Plus, your portable charger might have just gotten recalled

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Travel with a clean slate

Summer travel is exciting, but getting ready for it means thinking beyond just packing. Cleaning might not be top of mind, but it should be: prepping your space before you leave, staying germ-free while you’re away and giving everything a refresh when you return.

At NBC Select, I’ve done extensive reporting on cleaning, so with help from Robin Murphy, president of Maid Brigade, and my own reporting, I pulled together a few cleaning tips to make your trip a little easier.

Pre-Trip Checklist

  • Take out the trash and clean the disposal: Even if it’s not full, toss anything that could rot or smell. Run the disposal with ice and lemon slices to avoid fruit flies. You can also use a garbage disposal cleaner tablet, dissolving cleaning packet or pour boiling water down the drain. 

  • Run the dishwasher and laundry: “Don't leave behind crusty dishes or musty clothes. If you have time, crack the doors open so they can air out while you’re gone,” says Murphy. Run both cycles empty before you leave to eliminate residue and use Finish Dishwasher Cleaner or the Active Washing Machine Descaler. 

On-the-Go Checklist

  • Wipe it down: Disinfect your suitcase, plane seat, hotel remotes, handles and more. Lysol Wipes To-Go and Touchland Hand Sanitizer are our go-tos.

  • Using disposable bed sheets & toilet seat covers: While they aren't for everyone, disposable bed sheets can help prevent rashes and reactions to certain detergents (especially if you have sensitive skin) and other particles like dust or (worse) bed bugs. Similar to bed sheets, you should use disposable and flushable toilet seat covers, such as those from Relyo Store Toilet Seat Covers, to prevent germs in bathrooms. They come in a small pack around the size of a wallet.

Cory Fernandez

Commerce Editor

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