Questions tagged [hygiene]
Questions relating to cleanliness and prevention of diseases and infections while travelling.
145
questions
3
votes
0
answers
114
views
To find shower in Latvia
Is there any gasoline stations in Latvia that provides shower? I know I can get shower in swimming pool, but I need something that costs 5 Eur maximum. Where I can take shower in Riga?
5
votes
0
answers
157
views
Do they wash the decorative pillowcases?
There are many pillows on the bed in many hotels (six or more), do they wash all pillowcases including the decorative ones? I want to hear from an insider.
65
votes
4
answers
12k
views
Why can't I wash away soapy hands?
If it is more appropriate for Chemistry Stack Exchange, please let me know, although it happens when I am traveling.
I am very thorough when washing my hands (I prefer bars of soap to liquid soap), ...
22
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What is and is not appropriate for eating fried/grilled chicken and fish at Malay eateries in Malaysia?
This question is just about Malay culture and food. I know Indian and Chinese Malaysian food culture and etiquette probably varies, and I have more experience with those, so trying to keep this ...
4
votes
1
answer
332
views
How to get clean bed linens at hotels?
At the hotel I'm staying at right now I've noticed that the bed linens aren't changed when the room and bed are made. Towels are changed only if put on the floor but that isn't unusual.
How can I ...
26
votes
3
answers
9k
views
What's the use for this shower drain cover?
I'm staying in an apartment in Mexico and found this mysterious shower drain cover/cap/lid in the bathroom, made out of plastic:
Is it to prevent insects from crawling out? To prevent bad smells from ...
52
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Is it safe to drink the water from the fountains found all over the older parts of Rome?
When I visited Rome and walked around the older sections, I saw many different types of fountains that were constantly running with water. Some went into the ground, some collected in basins, etc.
Is ...
3
votes
1
answer
631
views
Are there any shower facilities at Heathrow Airport?
I have a very early flight in Heathrow airport Terminal 4 and was wondering if there are any shower facilities at Heathrow airport and how much they will cost?
5
votes
1
answer
353
views
What is this item used for?
What is the following item use for?
I got it with a nail polisher, and bunch of other hygiene items. Here's what was included:
one nail file
two nail clippers
ear cleaner
cotton pliers
small ...
3
votes
1
answer
966
views
What is this lever in Argentinian toilets?
I've seen it in some places in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's not used for flushing the toilet, there's a separate button for that.
4
votes
3
answers
902
views
Can customers really request a return of restaurant food in the USA?
In the US version of the TV show Kitchen Nightmares, I see customers returning food for any reason. But when I am in the US, I pointed out problems with the food in restaurants. They apologized but ...
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Public Shower in Mallorca [closed]
does anyone have a tip for a public shower on Mallorca? We will travel only in the car. Thank you.
6
votes
2
answers
264
views
Standard for Body Odor
Is there a standard for body odor? A family was denied passage on flight from MIA because of alleged body odor. Some cases are clear, others are not.
This family vehemently denies the odor claim:...
5
votes
1
answer
286
views
When is it unacceptable to use accessible/disabled toilet stalls?
While traveling around the world, one will often stumble upon bathrooms for people who are physically disadvantaged:
Here in North America, I wouldn't think twice before using these bathrooms, as I ...
3
votes
1
answer
23k
views
How to use dual flush button in toilet?
I've seen this thing first time in my new room. Dual flush tank (see image 2, it's not an actual photo, but where I live has similar thing as this one).
Usually, I saw a flush with either a liver or ...
11
votes
4
answers
15k
views
How to clean yourself after you've used this style of western toilet in India? [duplicate]
I saw this type of toilet (see image 2) in North India. The commode is same as most of the others. But I couldn't find the jet (see image 1) which is generally attached with the seat.
So I'm ...
39
votes
3
answers
20k
views
Should I put toilet paper in airplane toilets?
During a recent international flight my 4 year old daughter informed me that I shouldn't put toilet paper in the toilet but should instead use the bin provided.
My gut told me she was wrong, however ...
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How much toilet paper can I flush without clogging an European toilet?
I am from a country where the toilet paper is not flushed but thrown to a bin close to the toilet. I think that the European system is more hygienic, but I always have this question when I use the ...
39
votes
8
answers
18k
views
My seatmate has digestive problems causing unpleasant smell. What ought the cabin crew do?
After my mom's Air Transat flight took off, her seatmate started to fart stinkingly. She can't tactfully complain to the cabin crew, as her seatmate'd know that she snitched on him. Fully opening ...
2
votes
1
answer
225
views
Regulations regarding cleaning of plane water cooking equipment?
Inspired by this question over at MiYodeya, does anyone know of specific practices or regulations regarding the use and cleaning of water urns on planes?
Specific questions would be
are water urns ...
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is there a place I can take a shower in or near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport?
Are there any places where I can take a shower in or near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport? If so, how much does it cost?
28
votes
8
answers
22k
views
How suicidal are electric "suicide showers?"
Some people refer to the showers commonly found in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia which have an electric heating element built into the head as "suicide showers" due to the apparent risk of ...
8
votes
1
answer
867
views
Locating Public Toilets in Europe
During my travels i often walk a lot and google has not been very helpful in locating Public Toilets.
Any there apps or maps available for locating Public toilets in Europe [Germany, Iceland, Czech ...
19
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What to do with long facial hair in the onsen?
I have been told that, when soaking in the Japanese onsen, the hair must not touch the water, so people with long hair tie it to a knot. Does the same principle apply to facial hair? I have a goatee ...
11
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Do airlines reuse in-flight blankets?
Question:
Is there any evidence that any of the world's largest airlines1 (e.g. American Airlines, Delta, United) reuse the blankets that are often handed out on international flights, with or without ...
5
votes
1
answer
232
views
Can you get a disease from sitting on a public toilet seat? [closed]
Many travelers I know are extremely wary of using public toilets while sitting down, because they're afraid of catching a germ from the toilet seat. But is it really true that public toilets are ...
5
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Why do many public bathrooms in Israel lack toilet seats?
I recently (during July) went on a bus tour to Northern Israel and during the trip we've made a few stops for snacks and a toilet break. When I went to visit the the bathroom, I've noticed that while ...
1
vote
1
answer
264
views
Do ear wax cleaning salons provide related, similar services?
Do ear wax cleaning salons in Japan provide any related, similar services, such as trimming of ear hairs?
Just to clarify, I'm after actual hygiene related services, rather than karaoke, dating, ...
35
votes
14
answers
40k
views
How am I supposed to keep a toilet bowl clean without a toilet brush?
I am used to cleaning the toilet bowl with a toilet brush after use. In several hotels that I stayed in Asia there was none. I don't suppose they expect me to call the room service every time I use ...
12
votes
5
answers
18k
views
Finding public shower in Europe
While there are plenty of questions on SE Travel like Where to shower in X or Y I wasn't able to find a common approach to finding cheap or free public showers. For example, how do long-haul truckers ...
25
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Keeping men's razor blades sharp for traveling
When I'm at home I use a double edged safety razor to shave. TSA won't let me fly with safety razors, so when I travel I use a Mach 3 razor.
My problem is that when I open a package of Mach 3 razors ...
9
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Bathroom emergency when seatbelt sign is lit? [duplicate]
By US federal law (or maybe regulation? not sure which) it is not allowed to use the bathroom or get out your seat while the seatbelt sign is lit.
Thank god, it has never happened to me, but what if ...
5
votes
0
answers
978
views
Protocol for opposite gender parent accompanying young children into public toilet [closed]
I am a father of 2 quite young girls. Sometimes when we're out they need to use public toilets.
I usually take them into the female toilets, because I don't want them gawking at men openly urinating (...
45
votes
4
answers
9k
views
So what can I do to avoid being "that" passenger with bad hygiene?
What can I do if I'm seated next to a person with bad hygiene on an airplane?
I've been that passenger several times, typically on connecting flights after a transoceanic leg. I really try hard ...
39
votes
7
answers
14k
views
What can I do if I'm seated next to a person with bad hygiene on an airplane?
Slightly related: What can you do about being forced to sit next to a very large passenger?
I think the title says it all. I have, what you could call, a sensitive nose. I absolutely despise people ...
5
votes
1
answer
115
views
Does Korea have any mud festivals in autumn?
I've just learnt about the Boryeong Mud Festival, which sounds kind of cool. Unfortunately, it's held in late July (21 July to 30 July in 2017), which Wikivoyage describes as being fairly hot and ...
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Proper technique to wash laundry in hotel sink?
What are the proper steps to wash clothes using a hotel sink?
Assume that I have no supply of proper laundry detergent either. Can bar soap be used? What about liquid soap or shampoo? Which would ...
20
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What is a 'sparrow bath' and how do you do it in airport bathroom?
I read in How to hide your bodily odors after a long flight? that you can take a 'sparrow bath' to freshen in an airport bathroom when traveling.
How do you take the sparrow bath?
How do you ...
22
votes
1
answer
16k
views
OK, we are all adults here, so how do the doors and controls work on an airplane toilet?
I had connecting flights on two Boeing Aircraft -
Point A - B - A Boeing 777-300 ER
Point B - C - A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
The first one was a short haul flight
While the second one was a longish ...
47
votes
1
answer
15k
views
Why can't we use the toilet when the train isn't moving in some countries?
I am not sure if the sign in the toilet said that we shouldn't use it if the train was not moving or that we shouldn't do so if the train was at the station.
9
votes
6
answers
9k
views
Is sweating more common during air travel?
When I'm travelling by air, my clothes (underwear in particular) seem to collect more sweat than usual. This happens even when the environment is not particularly warm, I'm not wearing a jumper or ...
16
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Is this sign in a Mongolian airport saying you can dispose of toilet paper in the bin?
At this toilet at Chiingis Khaan airport (ULN) in Ulaanbaatar, which had a bin for toilet paper, there was a sign appearing to say that it's ok to either use the toilet, or the rubbish bin, for ...
16
votes
10
answers
7k
views
How to avoid re-stinking my freshly washed laundry when I only have one laundry bag?
So you were smart enough to remember to take a nice big tough bin liner on your travels to carry your dirty clothes in to keep them separate from your clean clothes.
Now it's laundry day. So just ...
15
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Where can "public showers" be found in Taiwan?
I've been travelling on foot and by hitchhiking and sleeping in a tent in many countries and now I'm doing so in Taiwan.
But in some countries it's really easy to keep fresh.
In Turkey I was often ...
8
votes
2
answers
666
views
How big is the bed bug problem in the US?
This November I will be travelling to Texas, USA and am planning on staying in both Airbnb's and motels/inns. My partner is scared the quality (regarding cleanliness and bugs) of the motels/inns will ...
46
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Taming the nightmare of public toilets in the UK
Public toilets in the UK are established and maintained by the local authorities, most commonly local councils. This is great for people that advocate local autonomy, but a hellish nightmare for ...
24
votes
10
answers
11k
views
As we are all adults here, how do I politely indicate that I need the toilet?
I am from an area where people just say they need the loo to pee or poo.
In formal situations, when meeting just strangers, we are a bit less open and call it 'need the toilet' but I know that in ...
36
votes
11
answers
57k
views
What's the easiest way to relieve oneself in a car?
Ok, I know we're all adults here, but this is something that happens inevitably in most family trips I believe; it's occurred in our own family trips.
You're driving on the road to your destination. ...
159
votes
11
answers
170k
views
OK, we are all adults here, so what is a bidet for and how do I use it?
Confession time: I am from one of these barbaric countries where the use of the bidet is not widespread. So I have no idea...
Question 1: What is the bidet good for?
Question 2: How do I use it?
...
19
votes
8
answers
6k
views
How do you use a traditional hot-air hand dryer so your hands are actually dry afterwards? [closed]
In many locations around the world, you can see dryers like this1:
These dryers are being phased out in favor of air-jet dryers that involve inserting your hand in an opening. However, many locations ...