Expert reveals the VERY common travel item that's 58 times dirtier than public toilet seats - and how to clean it properly
Ever get home from a holiday and throw your suitcase on the bed to unpack?
You'll live to regret it, according to an expert, who claims that suitcase wheels can carry more germs than a public toilet seat.
As part of a new study, researchers swabbed a suitcase's wheels, base and trolley handle to test for bacteria.
And it's not good news.
A suitcase's wheels can carry almost 58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat, according to the research.
Microbiologist, Amy-May Pointer, says: 'Your suitcase wheels could harbour more bacteria than a public toilet seat, and the underside of your bag isn't far behind.'
The wheels are the dirtiest due to their constant contact with pavements and toilet floors, but the base of a suitcase is also pretty filthy. Researchers found that black mould could easily hitch a ride on a holidaymaker's luggage.
'Suitcases, especially their wheels and bottoms, are germ magnets that can out-germ even a toilet,' explains Amy.
'Yet with basic hygiene steps, you can prevent these travelling microbes from joining you in bed or on the dinner table.'
How to keep your suitcase clean
Store it correctly
The expert recommends always using a hotel's luggage rack to store your bag. If the hotel doesn't have one, tourists can put plastic shower caps on the the bag's wheels.
Amy adds: 'Covering those wheels can stop them from spreading bacteria across your carpet or bedding.'
Steer clear of obvious muck
They can be tricky to avoid if you're in a mad rush to the airport, but try to steer clear or wheeling your case through a puddle.
'The less gunk your wheels pick up, the less you'll have to worry about,' advises Amy.
Wash your hands after lugging bags
Suitcase handles can easily pick up germs during a handle. The easiest way to avoid this is to make sure your hands are clean and washed at all times.
Amy says: 'Treat your hands as if you just touched those surfaces, because indirectly, you did.'
Wipe your suitcase
The minute you get home, Amy recommends cleaning your suitcase with a disinfectant wipe or soapy cloth.
Clean bags
Many suitcases have detachable wheels. Tourists can soak this in warm soapy water and wipe hard cases with 'mild bleach'.
Fabric bags can be cleaned with a vacuum or scrubbed with a cloth. Baking soda can help to banish mould.
The research, carried out by InsureandGo, tested how many harmful bacteria were found on each area of a suitcase.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
‘There are more luxury hotels that welcome dogs than disabled guests'
When luxury travel is done right, it anticipates your needs before you even arrive. Whether it's setting your villa to exactly 22.5C, choosing the thread count of your sheets, or dispatching a 'bath butler' to prepare your soak with hand-picked salts and a curated soundtrack, no request is too niche. This is what luxury promises: personalisation, exclusivity and ease; everything money can buy and, more enticingly, everything it can't. It's precisely this culture of precision and guest-centred service that should make luxury travel the ideal environment for disabled guests. After all, in a world where pillows can be tailored to your cervical curve and a preferred brand of spring water shipped in ahead of arrival, surely accommodating access requirements, like a roll-in shower or sensory-friendly dining space, should be par for the course. And yet, the needs of disabled travellers have long been absent from the luxury travel conversation. While properties the world over have rushed to become pet-friendly, family-friendly, eco-friendly, few have stopped to consider what it means to be truly human-friendly. But at the intersection of luxury and accessibility lies an overdue truth: the highest standard of service is one that includes everyone. As a wheelchair user, I've experienced the jarring disconnect between how luxury is presented and how it's actually delivered for disabled guests. Physical barriers are more common than you would expect (steps into reception or stairs within the rooms) but equally as limiting are the attitudinal (staff who check me in with a confused or awkward look on their face) and financial (stays costing more because only suite-level rooms have been adapted for wheelchair users) barriers. Last week, Inclusive Luxury Hotels (IHL) – a new discovery and booking platform from accessibility specialist IncluCare, part of the Inclu Group – launched, along with a promise to revolutionise what it means to be both luxurious and inclusive. For the first time, disabled travellers now have a trusted, independent way to find high-end hotels that don't just claim accessibility, but prove it. To make the cut, each property has undergone a rigorous audit, encompassing not only physical access but also service and booking transparency. That last part is crucial; accessible rooms must be visible and instantly bookable online as, according to Inclu, an estimated $1.5 billion (£1.1 billion) in accessible room stock goes unsold each year simply because it's invisible. Making that inventory discoverable is quietly radical, long overdue and a win-win for both travellers and the industry. Behind this effort is travel industry stalwart Richard Thompson, chief executive and co-founder of Inclu, himself disabled following a spinal cord injury in 1986. Thompson has long been one of the most vocal disrupters in this space and launched ILH with trademark candour. 'There are more luxury hotels that welcome dogs than disabled guests.' It's a shocking line, but painfully true. The World Health Organisation counts 1.6 billion disabled people worldwide; add travelling friends and families and you're staring at a spending power north of $13 trillion. In Britain alone the 'purple pound' is worth £274 billion. Most of that money is eager to flow, but with little information on where we can spend it, our choices are limited from the outset. IncluCare's verification process is both rigorous and refreshingly holistic. It begins with a comprehensive appraisal of the property's infrastructure and guest experience, followed by a bespoke and thorough education programme for all staff. Adjustments are then made, from physical adaptations to improved booking processes, before a property earns Verified status. Only then can it appear on the ILH platform. Amilla Maldives was the first hotel in the world to achieve Verified status and my stay there was genuinely unforgettable. I didn't have to advocate for myself at every turn. The access was already there, elegant, thoughtful and seamlessly woven into my stay. Other hotels currently on the platform include urban retreats Pan Pacific London and Conrad London St James. Top-tier properties are also awarded star ratings, indicating the extent to which they've evolved. A five-star rating, for instance, signifies at least two years of continuous development, staff-wide training and the introduction of assistive technology such as pool or spa access for guests with reduced mobility, or tools to support those with sensory and cognitive disabilities. These aren't surface-level tweaks that merely meet basic accessibility compliance; they're operational shifts grounded in a new understanding of inclusivity, excellence and, of course, luxury. Only when staff can read a set of access needs the way a sommelier reads a wine list, suggesting the perfect combination of equipment, room category and accessible experiences, will Thompson be satisfied. IncluCare's training covers everything from how to guide a blind guest to a sunset bar to how to offer a quiet dining corner for someone with sensory sensitivity and how to phrase assistance without stripping us of our agency. What really sets this platform apart is its mindset. Thompson calls it 'conscious inclusivity' – a shift away from tick-box accessibility, towards a broader, more human view of what it means to be welcoming. It's about acknowledging that disabled guests don't just want to be accommodated – they want to enjoy, indulge and experience luxury on their own terms, just like anyone else. With 11 more hotels in the pipeline, give it 24 months and we will soon see a global map of verifiably inclusive hideaways. ILH guarantees a layer of certainty that this sector – and the industry at large – has mistakenly overlooked: a promise that in these hotels, everyone can check in knowing their needs, no matter what they are, will be met. And if that's not the very definition of five-star hospitality, I don't know what is.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Major delays to Eurostar trains as passengers warned to cancel or postpone journeys
Eurostar passengers have been warned to cancel or postpone their journeys this morning as they face major delays. The operator said a cable theft near Lille, France, had caused the severe disruption and last-minute cancellations on the line on Wednesday morning. Trains had also been delayed or cancelled in both directions between London St Pancras International and Gare Du Nord in Paris on Tuesday evening after two people were struck by trains, with passengers complaining of being delayed for up to seven hours. With disruption contiuning on Wednesday, an alert on the Eurostar website read: 'Due to a cable theft near Lille Europe, our trains are likely to be subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations. We advise you to cancel or postpone your trip.' Eurostar has so far cancelled three trains each way between London and Paris, with the first three departures between the destinations delayed by an hour. Inbound, the predicted delays range between 80 and 100 minutes. No trains from London to Brussels have so far been cancelled, but delays are expected between 50 and 80 minutes. The disruption on Tuesday came after two people were struck by trains near the city in northern France, which led to delays and cancellations to all Eurostar services on Tuesday evening. 'We advise changing your journey for a different travel date,' the operator said on social media. 'Our sincerest apologies to customers affected.' Passengers took to social media to complain after facing hours of delays about how Eurostar had handled the disruption as photos on social media showed large queues at both railway stations on Tuesday. One traveller said: 'This was handled poorly, little communication, bad announcements for those of us stuck on trains with no food as sold out, no running water and a bad website to file a claim. I will never use this service again after the poor communication and experience.' Another said: 'It's so sad. But maybe don't charge 375 euros surge pricing to get a replacement ticket. There were 30 school children on the 19.01 train. And after 2 hours of waiting we were told hotels would be provided and a replacement train. It's getting worse week by week'.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Forget the stereotypes, Benidorm is the complete package
Last year, Benidorm welcomed close to 3 million visitors. Despite its reputation as a British holiday mecca – nearly 900,000 UK travellers visited the city in 2024 – it was actually Spanish nationals who made up the largest share, with more than one million domestic visitors flocking to the Costa Blanca resort, according to Benidorm city council. I have a feeling that these visitors did not come for the stereotype of full English breakfasts and pub crawls, but for something often overlooked by international tourists: the authentic, everyday rhythm of Spanish coastal life. In a country where tourism makes up about 15% of GDP but has also spurred a housing shortage and countermovements, Benidorm offers a contrast to cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where tourism pressures are acute. The city's mid-20th-century reinvention as a purpose-built resort might once have been controversial, but today it looks surprisingly sustainable in the context of a national housing emergency. Benidorm was designed and built to handle industrial numbers of visitors – including me. My first visit was in the early 1990s, aged eight, on a classic package holiday with my family. I vividly remember staying up late to play billiards with a rotating cast of kids, and language barriers didn't matter. Their mothers – and what felt like every other señora in our 20-storey hotel – took turns pinching my cheeks. The coastal city has long accommodated large numbers of domestic and international travellers without displacing residents at the same rate as elsewhere. Unlike the 'live like a local' model that has backfired in Spain's big cities – such that more and more apartments once meant for residents are now exclusively for tourist use, especially in Madrid, where I've lived for 12 years – Benidorm has absorbed demand with ease while still offering an authentic Spanish experience. I'm here to explore exactly that. Before the sun has fully risen, I walk to Poniente beach, the quieter, more local stretch just west of the old town. It is already full of life. A dozen elderly señores are taking a refreshing, pre-breakfast dip and a group of señoras are easing into the day with a free session of group yoga. As the weather heats up, the Spanish crowd moves away from the main beach to the nearby Cala Almadraba or, further along, to Cala del Tío Ximo. In these two secluded coves beyond the headland, pine trees frame crystal-clear shallows. Even in peak season, these smaller spots remain largely undiscovered by foreign visitors. By the time the sun is at its highest, many Spaniards are already retreating to long lunches of local cuisine. At La Fava, I find a serene space where chef Fran Burgos serves elegant dishes rooted in Alicante's coastal traditions – such as grilled aubergine with honeycomb, parmesan soup and seasonal fish – in a tranquil, whitewashed interior. For a classic Iberian diner, Casa Toni boasts Andalusian tiles and legs of jamón hanging above the bar. For paella, a must in the Valencia region, refined seafood restaurant Ducado has an array of rice dishes. There's room too for cross-cultural comforts. Ray's 1, a longstanding British chippy run by a mother and daughter team (both called Teresa), earned a new Spanish fanbase when I wrote about it for Spain's leading national newspaper, El País. Since then, Teresa senior tells me. they've had a regular flow of Spanish customers. Nearby, on my way to the ajuntament (town hall), I spot a queue outside Bar El Puente, a chicken rotisserie run by the same family since 1968 and attracting a mostly Spanish clientele. Anyone who has visited Benidorm will be familiar with Calle Santo Domingo, a pedestrianised alley in the old town. Here, a global clientele are drawn to the bustling Basque pintxo bars, especially in the evening. But farther inland lies a no-frills and more authentically Spanish tapas destination, just off Avenida Ruzafa. I squeeze into Taperia La Mina, where a bottle of house wine and six tapas costs €11. Restaurant Aitona and El Rincón de La Croqueta offer an equally simple experience. For a slightly quieter but still lively meal, La Mejillonera is known for its large plates of juicy orange mussels, and is worth the wait for a table. But beyond sun, sea and food, Benidorm is a real Spanish city with real stories. For example, Marina Sanchis opened Casa Cremà, a pottery workshop for locals and visitors alike, having returned to her home town after being forced out of Madrid by soaring rents, and has turned her creative retreat into a thriving community space. She tells me Benidorm has given her something she'd lost in the capital: space, time, and a connection to community. Many more Spanish artists have been inspired by the coastal metropolis, and their work has featured in the free and often overlooked Museo Boca del Calvari in the old town. María Moldes, who exhibited there a few years ago, is a local social documentary photographer whose photos of Benidorm echo the works of the late Carlos Pérez Siquier. Both photographers capture the city's idiosyncrasies through saturated, surreal portraits of Spanish sunbathers. Despite being taken decades apart, their images are almost indistinguishable. Even online, Benidorm has become something of a Spanish cult favourite. Erik Harley, a satirical influencer from Barcelona, tells me that Benidorm is his favourite place in the universe and he will soon be launching new tours of the city's most iconic skyscrapers. And then there's Mulero Ok, as he's known here, a smartly dressed pensioner whose niche is playing Spanish pop music on his speaker and filming passersby dancing alongside his decorated, slow-gliding mobility scooter. Among Spanish youth, the city's cultural relevance is also on the rise. Benidorm Fest is Spain's official competition to choose its Eurovision entry. Unlike the UK's often half-hearted approach to the contest, Spain makes a big deal of the selection process and I regularly hear Melody's Esa Diva, which was chosen as Spain's entry this year, playing on the radio and in bars. Still only in its third year, the festival has become a defining highlight of the city's cultural calendar, earning Benidorm a new identity as the country's unofficial capital of pop. Beyond the bustle of Benidorm, the nearby area is home to several charming villages that make for a perfect day trip, such as the colourful coastal town of La Vila Joiosa, a short tram ride away. Inland, the ancient hilltop village of El Castell de Guadalest is home to no fewer than eight eclectic museums and boasts stunning views of the Guadalest reservoir – one of Benidorm's main sources of fresh water. Benidorm wears its tourist-resort reputation with pride, but it offers far more than the stereotypes suggest. As a Brit abroad occasionally longing for home, I'm not going to deny that the British stereotype of Benidorm has its appeal for me. But I'm also here for what has become even more familiar to me: Spanish culture, local gastronomy and a deeper sense of place – the side of Benidorm that is enjoyed by more than 1 million domestic visitors each year. In a country grappling with overtourism, Benidorm's purpose-built design shouldn't be dismissed as inauthentic. It's a uniquely Spanish solution to a modern global challenge – and a city with space for everyone.
