How to Keep Your Luggage Free of Toiletries
Have you ever opened your suitcase and found your favorite hair product dripping all over your clothes? If you’ve ever had toiletries that ruined your luggage, here’s how to make sure it never happens again.
Don’t pack big bottles
If you are packing a large bottle, you will need to check the bag. If you check a bag with a large bottle inside, you increase your chances of the bottle leaking or exploding. Do not do this.
My husband once packed a huge bottle of coconut oil and it messed up so many things that we couldn’t get the oil out even after a few washings.
Your checked baggage is not placed neatly on conveyor belts – it is thrown around. Do you want to buy a brand new wardrobe when you travel? Not? Do not take large bottles with you.
Use the bottle sizes required by TSA.
The TSA required limit for liquids is 3.4 ounces per bottle in carry-on baggage. This includes liquids, aerosols, gels, pastes, and creams. There is no size limit for checked baggage, but you already know you can’t pack large bottles, right?
It is also good to know that internationally, not all countries have the same calibration rules. As I drove through London Heathrow Airport, I had a relatively small jar of body cream that was confiscated even though it met United States TSA standards and the jar was half empty. According to their rule , the bank was larger than the allowed one. Always know before you leave.
Place them in clear plastic with labels.
TSA requires your carry-on baggage to comply with the 3-1-1 rule: three ounce containers, one clear plastic bag per quart, and one bag per traveler.
Labeling bottles can make your life so much easier by avoiding confusion and delays thanks to safety. While driving through Frankfurt Airport in Germany, I had a small carry-on backpack filled with toiletries. Their security made me pull each of them out and tell them what they represent before putting them in the bucket for scanning and then letting me pack them all back into my bag – before running to my gate. If I tagged each item, I would save a lot of time and stress.
The companies are now doing the job for you and have brilliantly crafted TSA-sized bottles that come in clear, reusable plastic bags with labels.
Your best bet is to just glue all the lids and the top to the toiletry. First, wrap the tape through the product outlet. Second, tape the part where the cap meets the bottle.
Stack package
I stack my styling to keep my toiletries in place and not move. Think of packing a stack like a sandwich:
- Place tightly folded clothing such as denim on top of the bottom layer.
- Make your toiletries the meat of your sandwich stack by placing them right in the middle.
- Add the top layer of the garment.
- Also, add extra clothing or items to the sides of your packaged toiletries to keep them packaged.
Most of the time, toiletries will open and ruin your belongings because there is too much space in them. By condensing the movement of the bottles, you can reduce the likelihood of cracking, breakage, or product leakage from the caps. However, don’t place heavy items on top of your toiletries – you don’t want to crush them.
Buy or use toiletries at your destination
Most of the products we use can be found at our destinations. Some of us just need our own stuff – I understand. But your hotels and other accommodations usually offer free shampoo, conditioner and lotion – use them. There is always a convenience store or pharmacy where you can find all the toiletries you need without packing anything or risking ruining your clothes or electronics. Also, it can be interesting to find products from different locations around the world.