Questions tagged [hygiene]

Questions relating to cleanliness and prevention of diseases and infections while travelling.

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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?
vico's user avatar
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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.
Handsome Nerd's user avatar
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), ...
AnyDisplayName's user avatar
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 ...
hippietrail's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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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 ...
Mikael Dúi Bolinder's user avatar
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 ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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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 ...
Yaakov Ellis's user avatar
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1 answer
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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?
Xnero's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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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 ...
user42493's user avatar
  • 211
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.
Kuba's user avatar
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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 ...
Village's user avatar
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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.
Lucie's user avatar
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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:...
gatorback's user avatar
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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 ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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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 ...
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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 ...
Rohit Jain's user avatar
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 ...
RyanfaeScotland's user avatar
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 ...
Dan's user avatar
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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 ...
user avatar
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 ...
mbloch's user avatar
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1 answer
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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?
gparyani's user avatar
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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 ...
Carl's user avatar
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8 votes
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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 ...
Travelling Juggernaut's user avatar
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 ...
Andreas Grapentin's user avatar
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 ...
spacetyper's user avatar
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 ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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4 answers
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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 ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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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, ...
Andrew Grimm's user avatar
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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 ...
problemofficer - n.f. Monica's user avatar
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 ...
Suncatcher's user avatar
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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 ...
emmby's user avatar
  • 491
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 ...
Lemuel Gulliver's user avatar
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 (...
Bohemian's user avatar
  • 181
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 ...
user avatar
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 ...
user59017's user avatar
  • 381
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 ...
Andrew Grimm's user avatar
  • 22.9k
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 ...
Itai's user avatar
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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 ...
shirish's user avatar
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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 ...
shirish's user avatar
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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.
Ulkoma's user avatar
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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 ...
Andrew Grimm's user avatar
  • 22.9k
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 ...
Andrew Grimm's user avatar
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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 ...
hippietrail's user avatar
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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 ...
hippietrail's user avatar
  • 78.3k
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 ...
Summer's user avatar
  • 3,585
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 ...
Gayot Fow's user avatar
  • 84.8k
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 ...
Willeke's user avatar
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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. ...
yuritsuki's user avatar
  • 4,424
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? ...
mts's user avatar
  • 26.2k
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 ...
Nzall's user avatar
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