Traveling can be stressful, but staying clean and non-toxic doesn’t have to be! We’ve packed this guide with a TON of tips, tricks, and product recommendations to make your travel experience as healthy and stress-free as possible.

But don’t worry—you don’t have to do it all! Think of this as a buffet of options—pick and choose what works for you. Whether you’re a seasoned non-toxic pro or just starting to swap a few items, there’s something here to make your journey a little easier (and maybe even more fun).

Pre-Travel Prep

1. Hotel & Airbnb Requests

Want to avoid overpowering air fresheners or mystery laundry detergents? Message your host ahead of time to:

Request the removal of air fresheners or scented products.
Ask what laundry products they use. (Bonus points if you can pack your own pillowcase—more on that below!)
Ask for fragrance-free cleaning products or only hot water to be used for cleaning surfaces in preparation for your arrival.

2. Pack Your Own Linens

If you’ve got the space, having fragrance-free bedding and towels can make all the difference:

Cotton or linen pillowcases (like Avocado Organic Cotton Pillowcases) are a great start if that’s all you can fit.
Take a washcloth and thin towel (like a cotton Turkish towel) especially if you have sensitive skin.

3. Shoe Storage

Store shoes in reusable bags to avoid transferring dirt, bacteria, germs and chemicals to your clothes.

Organic Cotton Shoe Storage Bags are perfect for keeping shoes separate.
Paravel Packing Cube Set
Beis Packing Cubes

4. Laundry

Pack a Guppyfriend Washing Bag or Waterstone 100% Organic Hemp Laundry Garment Protection Bag for washing synthetics or delicates, and to keep dirty clothes separate from clean.

Pack a travel-size bag of Laundry Detergent or our Mini Concentrate for a washing machine or handwashing in a sink or bathtub.

Travel Essentials Checklist

Branch Basics Mini Products

Our Travel Kit features these favorites if you like to keep all things clean:

Mini All-Purpose Spray (2 oz): Use for wiping down everything from airplane tray tables to hotel remotes.
Mini Foaming Wash (1.7 oz): Gentle for hands, face, and everything in between. Even shaving!

Healthy Snacks for the Plane

Pack some delicious, clean snacks like dried fruit or homemade granola in Stasher Bags for easy access mid-flight. Here are a few of our favorite grab-and-go snacks:

Reusable Water Bottle

Take an empty, BPA-free water bottle to fill up at the airport. Stay hydrated and avoid single-use plastic with these:

For even more, read our blog post on how to choose safe water bottles and our favorite brands.

When buying water at the airport, choose glass if available or a higher pH alkaline water, which is more hydrating with electrolytes and minerals. You can also add your own electrolytes. (Our favorites are below.)

Travel-Sized Personal Care

Pack your full-size products in glass or silicone travel-size bottles:

Additional Recommendations

Organic Neck Pillow

Love to sleep on the plane? Consider Essentia Organic Travel Neck Pillow for a healthier option.

EMF Protection & Blue Light Blockers

Use Tech Wellness Air Tube Corded Headphones to minimize EMF exposure.
Reduce screen & light fatigue with Boncharge Light Sensitivity Glasses.
Tech Wellness Cellphone EMF Protection Case
Tech Wellness EMF Protection Fabric to wrap around you during the plane ride. Consider if EMF sensitive and/or pregnant. Cocoon yourself as much as possible – full-body coverage is what you’re aiming for. We don’t recommend partial shielding options because the reflection element can make fields higher than with without.

Cloth or Dry Wipes

Pack a reusable microfiber cloth, cotton towel or Honest Dry Wipes to pair with your Mini All-Purpose Spray for wiping down surfaces like airplane trays, hotel counters, or car interiors.

Air Purifier

Great for filtering cabin air or improving hotel room air quality. A small, wearable air purifier can help reduce airborne toxins while traveling.

Electrolytes

Staying hydrated with clean electrolytes including magnesium or potassium helps your body stay balanced and your immune system strong while traveling.

Goodonya Electrolytes (We love the way these taste.)

Possible Whole Food Electrolyte Powder

Immune-Boosting Supplements

Cymbiotika Liposomal Vitamin C and Liposomal Elderberry are great and quick ways to support your immune system. Since it’s liposomal, it absorbs better and significantly improves the bioavailability of the Vitamin C and Elderberry. The little packs make it super easy to travel with however many days you will be away vs a large bottle.

Premier Research Labs Nucleo Immune: Nucleo Immune™ is a comprehensive immune support formula that promotes protein synthesis, cellular vitality, and a healthy immune system. With added beta-glucans from reishi mushrooms and other botanicals like turmeric and lemon peel, this formula offers broad-spectrum nutritional support to keep the immune system resilient and ready to fight off potential threats. This should be taken at the first sign of sickness.

Quinton Hypertonic 3.3 Ampoules offer a highly concentrated source of bioavailable minerals and trace elements, designed to support the body's optimal function. This solution is rich in essential electrolytes and minerals, helping to increase energy, support cellular function, and promote bone health. The ultimate electrolyte source!

At the Airport

1. Digital Boarding Passes

Boarding passes are often printed on thermal paper, which can contain high levels of BPA, a hormone-disrupting chemical. Opting for a paperless option by using your boarding pass on your phone helps you avoid unnecessary exposure to BPA and reduce paper waste and support a more eco-friendly travel approach.

2. Skip the Body Scanners

Feel more comfortable avoiding radiation? Politely request a pat-down instead of walking through the scanners.

On the Plane

1. Cleaning Your Space

If it makes you feel most comfortable to wipe down your seat, tray tables, seatbelts, and armrest, use Mini All-Purpose Spray and a reusable towel.

2. Stay Hydrated

Cabin air is dry, so aim for at least 8 oz of water per hour. We typically recommend saying no to water or ice from an aircraft as a 2019 peer-reviewed study by the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center at the City University of New York showed that the drinking water on 11 major and 12 regional airlines is possibly unsafe for human consumption. If they have bottled water, request water with no ice.

If you must have ice, did you know you can take ice through TSA security checkpoints as long as it is entirely frozen? Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.

3. Choose Your Seat Wisely

If you’re planning to scroll, stream, or work mid-flight, snag a window seat—those EMF waves can escape, making you less of a radiation sponge. But if you’re going tech-free and want to dodge cosmic rays, go for the aisle instead. Park yourself at the back of the plane to steer clear of the cockpit’s buzzing electronics. Before you book, check where the jet engines are (wings or tail) and pick a seat far from there when available to reduce EMF exposure.

3. EMF Protection & Blue Light Blockers

Use Tech Wellness Air Tube Corded Headphones and wrap up in EMF-blocking fabric for extra protection. Also, limit Wi-Fi use on plane and try to read a book or take a nap. If you do need to use electronics, use blue light blocking glasses. They’re also great to have for early or late flights to keep the bright airport lights from disrupting your circadian rhythm.

4. Wear Compression Socks

Wearing compression socks can help maintain a comfortable body temperature and may also improve circulation and swelling during the flight, especially long-haul flights.

4. Stay Comfortable

Do light stretches or in-seat exercises to avoid stiffness. Depending on how long your flight is, take short walks down the aisle every hour or so to improve circulation and prevent stiffness. Roll your ankles, stretch your neck, and do seated leg lifts to keep blood flowing.

Combat anxiety and nausea with acupressure wristbands, like these from Acupressure Bracelets. They’re super easy to wear and use natural pressure points to help keep you comfortable during turbulence, flight anxiety or long flights.

5. Moisturize and Sunscreen

If your skin is feeling super dry, consider applying a non-toxic moisturizer or facial mist to prevent dry skin from the low cabin humidity. For an added layer, there is always the option to apply sunscreen if you’re sitting near a window, as UV rays are stronger at high altitudes.

In Your Rental Car

When traveling with kiddos, the car seat is always the bulky item we dread checking, until we found this great Pico Portable Car Seat. It can be used on the flight and in your rental car!

1. Wipe It Down

Steering wheels, dashboards, and door handles can all use a quick clean with Mini All-Purpose Spray.

2. Request Fragrance-Free

Let them know you are sensitive to fragrances and would like to avoid scented air fresheners and cleaning products. If there are multiple cars available, some rental car companies will let you smell the cars and let you choose the one you want.

3. Freshen the Air

Roll down the windows as much as possible to let in the outdoor air. If you’re on a long trip, consider an activated charcoal bag like Moso Natural Air Purifying Bags to absorb odors and toxins. We also love Biological Odor Control as it is a great solution to smelly vehicles – just grab a travel-sized spray bottle for it. Spraying vodka also helps deodorize.

Hot tip: If not getting a rental, taxi cabs are typically less fragrant than ride shares! You can also see the taxis lined up and go to the next one if you see air fresheners hanging from the rear view mirror. Politely let the driver know you are sensitive to fragrances or have allergies.

At the Hotel or Rental

1. Leave Shoes at Front Door

Create a designated space by the door to leave shoes after walking in. Just like at home, shoes have been know to carry lots of bacteria, germs, and toxins. According to a study by Dr. Charles Gerba, microbiologist, and professor at the University of Arizona, there is an average of over 421,000 units of bacteria on a single shoe sole. In addition to this, there are over 2,887 units of bacteria on the inside of our shoes.

2. Detox Your Room

Put all fragrance products in a cabinet, drawer or outdoor covered area.
Swap the pillowcase for the cotton/linen one you brought.
Wipe down high-touch areas like light switches, remotes, and counters with your Mini All-Purpose Spray.
Open the windows and doors to improve ventilation if possible. According to the EPA, indoor air quality can be significantly worse than outdoor air quality, with pollutant levels often 2 to 5 times higher inside homes due to factors like poor ventilation, building materials, and activities like cooking, which can concentrate pollutants within a sealed space.

3. Avoid Synthetic Fragrances

Avoid using the hotel or rental’s heavily fragranced toiletries—stick with your non-toxic personal care products and Travel Kit.

4. Get Grounded

Spend time outside grounding on the land to discharge electromagnetic frequencies as much as you can after flying. The best way to ground is by walking barefoot in dewy grass right away in the morning. Choose an area that has not been treated with chemical pesticides and/or fertilizers.

The morning is the most beneficial as it helps synchronize your circadian rhythm and provides a natural energy boost. Plus, exposure to morning sunlight on your eyelids is also great for your circadian rhythm! Aim for 20-30 minutes -- but any time you can do counts

5. Try a Detox Bath

We love a detox bath! If your room or rental has a tub, take a Radiation Detox bath to help neutralize radiation from the flight. Allison made an Instagram reel on this here!

Why Non-Toxic Travel Matters

Reduces exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins in shared spaces.
Keeps you feeling your best, even during hectic holiday travel.
Makes you less susceptible to sickness, as travel exposures take a toll on our immune system.

Remember, travel can be unpredictable, but that’s okay! Focus on what you can control and give yourself grace for the rest. A little prep goes a long way, and you’re doing amazing just by trying. Not all of these things have to be done, but we’re sure glad we can give you lots of options. Safe travels! ✨

Clean Clothes, Cleaner Ingredients

Human-Safe Laundry Stripping with Branch Basics

Everything You Can Clean Guide