Many travelers worry about airborne illnesses they might acquire during their plane travels. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people have become more aware of their surroundings to avoid catching infections. If you’re going on a trip, you might worry about recirculated air, but are you aware most germs come from surfaces your hands might touch around the plane?

Your seat may have various infections, and you should always disinfect your airplane seat before getting comfortable. This article will discuss disinfecting an airplane seat using antibacterial wipes for plane trips.

Why you should Disinfect your Seats

The effects of the pandemic have subsided over time, but that doesn’t mean you should get complacent. With the demand for flights slowly increasing, so do your chances of getting sick from a germ you may pick up onboard. While airlines regularly disinfect planes per flight, you should still take hygiene into your hands.

According to a study, 20% of passengers have flown sick, 38% do not leave their seats during a flight, and 19% said they never wash their hands after using the bathroom. These figures are good enough reasons to start practicing seat disinfection every time you fly. Apart from wearing a mask and washing hands, make it a habit to bring wipes with you.

Before you Go…

Don’t board your flight just yet unless you have antibacterial wipes. If you do not have any, take a trip to the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, office supplies, or home improvement store.

We recommend getting Chlorox Disinfecting Wipes in handy packs of nine or fifteen. Do note this brand may have an overpowering scent reminiscent of freshly cleaned public bathrooms and intense lemon. If you cannot handle the smell, try purchasing milder wipes for cleaning hands instead of surfaces like Purell or CareTouch.

As soon as you get onboard, take out your wipes immediately. You might feel uncomfortable with people staring as you stow your baggage and take out your wipes to begin disinfecting. Still, that temporary awkwardness is nothing compared to a possible disease if you do not sanitize.

Disinfecting your Seat

The most important areas to clean are the ones your hands may always touch. Start by wiping all non-porous surfaces, especially the airplane trays. Airplane trays are always in front of you and have a germ meter score of 1,688 compared to 32 from a bathroom. Think about it – you are potentially exposing yourself to many bacteria and viruses, so give them a thorough wiping before moving to the armrests and seat back displays.

Also, always read the instructions on the wipes’ package to understand their proper use. Some wipes may require a minimum of 30 seconds to stay visibly wet to kill all bacteria effectively.

We also advise wiping the bathroom latch before coming in and out. Chances are, it may be contaminated with fecal bacteria due to heavy use.

Don’t Wipe the Fabric

Antibacterial wipes work wonders for preventing illness, but you cannot use them on upholstered surfaces. Wipes only make the cloth damp, transforming your chair into a breeding ground for germs, giving you a much bigger problem. If you are worried the fabric is contaminated, try bringing washable, removable seat covers for seats, airplane trays, and headrests for added protection.

The process of disinfection is more tedious and complex than you might think. This is especially true for the medical industry, and they cannot risk even the slightest contamination to get through for the sake of their patients.

If you want to take part in protecting clinics and hospitals from microbial threats, start training to become a sterile processing technician at Martinson College.

Read More: Different Common Methods of Disinfection