The last epidemic that we faced was the H1N1 virus, also known as influenza. This, the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous other predecessor viruses that caused epidemics are fatal and highly contagious microorganisms. Nowadays, wherever we go, we have to maintain total hygiene and sanitization protocols.
However, humans can disinfect themselves no matter where they go, but how to disinfect luggage after travel? Well, it is not a tricky business, and if you maintain proper steps, then the chances of you being affected drop pretty drastically.
Apart from that, we have provided several useful information regarding this and any other related topic. So, keep reading, my friend.
Why Is It Necessary to Disinfect Luggage?
Well, if we are specifically conversing about COVID-19, then we have to ensure that even our clothes are properly sanitized and disinfected. So, you see, the problem is not only keeping yourself clean, but you have to make sure all the objects around you are sterilized.
And there is a very big reason for this. You should know, Coronavirus is a very unpredictable virus. It has the same incubation period for adults, infants, and the older generation. In short, no one is safe from the virus.
Furthermore, the viruses’ incubation period varies from 5-6 days, but there are instances where the symptoms surface after a single day or after 14 days of being affected. To sum it up, the symptoms of the virus are pretty troublesome to catch.
Couple that with its deadly contagiousness, and you end up with a virus that requires you to be cautious about almost everything. Now, if you are moving from one place to the other, then the chances of you catching this deadly virus rise exponentially.
You see, the virus is lurking at every corner, and it is so minuscule that you won’t be able to tell the difference. Plus, its hazardous attributes make it even easier for someone to catch it, especially if you move around a lot.
Anyways, to save yourself from harm’s way, you have to sterilize everything, including the luggage of your kids.
How to Disinfect Luggage After Travelling?
Sterilizing your luggage is not rocket science, and here you will get to know all the essential steps to ensure you are doing the task perfectly. So, are you still confused? Here is the step-by-step walkthrough on how you can disinfect your best luggage for suits and others. So, let us get started on the work!
Step 1: Do Not Bring It Inside Your Home
Whether it arrived by plane, ship, cruise, train, or in a private car, the chance of your luggage coming into contact with others is considerably high. Now, you never know what these individuals are carrying with them, and it is always wise to be on the safe side.
So, after you are done traveling, the first thing that you need to do is make sure not to bring your luggage inside. If you have a family waiting for you at home, then following this procedure becomes even more imperative. Even if you are living alone, for your safety, it is essential that you abstain from doing this.
Instead, we suggest that you keep the luggage in an isolated area for a couple of weeks. If you have essentials inside the luggage, then what you can do is clean the surface before granting it passage to your home.
However, if it is absolutely impossible to live without the contents, we suggest that you leave the luggage in quarantine before bringing it home.
Step 2: Unpack
After the first step, the next one would be unpacking. All your essentials are inside the luggage, which keeps them in a safe position. And when you are disinfecting it, you would have to wash the entire thing. You do not want your essential documents to be destroyed, right?
That is why the smartest thing, in this case, would be to remove them. You shall put the clothes into the washing machine immediately, and the documents should be sprayed with alcoholic sanitizers.
The reason behind using this chemical is the fact that alcohol vaporizes at room temperatures. Hence, your documents will be unharmed.
Use the same thing on your perfumes, watches, etc.
Step 3: Start From the Areas That Were Touched
There are some areas that have been touched more time than others. These areas are the handles, the straps, zips, and anywhere that either involves moving, holding, or carrying the baggage. If it comes with a safety system, then make sure to keep them clean as well.
Hence, let us start from there. Now, cleaning and disinfecting are completely two different things. Therefore, to disinfect it, you will have to take a wipe and an alcoholic solution (the alcohol percentage of that solution should be at least 60% or more).
One of the protocols of how to disinfect luggage after travel in COVID-19 period states that you must use a sanitizer to clean your luggage. You should know, if you use such a concentrated amount of solution, then the viruses’ chances of surviving become less pretty drastically.
Anyways, you should start with the handles. Wipe them thoroughly; after that, move to zippers and all the other areas that have a higher probability of being contaminated due to being touched.
Step 4: Disinfecting the Exterior
Once you are done with the previous step, it is time that we ensure that the outer areas are also disinfected. We have to use a similar method of disinfecting for the outer surface as well.
Now, this might take some time, but we suggest that you do this part pretty carefully. You see, the virus can be attained from the most improbable spots. And it is always wise to be safe than sorry. Hence, you should be patient during this time, and you should ensure that you are cleaning every corner.
Step 5: Sterilize the Inside
Since you are done with the outside, it is time that we move to the inside of your luggage. Now, when you are working on the inside, you have two choices. Either you can clean the entire thing just, which is a lengthy process, or you can just disinfect it. We shall be talking about both of them in detail.
We shall start with the easier option. Now, if you are only disinfecting the insides, it is quite similar to what you were doing to the exterior. However, the inside is made of a different material. So, in this case, we would suggest that you spray the solution first and then rub the insides.
Let’s address the lengthier process. If you are planning to clean the entire thing, then the first thing that you have to do is use a vacuum cleaner. You never know what is lurking on the inside, and using the vacuum will ensure no minuscule thing will harm you, including bed bugs.
After you are satisfied with that, it is time that we clean & disinfect the interior at the same time. To do that, we would advise you to fill up a bucket and pour in the solution (the alcoholic one). Mix them adequately, and after that, use a rag to wipe them.
Next, you will use the rag and start with one end. When you are moving the rug, make sure that you are moving along one boundary in a straight line. Keep creating lines that overlap one other until you reach the other end. After that, wash the entire thing with water.
You now know how to clean your luggage and sanitize it at the same time.
Step 6: Let it Dry
Now, if you are just disinfecting it, there is no need to let it dry. Like we had previously stated, alcohol vaporizes at room temperature. Hence, there is no point in keeping in the sunlight. Nevertheless, if you want, then you can!
The Coronavirus isn’t comfortable with hot environments, and hence, keeping it in the sun might be a good thing. On the other hand, if you are completely cleaning the item, then it is vital that you let it dry. All you have to do is place it in a sunny area and leave it there for some time.
Step 7: Keep it Away from the Bedroom
Even after you have followed all these steps, the chances of virus residual are still there. You see, the size of COVID-19 is in nanometers. In short, it is practically impossible to see with naked eyes. Thus, there is no sure method of ensuring zero virus contamination when you are cleaning or sterilizing it.
Therefore, if you want to make your luggage Coronavirus and any other virus-free, then the first thing that you should do is bag it and store it away. Earlier, we had stated that the Coronavirus has an unsteady incubation period and can last for roughly 14 days.
All you have to do now is keep it away from you for around two or two-and-a-half weeks, and that should be more than enough to ensure your safety. By the way, in case you are wondering how to sanitize guest luggage, you should follow the same rules as discussed above.
Final Words
Times are pretty tough, and in such dire situations, we have to be fully prepared to do what it takes to ensure our safety. And for someone who is always on the get-go, knowing how to disinfect luggage after travel is one of the few initiatives you can take to ensure your safety and the security of your loved ones.
Remember, one minor slip-up can take you to the hospital and can cost someone’s life too.