I must admit that I am a bit of a germophobe mom. I realize that germs are literally everywhere and aren’t always a bad thing, but I become extra vigilant when we’re in public places or around large groups of people.

I’m one of those people who only hovers, never sits, on a public toilet seat. When I use a PIN pad, all I can think about is how many other people have touched it. And I’d rather put garbage in my pocket than touch one of those trash cans with the flappy opening.

It’s a little excessive, I know.

But just because I’m germophobic does not mean that I want to project that fear on my kids. My toddler plays in sandboxes and touches everything on the playground. My baby picks up toys from the floor and puts them in her mouth.

In the back of my mind, I cringe to think of how disgusting the environment is, especially during cold and flu season. But I let my daughters enjoy themselves (and then decontaminate them when they’re done).

To satisfy my hyper-awareness of grime, we have a few items in our arsenal to help with the dirt and germs. We keep each of these products in our diaper bag at all times:

Hand Sanitizer Spray

This hand sanitizer is coconut lemon scented and smells so yummy, like lemon pound cake! It also doesn’t leave my hands feeling dry or filmy. I love it! We buy the box of six sprays so we can keep one everywhere we need them (diaper bag, both cars, purse, gym bag). They also last super long. We haven’t even used up a whole bottle yet.

Disposable Placemats

Placemats are great for when we eat at a park or a restaurant. Picnic tables are outside so I just assume they’re filthy, but restaurants use the same mucky rags to wipe everything and I know those tables aren’t clean.

Since my toddler can’t keep food on her plate, these placemats are a nice backup for her little messes. They are adhesive, can be used on any surface, and come in slim packaging to fit easily in your diaper bag.

Heavy Duty Wipes

This particular version of baby wipes is a little tougher than the regular. You can use them for diaper changes, but they’re EXTRA-durable and specially made for wiping off messy faces and hands.

Travel Clorox Wipes

When a baby wipe just won’t cut it, these travel Clorox wipes are perfect for disinfecting surfaces and toys. The packs are light and compact so they take up almost no space in your diaper bag.

Folding Potty Seat

We found this potty seat when we were potty training my two-year-old so that she could comfortably (and cleanly) use the restroom when we were out. It fits on every toilet we’ve ever come across and just folds right up when you’re not using it. We use a Clorox wipe to clean it before we pack it away each time.

Be sure to check out my potty training tips if you have a toddler!

Pacifier Clips

One time we were grocery shopping without a pacifier clip and the baby dropped her pacifier on the ground. I was horrified and so sad thinking about all of the dirty shoes that had been walking around there.

I know there are special pacifier wipes, but I would much rather just bring it home and wash it the conventional way. The pacifier clip is the perfect preventative measure.

Plastic Bags

These plastic bags are intended for dirty diapers, but they can be used for so much more! If your kid falls in a mud puddle or spills a cup of milk on themselves, change their clothes and put the dirty outfit in one of these bags until you get home. This way, your car stays clean and you don’t have to worry about anything else getting messy.

Skip Hop Backpack

And to hold everything, this is the diaper bag we have! We got a backpack because we wanted something my husband could use without feeling too feminine. It’s super spacious and fits all of these germophobe items plus everything we need for our baby and toddler (change of clothes, snacks, water, etc).

Stay Clean and Healthy!

There’s really no way to completely avoid germs, but all of these items help ease a little of my anxiety. Of course, when it comes to staying clean, nothing beats washing your hands often and using a little common sense.

Head over to my Amazon store to see what else you need in your diaper bag!

Are you germophobic? What are your must-haves?

See my 7 tips for surviving outings with a baby and a toddler!

Talk to you soon!