Naomi Campbell’s Plane Sanitizing Routine Was Epic Before Coronavirus
Naomi Campbell is the germaphobe ambassador the world needs right now. Her over-the-top hazmat suit may have amused social media, but the supermodel has been about that germ-distancing life long before thotty Coronavirus came around. In fact, the supermodel’s well-documented cleaning routine on YouTube needs to be adopted by more passengers, and HELLO!!! the travel industry too.
Most commercial airlines have had lackluster sanitization procedures between flights for decades, and planes are rarely, if ever, disinfected from top to bottom. Thankfully, Ms. Campbell reveals what we all can do to minimize exposure to bacteria and viruses on planes in this YouTube video. Traveling like a sanitized boss is only six tips away.
1. Water or Hydration Pack
Dehydration weakens your immune system. And you know what flying does? It dehydrates you. Naomi always makes sure to grab a bottle of water before boarding her flights, and even includes a hydration pack inside her carry-on. “Staying adequately hydrated can help your body eliminate toxins and waste materials, making your immune system able to better fight infection,” according to the Holtorf Medical Group.
2. Gloves
Buried underneath the treasures deposited into Naomi’s carry-on purse are a pack of disposable gloves. Most of us can find packs of these at our local discount dollar store. The reason for the gloves?
3. Anti-Bacterial Wipes
“Clean everything you touch or anything you could possibly touch … anything you put your hands on.” You heard the woman. One of the keys to keeping 100 while up flying is putting on those gloves and cleaning anything at your seat that you might touch. This includes your overhead vent, reading light, arm rest(s), window shade, controller and your tray table. As one flight attendant told TravelCoterie recently, “Before Coronavirus, tray tables were NEVER disinfected. EVER.” As you can see in the video, Naomi is definitely about sanitizing her space. Tray tables are known to carry high levels of mold and bacteria so you should never place food directly on it.
4. Seat Covers
A study by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation recently found that headrests are the dirtiest surface on airplanes. How dirty? Tests carried out on over 18 commercial flights found “hemolytic bacteria, E.coli and the highest aerobic count” of bacteria on the plane. Naomi’s solution is bringing her own blanket to cover her seat. “This is my seat cover. I change them every week. I just buy them at the airport. They are hand washed at every hotel I go to.”
And don’t just pick any color when you grab your own, keep it fashion. “They have different colors, colors that make you happy, turquoise or whatever. So now I’m onto the pink one for a minute.”
5. Give Zero F*cks What Your Neighbors Think
Going full Mr. Clean on a flight might illicit a few stares or eye rolls, but so what? Too many people care about appearances. Naomi is not one of them. “I do not care what people think of me. It’s my health and it makes me feel better.” Right on. Heathens gonna heathen: let them and do you in the meantime.
6. Face Mask
Dry air often circulated on flights can cause an allergic reaction in some that prompts sneezing or coughing. That’s why Ms. Campbell rocks a face mask. “I sit like this the whole, entire flight. No matter what plane you take, private or commercial. As the plane descends, people start coughing and sneezing, and the coughing and sneezing makes me … I just can’t. This is my protection from peoples coughing and sneezing.”
Also, if you’re feeling ill, don’t fly and put other people at risk!
And there you have it … Naomi’s keys to clean travel. “As much as I travel, I should get sick so much more with colds and stuff, and I’m blessed that I don’t. And I really think this helps me, my little routine.” Hopefully, it helps you too.
Eric has revolved in and out of passport controls for over 20 years. From his first archaeological field school in Belize to rural villages in Ethiopia and Buddhist temples in Laos, Eric has come smile to smile with all walks of life. A writer, photographer and entrepreneur, the LA native believes the power of connectivity and community is enriched through travel.
