- The wheels of suitcases are the most dirty.
- Both hard-shell and soft-shell cases were swabbed in the study.
- On luggage, harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus Serratia and Bacillus have been found.
Since the pandemic, we’ve become more sanitary. Hand sanitizer is still in our pockets and bags. While you may believe you are being diligent by washing your hands frequently Your luggage is the one area you should really pay attention to.
The item is often used and contains an alarming amount of harmful bacteria. In fact, the wheels contain nearly 58 more bacteria than public toilet seats. according to a recent study from InsureandGo Shared with Travel + Leisure.
In order to conduct the study, the company tested 10 different suitcases at a London Airport train station (mixture of hard- and soft-shell), in partnership with Amy-May Pointer, a microbiologist. The goal was to find out just how dirty our luggage could get. Pointer took swabs of control surfaces such as a toilet seat, a flush button and other surfaces to compare.
Pointer, in a T+L statement, said that suitcases, particularly their wheels and bottoms are germ magnets. They can out-germ a toilet. With basic hygiene measures, you can avoid these microbes joining you on your bed or at the dinner table.
Pointer identified a variety of bacteria from the swabs on the luggage. This included Staphylococcus which, according to the study, is common on human skin, but can “get into cut, cause boils, or impetigo, (a highly contagious infection on the skin), and certain strains (like S. aureus) even trigger food poisoning.” Serratia was also found, which is normally harmless but can “opportunistically” cause wound or urinary infections in hospitals, along with Bacillus – a bacterium known to cause foodborne illnesses.
Each swab revealed hundreds of bacteria and fungi colonies. It is therefore vital that you never again put your suitcase on the bed in a hotel.
The base of the bag was the next dirtiest place (where Bacillus spores had been found). Pointer warns that soft-shell cases are more susceptible to fungal growth than hard-shell bags because fabric can absorb moisture faster than plastic.
Pointer reported that the most likely place for Staphylococcus to be found was on the handle of the suitcase.
Pointer does not want you to be afraid. Instead, she gave some useful advice on how you can avoid these germs. luggage rackAvoid rolling your suitcases into toilet stalls and through puddles whenever possible. Wash your hands after handling your bags. Give your suitcases a good clean when you arrive home.
Pointer added that “Travelers should treat their hands like they just touched the surfaces” because, indirectly, they did.
Visit Pointer for the complete findings and more wise advice. insureandgo.com.
