While most people are aware that we live in a world full of germs, there are certain places we tend to think of as especially germ-heavy, such as gyms, public bathrooms, public transit, and other locations where strangers tend to gather.
Airplanes, in particular, are often seen as a hotspot for germs, with many passengers bringing disinfectant wipes on board to clean their seats, tray tables, and other surfaces they may touch.
According to one Detroit flight attendant on TikTok, though, there’s one item that passengers generally don’t think about.
In a recent clip that has garnered over 1.1 million views, TikTok creator and flight attendant Charity Moore (@charityofsunshine) shared what that is and a few other hygiene habits she says many airline passengers overlook.
What Do Air Passengers Usually Forget To Disinfect?
“These are things that you’re not doing on an aircraft that you should do,” she begins. “I’m an 11-year flight attendant, and I do all of these things when I travel on my own personal time because I’m an expert. This ain’t my first rodeo.”
Her first tip focuses on something she says most travelers don’t pay attention to.
“Number one, you guys all come on board with your little Clorox wipes and your little disinfectants, and you start wiping everything down,” she says.
Passengers mistakenly typically focus on the tray table or the seat in front of them, she explains.
But according to Moore, the most important item is often ignored: the seatbelt.
“What you should be wiping that nobody wipes is that seatbelt, the metal part, because everybody touches it,” she says. “And also you should be wiping the fabric part of the seatbelt because everybody pulls on that.”
She adds that seatbelts can collect a surprising amount of residue from previous flights.
“The amount of throw up, baby vomit, bodily fluids, liquids that have spilled, random stuff that end up on those seatbelts,” she says. “Wipe them down, babe.”
Moore then moves on to another recommendation she says many travelers ignore when choosing what to wear on a flight.
“Second thing you’re not doing is you’re not wearing full pants,” she says. Based on what she has seen during her years working on planes, she advises avoiding direct skin contact with the seat.
“I am letting you know from a flight attendant the amount of things I have seen on the seat,” she says. “None of your skin should be touching that seat.”
She Also Calls Out Common Airplane Bathroom Habits
Another habit she calls out involves airplane bathrooms. Moore claims flight attendants can tell when passengers skip basic hygiene steps.
“You are not washing your hands after you use the lav,” she says. “You’re also not flushing the toilet.”
She recommends closing the bathroom door after exiting and avoiding touching surfaces unnecessarily.
Moore also warns passengers against walking into the lavatory without shoes.
“It is never, ever water on the floor in the lav,” she says, reminding viewers that socks can quickly absorb whatever is on the ground.
Her final tip isn’t about airplane cleanliness but airport food.
“A huge misconception is that you can’t bring food through TSA,” she says. “You absolutely can.”
However, she advises travelers to be mindful of strong-smelling foods when bringing meals on board.
“Do not bring eggs. Do not bring tuna; do not bring fish. Don’t bring sardines,” she says. “Think about what you’re bringing. Nothing too stinky.”
Commenters Push Back
In the comments, viewers were frustrated with the idea they should have the responsibility of cleaning their own seats.
“You know what’d be great?” one commenter asked. “If the airlines would clean the planes…”
“Almost like for $70 tickets they could clean the planes,” wrote another.
A third questioned travelers’ hygiene habits. “Who doesn’t wear shoes to the lavatory???” they asked.
Another commenter shared an additional tip. “I also bring a throwaway TJ Maxx bag to stuff my purse inside before I push it under the seat,” they wrote. “No purse or carry-on bag of mine touches the floor.”
How Often Do Planes Get Cleaned?
According to a report by Explore, how often airplanes are cleaned largely depends on how quickly they turn around between flights and the airline’s standards on cleanliness.
For domestic routes, turnaround times are typically short, and flights operate frequently. In these cases, cleaning crews may only have time for a quick refresh, such as removing trash, wiping down a few surfaces, and cleaning the lavatories.
Aircraft that don’t fly overnight may receive a more thorough cleaning. However, the extent of this work varies widely depending on the airline.
As for deep cleans, there are no universal standards governing how often they should happen. Explore reports that Lufthansa deep cleans its aircraft after roughly 500 hours of flight time, while Singapore Airlines performs deep cleans about once a month.
@charityofsunshine The only aisle I’m walking down. 🖤✈️ #flightattendant
BroBible has reached out to Moore via email for comment and additional details.