Travel can be dirty at times. Think about bands who are on the road, touring for weeks or months at a time. There are a lineup of stories about the artists of these bands neglecting showering. Who knows exactly why they do it? Maybe they’re staying in their van and have no access to a shower, and maybe it’s like the dirty, lucky sock concept. The dirtier you get, the better the show will be?
In any case, traveling can be known for making a person feel grimy and in need of a good, hot, long bath or shower to take away the dirt of crowded airports, condensed airspaces, and shared everything else. When you’re traveling long hours and have no access to a rest area where you can freshen yourself up the normal way, you have to get a bit creative.
If you’re gearing up to travel, pack your bags, get your medical affairs in line, get your social affairs in line, make sure you have your paperwork and slip on shoes, and take these tips for keeping yourself feeling fresh while traveling:
Pack 2 Sets of Toothpaste and A Toothbrush
When you’re traveling, it’s natural that you bring toothpaste and a toothbrush with you, but often there is a temptation to put it into your checked bag. If you want to stay fresh while traveling try bringing two sets of the hygiene items with you. Get a little travel sized tube of toothpaste to stick into your carry on, and buy an extra toothbrush as well.
This way, when you’ve been on a plane for 5 hours and you come into town, or if you take a red eye, you can brush your teeth and feel at least a bit more refreshed than you did before. So whether you are going on a 15-day backpacking trip across the mountains, or planning to rent a camper van in Iceland and road trip with family, a small portable hygiene kit is a must. It’s amazing what freshly brushed teeth can do for the human spirit when it’s feeling dirty.
Bring Dry Shampoo
Everybody knows the feeling of having greasy hair. For some people it happens sooner than for others, but in any case, dry shampoo will be your best friend on the road. It doesn’t matter if you’re a female or a male, if you haven’t been able to shower in a couple days and your hair is showing it, just use a little dry shampoo and you’ll feel a lot better about the whole situation.
Pack Wipes
There are some airports that have showers that you can use, but if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to pay for the service, you can always pack yourself a little thing of wipes. In a pinch, it’s smart to have something that will take the dirt off. Touch up the spots that need extra attention and while you won’t feel squeaky clean, a little bit goes a long way in helping you feel fresh while traveling.