know the last time it was washed. Avoid germy, used blankets on the plane by packing this portable blanket along for your next flight. It folds into its own carrying case and doubles as a poncho, which means less contact between your body and the seat.

Although this deodorant-stick-sized cleaner is designed to sanitize your personal electronic devices (i.e., tablets, smartphones, e-readers, etc.), it can be a health saver when coming in contact with the shared touchscreens at the airport and on the airplane. A study from InsuranceQuotes.com found that airport check-in kiosks have more than 1,475 times the bacteria found on your home toilet seat. Give the kiosk screen a swipe with your HÄNS Swipe before checking in, and, if your plane still has a seatback screen, it couldn’t hurt to give that surface a swipe as well.

One single hand wipe from Trip Wipes contains enough antibacterial action to kill off 99.99 % of germs. Trip Wipes are just as effective as gel sanitizers, but these won’t slow you down at security, and they do double duty for wiping away grime and “let’s-hope-that’s-a-coffee-stain” messes from passengers before you. These citrus-scented wipes are individually wrapped and come in a 30-pack case box or 5 pack box. Load up with Trip Wipes travel-sized foam hand soap while you’re at it!

This line of facemasks, scarves, and cleaning products are all made with 99.9% silver. Silver contains natural anti-microbial properties, which is great for fighting germs and bacteria. Use the scarf as a face shield or head wrap while on the plane or use it to wipe down screens before you swipe, click, or press any buttons.

Traveling with a toddler is difficult enough without having to worry [even more] about them touching everything and everyone around them. While this stroller won’t keep your kid in a safe bubble once on the plane, its lightweight (13.4 pounds) frame easily folds and stores in its own protected pouch the overhead cabin so you can safely wheel your child through crowded airports right to the plane without worrying about them grabbing, mouthing, or, ugh, licking any surfaces.