How to Disinfect Germy Public Areas / Hand Wipes....

[milopup]

I will be travelling with LO via airplane in the coming months. I am a germaphobe (I admit it!) but even non-germaphobes are wary of airplane seats, airplane bathrooms and airport changing areas.

1) Any suggestions for how to disinfect these areas when we use them, especially since LO will touch everything (LO will be 19 months) and then put fingers in mouth. :

Last year I sprayed the airplane seat area with a mixture of vinegar and orange essential oil, and wiped the changing table with a baby wipe, but I dont think either of those methods really kills germs.

2) Any suggestions for what to wipe LO's hands with after LO plays with the public bathroom/changing area table, walls, etc.?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[milopup]

Bump please.

[LaffNowCryLater]

Mrs. Meyers wipes?

Method Wipes?

Burt's Bees Hand Sanitizer?

[mykdsmomy]

One thing that has been my crutch, as a fellow germaphobe, are alcohol wipes. You can buy a 25 pack of little wipes from Target or anywhere. They are cheap and a sure fire way to kill germs. (I even use them on my door handles and toilet rim at home when i'm feeling especially anxious about germies).

[milopup]

Thanks for all the suggestions! One more thing, any suggestions for hand wipes that are safe to use on a baby. I have the "Wet Ones" antibacterial wipes, but are they safe to use on baby's hands, especially if baby likes to put fingers in mouth?

(P.S. I ask about hand wipes, because sometimes it is difficult to get baby to use the hand sanitizer.)

Thanks again.

[mykdsmomy]

Originally Posted by milopup

Thanks for all the suggestions! One more thing, any suggestions for hand wipes that are safe to use on a baby. I have the "Wet Ones" antibacterial wipes, but are they safe to use on baby's hands, especially if baby likes to put fingers in mouth?

(P.S. I ask about hand wipes, because sometimes it is difficult to get baby to use the hand sanitizer.)

Thanks again.

personally, I would just use regular baby wipes on her/his hands. I would worry that anything killing germs on a baby's hand would be dangerous in their mouth.....but I know your concern....(oh also, give the babe SA prior to and during the trip and probiotics....a healthy immune system trumps all the antibacterial products) good luck

[alegna]

I am *not* a germaphobe, but the chemicals are ickier to me than the germs.

I wouldn't use chemical wipes on a little one unless they were DIRTY and there was no other choice.

When dd was that age I carried a ziploc of our cloth wipes just wet with water (also what I used for diaper changes) and just wiped her with one of those if I thought she needed it.

-Angela

[tracyhos]

The alcohol swabs or pads are a good idea.

You can also buy a travel size pack of Clorox Wipes in the travel section at Target. Yeah, yeah, I know they are bad...but airplane bathrooms. Beyond ICK. Think about how many times you see people walking back to them. And then there are the people who get air-sick/ motion sickness; getting sick in them....ugh, it's just too gross to think about.

As for what to use on your babe, I would just do a baby wipe too.

Safe travel wishes to you!

[Sisyphus]

when I was dipe-ing, and now just when i travel, I'd wet my cloth wipes with a mixture of water and tea tree oil... I just keep the clean wipes in a waterproof bag and then after I use them, I put them in a wet bag. Seems "safer" to me (for babes putting things in their mouths) than clorox or alcohol wipes?? I dunno... I'm not much of a germophobe now that my kids are older (5 and 8).

[Golden]

Are you bringing a carseat? This definitely cuts down on the yuck factor for me, along with some purell. If you're worried about purell in your baby's mouth, you can wipe it off with a wet napkin after it dries/does it's thing.

[Best Feeling]

Originally Posted by milopup

even non-germaphobes are wary of airplane seats, airplane bathrooms and airport changing areas.

Not this non-germaphobe

I agree with alegna, I find the chemicals to be worse than the germs. Everything antibacterial makes me break out and causes eczema on my hands. My kids have sensitive skin too so I don't use any of that on them either.

I carry around a wet washcloth or two in a small wetbag. For airplane trips, I carry a few dry washcloths and just wet if needed.

I've always been that way and we're rarely sick (I know people are rolling their eyes now, LOL! )