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10 things aeroplanes aren’t cleaning as they should

<h2>Illness breeding ground</h2> <p>Sitting amongst strangers in a confined space for any amount of time just feels like a breeding ground for illness. But how well are these aircrafts being cleaned? The answer may make you pack your own sanitising wipes ahead of your next flight.</p> <h2>Seatbelt buckles</h2> <p>Unless you ask the person sitting next to you to buckle your seatbelt (which we don’t recommend), you’re going to touch that piece of metal at least twice during a flight, once before takeoff, and once when you land. Unfortunately, these oft-used items aren’t getting the spick and span treatment you’d like. According to Travelmath, the average aeroplane seatbelt buckle tested for 230 colony-forming units (CFU) per square inch. </p> <h2>Seatback pockets</h2> <p>That slim seatback pocket looks innocent enough at first glance. After all, it holds your passenger safety information and inflight magazine. But the cloth that covers it isn’t getting much attention from cabin cleaners. According to a study conducted at Auburn University, the pocket is pretty darn disgusting. Seeing as passengers often stuff trash in that pocket (think used tissues and dirty diapers), it sees its fair share of bacteria. In fact, their study showed that the germs found in this location survived the longest out of any surface on an aeroplane at around seven days. </p> <h2>Tray tables</h2> <p>Cabin cleaners only do a speedy wipe down of aeroplanes in between flights because they simply aren’t given enough time to do more during these quick turnovers. Believe it or not, tray tables aren’t typically among the surfaces that get cleaned between domestic flights, according to the Wall Street Journal. They typically are only addressed during overnight cleanings. </p> <h2>Headrest</h2> <p>A different study of airline hygiene conducted by Marketplace and analysed in a laboratory at the University of Guelph cited a different surface as being the most bacteria-laden – the headrest. According to their study, the “highest total aerobic count, hemolytic bacteria, and E.coli” were found here. The headrest is nearly impossible to avoid unless you bring something to slip over it, which makes sense that it would come into contact with the most germs.</p> <h2>Blankets</h2> <p>Complimentary blankets are pretty much a thing of the past among airlines these days, particularly in economy class, and that might just be a good thing. Back in 2008, the Wall Street Journal revealed that these once common aeroplane items were only washed every five to 30 days. When flying, BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket). </p> <h2>The floor</h2> <p>A quick vacuum job in between flights does not a clean carpet make, especially when you have hundreds of pairs of shoes traipsing up and down the aisles of an aeroplane day-in and day-out. According to an article in USA Today, cleanliness isn’t regulated by the FAA. It’s standard that a plane goes through a deep clean about once a month and perhaps then that carpeting will get extra attention. Even so, it’s best to steer clear of placing your belongings on the floor if you can help it. Once you’ve reached your destination, here’s how to have a healthy and clean hotel stay.</p> <h2>Bathroom surfaces</h2> <p>Yes, cabin cleaners do a wipe down of lavatories after an aircraft’s passengers have deplaned, but think about how many people use the facilities during the flight and how many hours go by before that cleaning happens. In an interview with TIME, University of Arizona microbiologist Dr Charles Gerba said, “It’s hard to beat the restroom because the water shuts off so people can’t complete hand washing. The sinks are so small that people with large hands can’t even fit them fully underneath the faucets.”</p> <h2>Menus/safety information pamphlets</h2> <p>We’ve already addressed the icky stuff that often contaminates seatback pockets, but consider the material that’s actually supposed to be in this area. With barely ten to 15 minutes to tidy a cabin, according to the New York Times, cleaners don’t have time to wipe down every menu and safety pamphlet in those pockets. When you consider how often they are touched by human hands (and the garbage that gets tossed into the pockets), this literature is a breeding ground for gross.</p> <h2>Overhead air vent</h2> <p>Adjusting that overhead air vent is something most passengers do to personalise their limited space for comfort, but who is cleaning that surface? Likely no one. It’s one of the dirtiest spots on an aeroplane according to Travelmath.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/travel/flights/10-things-aeroplanes-arent-cleaning-they-should" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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12 ‘healthy’ hygiene habits that are actually bad for you

<p><strong>Cleaning out your ears with cotton buds</strong></p> <p>Some people swear on cotton buds to dig out ear gunk, but medical experts will warn you not to try it. And for good reason – those seemingly harmless cotton swabs have caused countless catastrophes, from punctured eardrums and ear infections to even hearing loss. According to audiologist, Brande Plotnick, the ear canal doesn’t even need to be “cleaned.” Enough water enters the ear canal during showers to naturally slough away wax that has accumulated.</p> <p><strong>Bubble baths/bath bombs</strong></p> <p>Soaking in scented suds seems like the perfect way to unwind after a long day, but you may just find yourself with irritated skin and a nasty yeast infection. The fragrances and harsh detergents inside your favourite bath bombs can strip protective oils from the vagina and mess with the natural pH balance of the skin. Dr Jen Gunter tells Safe Bee that bubble baths increase your odds for uncomfortable dryness, vaginal infections, and even bladder infections.</p> <p><strong>Douching</strong></p> <p>Gynaecologists everywhere agree that douching isn’t exactly recommended for your vaginal health. Wendie A. Howland, principal of Howland Health Consulting, tells Reader’s Digest that douching disturbs the normal pH and washes out beneficial bacteria, leading to an array of possible infections. A study from Environmental Health even found that douching products increase your exposure to harmful chemicals called phthalates, which can disrupt your hormones, increase your risk of chronic disease, and lead to reproductive problems down the line.</p> <p><strong>Hand sanitiser</strong></p> <p>If you’re a habitual pumper, you may actually be doing more harm to your health than good. Triclosan, a synthetic compound found in hand sanitiser, is a poor (and dangerous) replacement for soap and water. Triclosan has been linked to disrupted hormonal development, a reduction in bacterial resistance and an increase in allergies. According to the Australian Department of Health, it can also irritate the eyes and skin.</p> <p><strong>Air dryers</strong></p> <p>Sure, air dryers are better for the planet than paper towels, but research from the Mayo Clinic shows that paper towels easily trump electric dryers when it comes to personal hygiene. Electric air dryers fail at wiping away the leftover bacteria after washing, and even worse, they can literally spread it to the entire room, creating a contagious mist that contains many types of faecal bacteria. This reach is pretty powerful – studies found a substantial number of airborne bacteria within a radius of approximately two metres from the user.</p> <p><strong>Relaxing in the shower</strong></p> <p>There’s nothing like lingering in a long, hot shower, especially first thing in the morning. But is it good for your skin? Dr Alan J. Parks warns that hot showers strip protective oils from your skin, so you should always keep them as short as you can. Better yet, take them at night – hot showers are actually most beneficial at night, according to science. The cooling process that happens afterward slows down the body’s metabolic activities (like digestion, breathing, and heart rate), making for an easier sleep transition.</p> <p><strong>Washing your hair every day</strong></p> <p>While most of us have been conditioned (pun intended) to rinse and repeat ad infinitum, your locks may be paying a toll. Washing your hair on a daily basis strips away the natural oils that the hair needs, leading to dry, brittle locks, even if you have oily hair.</p> <p><strong>Moisturising too much</strong></p> <p>If you have dry, itchy skin, it seems natural to want to slather on the lotion every chance you get. But this may not always be the smartest alternative. According to the experts at Garnier, applying excessive moisturiser at night can create a tolerance, which trains the skin to produce less natural emollient, making it even drier in the long run. This results in a vicious cycle where your skin is no longer producing necessary nutrients, which only causes you to moisturise more. To prevent the problem, apply just a thin coat of moisturiser or try using an oil-free balm instead.</p> <p><strong>Brushing your teeth right after a meal</strong></p> <p>Sticklers for oral hygiene may make a dash for the toothbrush after every meal, but that’s a mistake. That’s because certain foods, especially those containing citric acid, can weaken tooth enamel, and brushing too soon after eating damages the enamel in its already weakened state. Mayo Clinic recommends waiting at least 30 minutes after a meal so saliva can neutralise the acid in your mouth and strengthen the enamel on those chompers.</p> <p><strong>Exfoliating too much</strong></p> <p>You may feel like you’re taking extra good care of your skin with frequent scrubs, but in reality, you could be damaging your epidermis (the outermost layer of your face), stripping the pores of their much-needed barrier against the environment. According to Dermatology Alliance, your glands produce more oil to compensate, and as the skin fluctuates between too dry and too oily, it gets stuck in a cycle of imbalance. Ditch the scrub and switch to chemical exfoliants that are free of parabens and safe to use on a weekly basis.</p> <p><strong>Sneezing into your hand</strong></p> <p>Covering your sneeze with your hand is better than sneezing into the abyss, right? Nope. Using your hands and subsequently touching food, money, or other people is a clear recipe for contagion. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most serious respiratory illnesses are spread by touching objects with contaminated hands. The Australian Department of Health advises that you sneeze into your elbow.</p> <p><strong>Spritzing fragrance in underwear</strong></p> <p>Although most people have enough sense not to spray perfume directly into the nether regions, you might try deodorising your underwear instead. The truth is that anything chemical near the genitals can interfere with your natural pH, and it’s likely you’ll be stuck with a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or urinary tract infection (which ironically, all end up causing worse smells than what you started with). Do yourself a favour and let your self-cleaning vagina do the work – it knows what it’s doing.</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-24a0eac6-7fff-617e-4982-daf64715b379">Written by Hana Hong. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/12-healthy-hygiene-habits-that-are-actually-bad-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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The 10 cleanest airlines in the world revealed

<p>Planes, as many of us know, are not the most sanitary of places.</p> <p>As disgusting as it is to admit, a bunch of people sitting in a stuffy seat day in and day out, wiping their greasy palms all over the arm rests and in-flight screen entertainment can make an environment seriously dirty.</p> <p>While it can be worrying, rest assured that there are some pretty fantastic airlines out there who you can rely on for a clean flight.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worldairlineawards.com/" target="_blank"><em>Skytrax’s World Airline Awards</em> </a>has announced the cleanest carriers of 2018 after passenger’s rated various airlines by the “standard and quality of cleanliness of their aircraft cabin.”</p> <p>The cleanliness of tables, carpet, panels, washrooms, cabin panels and seats were all factors considered in the results.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the world’s cleanest airlines.</p> <p>Have you ever flown with any of these airlines? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

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