5 travel washroom tips

You might be wondering why we need travel washroom tips? Safe and clean public toilets & washroom are one of the biggest obstacles to deal, particularly when traveling to countries which lag in clean public infrastructure like India. First of all the number of public washrooms is not great. Next, the hygiene level is not so great, many a times bad, to be honest to the core. But having said that, should we let it stand in our way to explore the great places we have lined up for us? Not at all. We are human, and human conquer any obstacle. We (myself and family) conquered this one by developing our own “art de war” against the not so clean public sanitation systems.

So, here we reveal our secrets. The 5 awesome travel washroom tips which will be helpful for you when traveling, not only in these countries but some will help anywhere else as well  :

#1 Travel washroom tips : Choose the right spot

Avoid the most public, freely available washrooms that anyone & everyone has access to. Go for the ones that are maintained on premises of highway side restaurants and fuel stations. They will be cleaner and better maintained. Also, prefer the paid ones, they will be much more clean. Often, some high end restaurants and shopping outlets are very likely to have washrooms on their premises. So, you can go for them as well.

When we did our 2 weeks Europe trip with kid, we always went for paid washrooms whenever we or her wanted to. Although, I must add, we were always a little alert and looking out for washroom signs in the areas we visited. Since, she was just trained for using the washrooms (at age 3!) and we didn’t want her to forget the manners while we explored places :). So, where ever we went, we tried to keep an eye on washrooms in the locality and that did help. In India, Asian countries and African countries, you might not have the luxury of safe and clean washrooms. So, the above tip will come useful.

We have traveled a lot on the Bangalore – Mysore highway, visiting Coorg, Ooty, Kabini, B R hills. We often stop at a Kamat restaurant, where there is a petrol pump and a Mac Donalds as well in the same premises (after crossing wonderla). And I have mostly found the washrooms to be clean here. We have also frequented the Bangalore Kodaikanal drive. And again, just after Hosur there is a petrol pump and a few restaurants. The washroom there is often clean. But alas, that was not the case on my Shimla – Manali trip. Often, I found the washrooms in pathetic situation. When I am traveling with my small kids, for them I prefer potty seats than such restrooms.

#2 Travel washroom tips : Time it well

If you spotted the place just being cleaned.. or the place has just opened up at the start of the day….this is your best chance…bang on!! Sometimes you might need to wait, and have patience. The wait will be worth it. Rather than stopping anywhere, choose the right spot as indicated above.

 

#3 Travel washroom tips : Sanitize before you use

Always carry a toilet sanitizer spray with you. And sanitize before you use, my family does that even if the place was just cleaned up, right in front of our eyes. As, you never know the level of cleanliness you are likely to encounter. So, why to take the risk with your health and personal hygiene.

Off late I have started swearing by this product that I found on amazon – Pee Safe – The name says it all. I always buy this pack of 3 and keep it with me all the time. Actually, there is one in each of my purses. So that whenever I am grabbing one even to go to some local places, malls etc. there is always one in my bag. And I never forget taking it with me when on my travel. Believe me, it has been a life saver. And so far, yes, we have managed to stay safe – no infections !! This is a must have.

 

It comes in single packs as well, and in 300ml pack and 75ml pack. But I prefer the 50ml pack for travel as it is small and fits in well in the smallest of handbag that you carry with you. There’s this pack of 3 of 50ml with different scents. And the scent is really good. I have tried all of these, and I just love the smell.

 

#4 Travel washroom tips : Carry your essentials

The next most important of the travel washroom tips is this one. Don’t expect the washrooms to be loaded with rolls of toilet paper, tissues, hand wash and hand sanitizers. Have your own travel friendly small packs of these essentials in a ziplock and carry with you when you pay a visit to the washroom. After traveling for a while, I learnt this. And now I have a small pack of my own travel essentials in a small carry pouch. This pouch sits in my cupboard, and whenever I am going anywhere, I just have to grab this pouch. And keep it in the handbag that I am carrying with me. That’s it! In one shot, I have all my travel sanitary essentials in one place. So, what is there in this pouch?

1. One Pee Safe – my all time favorite toilet seat sanitizer.
2. A small pack of alcohol free facial wet wipes – Himalayas wet wipes or Freshca wet wipes 
3. One small pack of dry tissues. In fact, I have bought this bulk pack of origami dry tissues online and now I am not going to go off supply for a long time.
4. A small hand sanitizer (This comes in multiple scents, so do check out the ones you like)
5. A couple of sanitary napkins or liner in this separate cute pouch to protect them from any spillage or damage from the other liquids.
6. Last but not the least, this beautiful pouch to hold all the above together :

 

This pouch comes in many different designs. So, do checkout the other designs when browsing. Now, when I am back from my travel, or outing, all I have to do is take this pouch out of the bag and put it in its designated location, to grab it easily the next time. So simple!!

#5 Travel washroom tips : Try to keep the requirement under control

Our final of the travel washroom tips that we hope will help you out. Visit the washroom in your hotel or home stay just before heading out. And if you are heading back to your hotel or homestay anytime soon, it will be best to wait until you reach back. Don’t rush, have patience !! Sounds strange, but after having seen one of my own close relatives suffer from four consecutive strikes of urine track infection because she ended up using a public toilet without any other measures mentioned above, I will say, its totally worth to be equipped and play your strategy….happy journey…!!!! And when you are prepared, it’s not at all a botheration anymore. No matter which remotest part of the world you are visiting!

 

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