UV & Sanitation Gadgets 101: Top Items You Should Invest In

Is online shopping one of your guilty pleasures? It certainly is one of mine — especially given that special sales continue to roll out every month. At present, however, my wish lists and virtual shopping carts are no longer filled with cute outfits, gorgeous shoes, and Instagram-famous beauty products; instead, the practical tita in me has me saving links to reusable face masks, various types of disinfectant, and all sorts of sanitation gadgets.

Despite that quarantine measures have eased, this gives us absolutely no excuse to take less care of our health and the safety of those around us. In fact, those of us who are in and out of the house often should be even more cautious! 

So, during the next big sale, how about thinking twice before adding anything unnecessary to your cart? Instead, check out this list of must-have sanitation gadgets that will keep you safe — whether you’re at home or on the go!

Also read: 10 Expensive Travel Investments You Won’t Regret Buying

Sanitation gadgets to keep you safe at home & on the go

1. UV smartphone sanitiser

Over a year ago, I wrote an article on expensive travel items that aren’t worth your money. A portable UV smartphone sanitiser was one of them. Who knew it’d eventually find its way to this list of must-buy sanitation gadgets? Given that our cellphones are among the dirtiest things around our homes and most of us use them 24/7, keeping them extra clean and sanitised should definitely be a priority.

UV smartphone sanitisers can eliminate up to 99.9% of germs in less than 10 minutes!  There are phone sanitisers that will even charge your phone while it’s being cleaned — perfect for those who prefer to invest in multi-use gadgets. (But if you can spare a few minutes of battery life, I still recommend cutting back on costs!)

Shop for a smartphone sanitiser here.

2. Air purifier

Without even knowing it, we breathe in all types of pollutants every day — from allergens like pollen and dust mites, to smoke and other airborne pathogens. This is where air purifiers come in. These sanitation gadgets are made to improve air quality, so we can breathe with ease. 

On the hunt for an air purifier of your own? It might get a little overwhelming, given that there are so many different types on the market. We recommend keeping a lookout for HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air purifiers, which are able to eliminate fine particles from the air — pathogens like bacteria and viruses included.

Shop for an air purifier here.

3. Wearable air purifier

During the early days of COVID-19, one of my friends invested in a wearable air purifier. Because it basically looks like a necklace with a huge pendant, a lot of our other friends would tease her about it. Joke’s on them now, though — nowadays, I see a lot of people buying their own!

Designed to eliminate bacteria in your immediate vicinity, these necklace-style purifiers are said to create a kind of bubble of protection around you. These personal air purifiers are ideal for those who’ve resumed working in an office, regularly take public transportation, or are required to travel during this time. 

Shop for a wearable air purifier here.

4. Water purifier

Now more than ever, it’s better to be safe than sorry — especially when it comes to the things we ingest. Whether the water you drink at home comes from the tap or your regular water delivery, it may be wise to save up for a water purifier. This sanitation gadget filters out 99.9% of bacteria and other harmful elements, promising safer drinking water for your home.

Shop for a water purifier here.

Also read: 10 Super-Cool Travel Gadgets You’ll Want to Splurge On

5. UV steriliser bag

Pre-pandemic, these UV sanitation gadgets were most commonly used by makeup artists and parents of young children; the former use these to sterilise their makeup tools, while parents use them for their kids’ toys. UV steriliser bags are equipped with UV light bulbs and can kill 99.9% of bacteria in just 10 minutes. 

Today, these bags come in handy for anyone who’d like to sterilise any small items like their cellphones, house and car keys, jewellery, and other accessories. They come in various travel-friendly sizes and can be charged via USB; so you can use them both at home, at work, and on trips!

Shop for a UV steriliser bag here.

6. Automatic hand sanitiser dispenser

Basically, these are the automatic hand sanitiser dispensers we find at nice bathrooms in airports and malls — the kinds we wish were available everywhere. Nowadays, it’s a good idea to have these at home, too.

Suggestion: Station yours right by the entrances in your home, so everyone comes into contact with high-touch surfaces with clean hands!

Shop for an automatic hand sanitiser dispenser here.

7. UV toothbrush sanitiser

Let’s be honest — of all the sanitation gadgets on this list, a UV toothbrush sanitiser sounds almost laughable. But did you know that your toothbrush is actually one of the dirtiest items in your house? If your toothbrush is within a 5- to 6-foot radius of your toilet, or you happen to store your toothbrush close to someone else’s, investing in a UV sanitiser is a pretty good idea. 

Just like the other UV appliances, this type of toothbrush sanitiser will be able to get rid of 99.9% of bacteria that comes into contact with your toothbrush in just a matter of minutes. There are different types available on the market — from ones designed for solo use, to others made for the whole family. Portable versions are also available for those who are often on the go!

Shop for a UV toothbrush sanitiser here.

Also read: 10 Items That Will Make Your Digital Nomad Life a Whole Lot Easier

Do you already have some of these sanitation gadgets at home? Let us know which ones you recommend!