logo
9 Products To Deal With Germy Public Surfaces

9 Products To Deal With Germy Public Surfaces

Buzz Feed17-05-2025
COVID-19 made us all a little more wary about germs and the risks of transmissible illnesses that can be passed along in shared spaces.
It's completely understandable if touching surfaces in public sends a shiver down your spine, and if it does, you might find that this roundup of useful products and tools can help alleviate some of your anxieties.
Shop a sanitizing solution perfect for the frequent flyer, cult-favorite hand sanitizing mists, and much more.
A no-touch keychain tool
I recently saw someone using this tool on TikTok. It allows you to open most doors and operate public key pads or buttons without ever having to touch the surfaces with your own hand. This set comes with three metal keychains, each fitted with a stylus button, and three replacement stylus nubs.Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
A 50-pack of flushable toilet seat covers
When you use a public restroom, you can't always be sure that seat covers will be available. This pack comes with five travel packs, each containing 10 covers made from septic-safe and biodegradable materials. They are also thicker than the standard tissue-thin covers you find in most public restroom stalls.Get a 50-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
A bulk order of disinfecting travel wipes
The germ-killing powers of Clorox wipes are conveniently available in this set of 24 travel packs that are perfect for keeping in your purse, pocket, car or stroller. These layered wipes are bleach-free and kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $23.76.
An anti-microbial iPhone case by OtterBox
Your cellphone is a high-touch item that can be 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. This thin yet ultra-protective case by OtterBox is treated with a silver-based antimicrobial additive to inhibit microbial growth and defend against many common bacteria. Get it for iPhone 12/13 Pro Max from Amazon for $28.32+ (available in 10 designs) or for iPhone 14 Pro Max for $25.89+ (available in 17 designs).
A UV phone sanitizer
Cleverly dubbed "Phone Soap," this UV sanitizing box disinfects and charges your phone simultaneously using a 360-degree germicidal UV-C light. You can charge virtually any device using either the USB-A or USB-C ports on the side of the box.Get it from Amazon for $34.95+ (available in seven colors).
A 10-pack of airplane tray covers
These disposable covers are made with 20% recycled plastic and slide over most standard airline tray tables. Each one also comes with boredom-busting activities on the front.Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a 20-pack).
A 100-pack of antibacterial portable soap sheets
These portable sheets of soap are antibacterial and formulated with nourishing plant extracts. All you need is a little bit of water to turn one sheet into a rich foaming lather, no matter where you are.Get a 100-pack of three scents from Amazon for $9.88 (also available in other pack styles and sizes).
A trio of atomized Touchland hand sanitizers
Touchland's cult-favorite hand sanitizers don't smell or feel like typical gel sanitizer, even though they can kill 99.99% of germs and bacteria. Dispersed in a light atomized mist, the formula is non-sticky, fast-absorbing and made with moisturizing emollients to keep skin from drying out.Get a three-pack from Amazon for $30+ (available in multiple styles and pack sizes).
A mini UV light with box
This UV-sterilizing light with attachable box is small enough to tote around and features an attachment loop for keeping it secured to bags. The light portion clicks on or off the box and is rechargeable via USB port, making it perfect for disinfecting keys, pacifiers or jewelry. It uses a U-V-C light sanitizing system, which the maker says can eliminate up to 99.9% of germs.Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in two colors).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

13 must-haves to bring when camping with your dog, from travel crates to outdoor beds
13 must-haves to bring when camping with your dog, from travel crates to outdoor beds

Fox News

time29 minutes ago

  • Fox News

13 must-haves to bring when camping with your dog, from travel crates to outdoor beds

Camping is a fun adventure for the whole family, the dog included! To ensure your furry friend has just as much fun as you while camping, be prepared with the right gear. Just like you, dogs need the comfort of a soft bed and a spacious sleeping bag. Plus, a tie-out lead, harness and water and food dishes are a must. Original price: $20.75 The number one item you should have in your dog camping gear is a lead or tie-out. This tie-out from Amazon is a popular option. It hooks between two trees, and you can connect your dog's leash so they can roam around more freely. They come in different lengths and colors, making it easy to pick one that best for your dog's size and personality. A harness is more comfortable for your dog, especially if they're going to be on a tie-out. This Ruffwear harness is extremely durable, even for dogs who like to pull. It has reflective strips built in, which is helpful when walking your dog around a dark campground. There are plenty of fun colors, so you can customize your dog's harness to their leash. An LED dog collar is ideal for nighttime walks with your dog. Campgrounds get much darker than your average street, so make sure other campers, cars and you can see your dog wherever they go. This collar can be shortened to get the exact size you need, and it's rechargeable. Give your pup somewhere comfortable to relax while you're in the woods. A good outdoor dog bed sheds dirt and water and won't trap dog hair. This Furhaven dog bed from Amazon is stuffed with foam to keep it comfortable. It's also reversible, so you get two color options. Alternatively, the OllyDog's Ridgeway travel bed is a lightweight bed made from soft microfleece that won't hold onto dog hair. When you need to pack up, just roll up the bed and clip it together with an attached buckle. The Basecamp bed from Ruffwear is also an easy-cleaning sleep mat option. It's a fashionable bed that comes in bright patterns, plus it has a waterproof, non-slip base. Your dog needs a sleeping bag just like you do! When you're camping in the fall, a sleeping bag will keep your dog warm and comfortable, plus it sheds hair, dirt and mud. An OllyDog sleeping bag rolls up for easy storage and is made from waterproof materials. Lined with a soft, breathable fleece, your dog is sure to sleep well while out in the woods. Original price: $51.99 A camping cot gets your dog off the ground, which can help keep them and their dog bed clean. An extra-large cot from Amazon can hold large dog breeds like German Shepherds and Retrievers. The cot is made from Teslin fabric, which is scratch- and tear-resistant. Original price: $74.99 Stay organized with a travel bag designed just for pets. Chewy's dog tote has separate spaces for dog food and treats, a pull-out tray with collapsible dog bowls and a huge inner compartment with separate compartments for leashes, toys and more. Travel-friendly water and food bowls are a must when camping with your dog. Amazon has a pair of collapsible dog dishes with carabiners attached for easy storage. Ruffwear also has pop-up food bowls in unique patterns. These lightweight bowls have a waterproof lining and durable shell. To keep the bowls clean, a washable dog bowl mat can help. It's a huge mat with a non-slip base. Being out in the woods is a lot of fun, but it brings mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs. To prevent your dog from getting covered in ticks, use Wondercide, a flea, tick and mosquito spray. Made from plant-based ingredients, the spray can be used on your dog's coat or on their bedding. Should your dog get ticks, make sure you have a tick removal kit on hand. The kit comes with a tick remover, tweezers for small, embedded ticks and a pamphlet that helps you identify different types of ticks, so you know whether you should worry about Lyme disease. If your dog is used to relaxing and sleeping in a crate, bringing a travel crate along can help them feel more comfortable. An Amazon Basics pop-up travel crate sets up in seconds. It has fastening straps that keep unzipped doors rolled up, so your dog can easily get in and out. Mesh windows offer ventilation on all four sides and secure zipper closures keep your dog inside when the doors are closed. Chewy has a similar, slightly more durable foldable crate option that's ideal for larger dogs. Plan to hike on your camping trip? Get your dog their very own hiking backpack. The OneTigris dog backpack has two pockets on either side for bags and treats. The cross-bungee cords also allow you to clip extra gear on. Ruffwear's Front Range day pack is a compact harness with two saddlebags on each side. There are three leash attachment options, including a V-ring, a loop on the back and a webbing loop on the chest. Original price: $44.95 Having a first aid kit on hand for your pet is always a good idea when you're camping or hiking. This first aid kit from Amazon is vet-endorsed and includes a dog thermometer, a dog muzzle, a tick kit and bandages. The whole kit folds into a compact bag that'll fit in your luggage. For more deals, visit You won't regret packing an extra towel just for your dog. When rain comes or your dog goes for an impromptu swim, a towel is a necessity. Amazon's Bone Dry pet towel is made from ultra-soft microfiber, which is extra-absorbent and machine-washable.

After a breakup, I left NYC for Miami and moved in with my mom. It was supposed to be temporary, but 3 years later, I have no plans to leave.
After a breakup, I left NYC for Miami and moved in with my mom. It was supposed to be temporary, but 3 years later, I have no plans to leave.

Business Insider

timean hour ago

  • Business Insider

After a breakup, I left NYC for Miami and moved in with my mom. It was supposed to be temporary, but 3 years later, I have no plans to leave.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Samantha Stobo, a 32-year-old who lives in Miami with her mom. It has been edited for length and clarity. When your life feels like it's falling apart, it might actually be coming together. I was in a bad place in 2022, but I wouldn't change anything because it led me to where I am now. I was working in private equity in New York and had been living there for five years. We had gone fully remote during COVID, but then my company wanted to return to in-office five days a week. I was 9-to-5, five days a week, for four or five years, but after getting a taste of the remote lifestyle, I did not want to go back. Then, I went through a pretty brutal breakup with the guy I was living with. I was turning 28 and didn't want to be in New York City anymore. I called my mom, and she said, "I don't know why we've never done this before, but why don't you come work for me?" The short-term plan was to move in with my mom in Miami, get my bearings, and start working with her. That was three years ago, and it's been perfect ever since. Moving back in with Mom My mom owns a wellness hotel in Costa Rica, and I work with her in business development and marketing. I am prepping to take over the company at some point. My mom moved to Miami from California in 2021 because it's closer to Costa Rica. I wasn't so worried about what it would be like to live with her because we have such a great relationship. I was more worried about what people would think about me living with my mom. I think there's a stigma out there that you lose your independence or you're backtracking if you move back in with your parents. When I first moved in with her, we were in a rental. It was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, but quite a small rental. My mom's boyfriend lives with us and works for the company, too. We laugh now. We're like, "How did we ever live there?" But it was fun. Now, we're in a much larger home. It has four bedrooms and four baths. Adjusting to change My mom purchased her home in 2023, and now we have expenses like cleaners that come once a week and a pool cleaner. My mom also buys all the groceries. We decided I would pay a fixed amount to the household, which is $2,000 a month. When I moved in, I hadn't lived in a family home for 10 years. I was trying to adjust from living with roommates, where you buy your own groceries, keep them in separate areas of the fridge, and get mad when they leave their dishes in the sink. My mom loves to cook, so she cooks all my meals for me and does my laundry sometimes. It was an adjustment to be like, "OK, what are these things that she does for me? But also, I'm a fully functioning adult. What are the things that I do for myself that don't make me seem like I'm a 12-year-old living with her mom?" When I first moved in, I went out with friends and came home around 2 a.m. She was up and panicked. I didn't even think to tell her because I'd lived in New York for five years by myself and never had to tell someone when I'd be home. I taught her how to use Find My Friends, and we have open communication. Working together We work from home. While it's a lot to live and work with my mom, I think it would be ridiculous to have a separate apartment and then come to the house to work with her. Since she's the company owner and I'm learning to take it over, it's also helpful that I'm clued into every conversation, and it's not just 9-to-5 that we're talking about work. We're talking about it on Saturday, Sunday, after hours, whenever something comes up. It is sometimes hard to separate work from mother-daughter chores. If I am working and she says, "Take out the trash," then I'm like, "Well, I'm busy working." We get in stupid little arguments like that, but overall, it's worked really well for us. A built-in best friend Living together was only supposed to be temporary, but it's been three years. I don't have any plans to live alone, but sometimes, I get a little stressed. I don't want to be 36, still living with my mom, but it's working for where we are right now. I have a built-in best friend. Life is hard enough. It's nice to come home every day to a place where I feel safe and comfortable and know that I have someone who has my back. I think it's kind of crazy that we've normalized living with random people over living with your family. Living with my mom has been amazing for my mental health. Having a safe landing space is so important.

I'm an American living in Mexico. I love it, but that doesn't mean every day is perfect.
I'm an American living in Mexico. I love it, but that doesn't mean every day is perfect.

Business Insider

time2 hours ago

  • Business Insider

I'm an American living in Mexico. I love it, but that doesn't mean every day is perfect.

In November, I traded the hustle and bustle of city life in Newark, New Jersey, for the tropical climate and beautiful beaches of Tulum, Mexico. I've never been happier. Even though I've lived here for less than a year, I don't think I'll ever move back to the US — but that doesn't mean every day is perfect. Here are some of my favorite and least favorite things about living in Tulum. I've enjoyed the lower cost of living My cost of living in Tulum is much cheaper than it was in New Jersey, in part because of the conversion rates between USD and Mexican pesos ($1 equates to about 19 pesos). In Newark, I rented a two-bedroom apartment for $2,100 a month, but now, in La Veleta, I pay about $600 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. I've found that my groceries are cheaper too, especially when I shop locally. In the US, I would spend about $150 a week on groceries, compared to about $80 a week in Tulum. My life in Tulum feels far more peaceful and relaxed As a model, content creator, and host, I worked 12 hours a day while living in New Jersey. Although I was filming, editing, applying to campaigns, and answering emails nonstop, I was barely making enough income to afford my rent, groceries, and bills. If I didn't pick up enough jobs, I wouldn't be able to cover my living expenses. I felt stuck. Meanwhile, I've found that the lower cost of living in Tulum enables me to work less. I can take my time creating and posting content, edit on a consistent but relaxed schedule, and listen to my body's needs. Although I don't have quite as many opportunities in Tulum — yet — I enjoy my job more now because I have the free time to be creative and build a greater appreciation for what I do. Outside work, I've also enjoyed participating in Tulum's active wellness community through yoga classes and meditation circles. I love being surrounded by so many people who seem focused on inner growth, and I have found it to be very inspiring. I feel more connected to nature, too Living in Newark, I was used to luxury apartments and high-rise buildings lining the streets. Meanwhile, in Tulum, nature feels like part of my experience everywhere I go, from riding down Avenida Tulum to eating at outdoor cafés. Trees, vines, and other plants surround my apartment, so I feel connected to nature even when I'm home. I also like that the beaches in Tulum seem to have clearer water and appear much cleaner than the popular ones I visited in New Jersey. However, I miss having access to all of the same products I used in the US Since moving to Tulum, I've realized that I took a lot of massive stores in the US for granted — it's harder to find one-stop shops filled with tons of options here. Although my groceries are cheaper now, I have to shop at more locations to get everything I need. In the US, I could go to one big supermarket. It's also much harder to stock up on my beloved makeup and beauty products. Although Amazon ships here, there isn't a Sephora in Tulum, so I have to travel an hour to Playa del Carmen to get things like Fenty Beauty foundation and my preferred edge control and mousse for my hair. However, for most other essentials like toilet paper or protein powder, I've just switched to brands that are easily available locally. I've learned to adapt to the different power grids and septic systems Tulum's infrastructure can be more inconsistent than what I was used to in Newark, in part due to differences in the city's septic systems and electricity grids. For example, in some areas, toilet paper shouldn't be flushed because it can clog the pipes. In general, I've noticed the toilets here tend to clog more easily than they did back home. Additionally, I've gotten used to frequent power outages (about three times a month) due to maintenance or storms. Fortunately, though, my power usually returns within a few hours. Friends and others who've recently moved to Tulum have told me they've dealt with similar issues. It's not ideal, but I've learned to adapt. When these things happen, I either wait for the services to return or go to a local café for a few hours. Still, there's nowhere else I'd rather be Despite the challenges, the peace, beauty, and community make living in Tulum worth it for me. I've learned so much about myself since moving here, and I'm excited to continue building my brand and increasing my income. Someday, I'd like to move to another country that's even farther away from the US, but for now, I think Tulum is perfect for me and my journey. Tulum doesn't just feel like another adventure — it feels like home.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store