Bleach Wipes – Always Keep Some in Your Travel Bag

Clorox To Go Wipes

I always travel with a pack of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Fresh Scent, To Go Pack!, 9 Ct.

I know you are thinking that I’m a germaphobe and paranoid but I once spent 5 days INSIDE a cruise ship cabin in the Caribbean because of some bug that I picked up on my flight down to the ship. This is well before anyone knew about Norwalk and SARS and before my “Bleach Wipe Strategy”.

If you are interested in reading more about cruise ships and getting sick on them check out this article: “Who cares if you get sick on a Cruise Ship? The CDC does.”

Now, I’m not saying that the nice people who clean for a living don’t do their job.  I’m sure they do! It may be just for my personal piece of mind – but my mind is small and I don’t want to waste any of it on stress and/or sickness!

Bleach Wipes on the Plane

Inside airplane

(This also applies to train, bus, rental car etc).

  • The first thing when I get on board is I wipe down anything with a bleach wipe that I will potentially touch during the flight – the armrests, seat belt, tray table and headrest. Think about it… you are going to be there a long time sleeping, eating, drinking – living.
  • Another thing, don’t put anything into that seat back pocket below the tray table that you will be taking BACK with you. Seriously, think about this – people put their used “whatever” in there including dirty diapers! And I’m sorry SkyMall – I love your stuff, but I’m not reading that catalogue that lives in there.

For 16 awesome plane travel tips read our article here.

Bleach Wipes In your Hotel Room

(I do this each day I’m in the hotel)

  • Again, wipe down everything with a bleach wipe that you may touch including the TV, remote control, clock radio, telephone, light switches.
  • If the hotel is nice enough to have a glass in the bathroom (versus plastic cups wrapped in plastic).  I wipe the glasses out with the bleach wipe and give it a thorough rinse. Have you seen this video on youtube?? Disgusting!
  • If by chance you desperately need to take a bath versus a shower. A good soak is sometimes required especially after a horseback ride, camel ride, or strenuous hike. Clean the tub with a few bleach wipes and give it a good rinse before you fill the tub with a handful of Epsom salts and jump right in.

Bleach Wipes On the Road in Questionable Restrooms

  • If you do pick up some sort of gastrointestinal bug and you end up in some sketchy gas station bathroom with no toilet seat protectors. You’ll be thanking your lucky stars that you have a pack of bleach wipes in your bag.

I should mention in case it isn’t obvious but don’t use the same wipe for all the surfaces, because you may just be spreading the germs around.

I’m sure you get my point from the examples above and I’m sure there are a lot more reasons to carry bleach wipes in your bag.

I’d love to hear if you travel with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, or if you have any more uses for bleach wipes…comment, share or link me up.

Healthy Travels!

By admin

Mary Chong is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A food and travel writer, and founder of Calculated Traveller, when not working as a freelance graphic designer, Mary is either travelling with her husband Ray or planning the next big adventure.

8 comments

  1. Sorry to tell you but I don’t think the “bleach” wipes you have pictured contain actual bleach, and I don’t think they kill norovirus. Neither do most hand sanitizers.

    Actual bleach solution will work but is obviously problematic in most places! I have also read that you can use hydrogen peroxide (Not sure of the concentration needed, and you have to leave it wet for something like a minute).

    1. Hi S. To be exact you are in fact correct. There isn’t actually bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in these disinfecting wipes.

      According to the website it does contain is Hexoxyethanol, Alkyl C12-18 dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, Alkyl C12-14 dimethylethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, C12-14 Alcohols Ethoxylated Proproxylated, Citric Acid, Isopropyl alcohol among other ingredients. “Kills 99.9% of germs that can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Kills 99.9% of Viruses (such as Human Coronavirus, Influenza A2 Virus) and Bacteria. Kills Staph, E. Coli, Salmonella, Strep.”

      In my opinion I’ll take the 99.9% because it’s better than using nothing…

    1. Thanks Margie for coming by. I’ve seen them at the travel section of Target, Walmart, Bed Bath Beyond.

      An idea for you if you can’t find them is that you could always take some out of the large container and put them in a small zip lock bag.

  3. I had (unkowningly) pack some hand sanitzer in my purse, which came in handy for my road trip, but I think bleach wipes would have worked better.

  4. Thanks for your response on Twitter. Checking out your blog – totally agree on wipes (not promoting a name brand here). I’ve been in some really disgusting places in Egypt, Peru and even New York City where they come in handy!

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