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Best toiletry bags 2023: budget, travel-sized and clear options for the bathroom and beyond
Whether it’s for a holiday, a work trip or a hospital stay, a good quality toiletry bag is a packing essential. We’ve found the best wash bags to keep your toiletries organised and your suitcase free of messy spills.
By Jenny Elliott | Last updated May 12, 2023
As sure as night follows day, a shampoo bottle will somehow leak while sitting in a suitcase. But no worries – a good toiletry bag will save the day.
As well as keeping your clothes safe from unsightly spills, a toiletry bag can also make life easier. Nifty pockets and compartments ensure shower gels, sanitary products and plasters are all easy to find.
The trick is picking the right wash bag to suit your travel style and family size. Are you that mythical beast that can travel with hand luggage only? Or do you need all your potions and lotions to make a trip away feel like a real holiday?
Whatever your budget, suitcase size or destination, you should be able find a toiletry bag to suit your packing needs in our roundup below which includes plenty of recommendations from the Mumsnet forums.
Here are the best toiletry bags to buy.
Best toiletry bags at a glance
- Best overall: Reisenthel Toiletry Bag XL | Buy now £20
- Best budget: FIYUK Clear Tote Bag | Buy now £9
- Best large: Liberty Large Mabelle Wash Bag | Buy now £48
- Best compact: Osprey Ultralight Washbag Roll | Buy now £25
- Best luxury: Stackers Blush Hanging Washbag | Buy now £59
- Best for travel-sized products: Elizabeth Scarlett Palm Pouch | Buy now £32
- Best for airport security: BlueSkye Airport Security Liquids Bag | Buy now £13
- Best drawstring: The Flat Lay Co. Make Up Bag | Buy now £23
- Best with compartments: OneNine5 Eco-Friendly Travel Bag | Buy now £49
1. Best overall toiletry bag: Reisenthel Toiletry Bag XL
Price on writing: £20 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 28 x 25 x 10 cm | Material: Polyester
What we like
- Sturdy and durable
- Range of different patterns and colours to choose from
What we don't like
- If you want to travel light, you may want to consider something smaller
What Mumsnet users say
"Fab and very big." Tried and tested by Mumsnetter BarchesterFlowers
Our verdict
This good quality toiletry bag is a firm favourite with Mumsnetters. It comes in different colours and designs and the compartments hold full-sized bottles as well as keeping smaller bits and bobs organised. There’s also a sturdy hook for hanging it up in bathrooms and a handy little mirror too.
It’s not the bag to choose if you have plans to travel light, but its generous size should save you packing a separate makeup bag.
2. Best budget toiletry bag: FIYUK Clear Tote Bag
Price on writing: £9 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 32.5 x 28.5 x 4.6 cm | Material: PVC
What we like
- Budget-friendly price
- Handy straps for easy transportation
What we don't like
- Can't be used to take items through airport security
Our verdict
This transparent, wipe-clean toiletry bag is made from robust PVC and is a great option for the price. Its size means there shouldn’t be any problems fitting in full-sized shampoo bottles and toothbrushes. Hang it on the back of a door using the long handles or save some suitcase space, and double it up as a beach bag. It’s too big for carrying toiletries through airport security, but otherwise it’s a practical choice.
3. Best large toiletry bag: Liberty Large Mabelle Wash Bag
Price on writing: £48| Buy now from Liberty
Key specs
Size: 29.5 x 19 x 7 cm | Material: Tana Lawn™ Cotton with a nylon lining
What we like
- Classic Liberty print
- Nice and roomy
What we don't like
- It is on the pricey side
What Mumsnet users say
"Perhaps have a look at Liberty - I have one of their own label wash bags that has been very hard wearing (travel a lot for work)." Recommended by Mumsnetter piscesangel
Our verdict
If you are looking for a stylish, but hard-wearing, wash bag option, then you could do no better than this beautiful bag from Liberty of London.
The Liberty Large Mabelle Wash Bag has a roomy interior, so it can comfortably accommodate your makeup essentials, beauty tools and skincare products. An internal zip pocket will help to keep your personal or small items secure and safe. The gorgeous Mabelle print was created by Liberty Fabrics’ in-house team. It's the perfect companion if you like to travel in style.
4. Best compact roll-up toiletry bag: Osprey Ultralight Washbag Roll
Price on writing: £25 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 15.2 x 7.6 x 22.9 cm | Material: Nylon
What we like
- Lightweight and doesn't take up much room in luggage
What we don't like
- Limited space means it may not the best choice for a family holiday
Our verdict
Weighing less than 400g, what this toiletry bag lacks in style it makes up for in no-nonsense practicality. It can roll up small, has a sturdy hook for hanging and even has a small mirror.
The larger main compartment will keep travel-sized bottles safe. The mesh pockets are good for toothbrushes and other bits and pieces and although it’s too compact for a family holiday, it’s a great wash bag for a night away or a trip to the gym.
5. Best luxury toiletry bag: Stackers Blush Hanging Washbag
Price on writing: £59 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 26 x 14 x 27 cm | Material: Faux leather
What we like
- Made from vegan-friendly material
- Very spacious
What we don't like
- Pricey
Our verdict
This chic toiletry bag, made from blush pink vegan leather, lives up to Stackers’ reputation for clever, high-quality design. The main compartment holds full-sized bottles, and there are plenty of handy pockets too. The champagne-gold hanging hook and zips add a touch of elegance. The removable, clear wash bag is a brilliant little extra; it fits in the main bag but is also ideal for overnight trips and slipping into hand luggage.
6. Best toiletry bag for travel-sized toiletries: Elizabeth Scarlett Palm Tree Pouch
Price on writing: £32 | Buy now from Anthropologie
Key specs
Size: 20 x 30cm | Material: 100% cotton velvet
What we like
- Vibrant design
- Soft feel
What we don't like
- A bit on the pricey side
What Mumsnet users say
“Elizabeth Scarlett do beautiful velvet ones.” Recommended by Mumsnet user bubblicious3
Our verdict
The velvety-smooth Elizabeth Scarlett Palm Tree Pouch is the perfect size for stashing your makeup and travel toiletries before setting off on your next big adventure.
Here at Mumsnet we love this hot pink bag, covered in carefully embroidered gold palm trees. But if palm trees aren't your (ahem) bag, then the pouch is available in a range of other vibrant colours and designs, including embroidered turtles, seahorses and suns. If this tropical-themed bag doesn't manage to get you in to the holiday spirit, then we're afraid nothing will.
7. Best clear toiletry bag for airport security: BlueSkye Airport Security Liquids Bag
Price on writing: £13 (for six) | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 22 x 21 cm | Material: PVC
What we like
- Reusable
- Great for avoiding airport faffing
What we don't like
- Not the prettiest toiletry bags around - these are all about practicality
Our verdict
These transparent toiletry bags come in packs of six and should ensure minimum faff at airport security. Designed to conform to Civil Aviation Authority guidelines, the bags are designed to fit 100ml travel bottles. They’re made from one sheet of good-quality PVC, so they’re stronger than cheap freezer bags and the fact they’re reusable adds to their eco-credentials. The loop handle is a convenient plus when you are juggling children, passports and multiple cases.
8. Best compact drawstring toiletry bag: The Flat Lay Co. Make Up Bag
Price on writing: £23 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 18 cm across when closed with a 51 cm diameter when opened | Material: Woven polyester
What we like
- Great for those who like minimal faffing around when they pack
- Good for stashing quite a lot of toiletries and makeup
What we don't like
- Everything can get a little bit jumbled - you may want to look elsewhere if you like a little more order when packing
Our verdict
For packers who prefer the quick and simple approach, this drawstring toiletry bag is ideal. Lay it out flat, and it’s easy to see where everything is. Select what you need, then quickly scoop it all back up. There are two outer pockets, an inner pocket and a few elasticated holders for added organisation. When rolled out, it can also double as a handy cosmetics mat to protect any surfaces or linen from stray powder or lipstick smudges.
9. Best toiletry bag with compartments: OneNine5 Eco-Friendly Travel Wash Bag
Price on writing: £49 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Size: 18 x 23 x 7 cm | Material: PU Leather and 100% recycled polyester
What we like
- Made from vegan and eco-friendly materials
- Slimline design
What we don't like
- A little on the pricey side
- Not as spacious as other toiletry bags on our list
Our verdict
Keen on a helpful compartment? This smart, eco-conscious wash bag is too – the seven separate pockets are great for keeping everything organised. What’s more, the larger, transparent bag detaches and can be used for taking travel-sized toiletries through airport security.
The lining is made from recycled plastic; the outside is crafted from water-repellent, vegan leather. It isn’t as spacious as some other toiletry bags, but its slim design and hanging hook make it a practical, elegant option.
Best toiletry bags: Editor's picks
How to choose the best toiletry bag
Start by thinking about the toiletries you want to fit into the bag. Are travel size bottles and a handful of essentials normally enough for you and your family? If so, opt for a compact wash bag that will save on suitcase space.
If you don’t want the faff of decanting shampoos and shower gels into smaller bottles, a more generous toiletry bag may be the answer. In which case, it might be a good idea to measure the bigger bottles in your bathroom cabinet to make sure they’ll fit.
Either way, a quality toiletry bag can be a good investment, so it might be worth spending a little more on something that will last for years.
What’s the best material for a toiletry bag?
Above all, a toiletry bag needs to contain any leakages. So water-resistant PVCs, nylons, polyesters and faux leathers all work well. Also, consider how easy the bag will be to clean. Choosing a reusable wash bag is a good choice for the environment; selecting a bag made from recycled, cruelty-free materials is even better.
What is the best toiletry bag to buy?
We love the chic Stacker’s hanging toiletry bag and the eco-friendly option from OneNine5. However, in terms of quality for the money, the Reisenthel Toiletry Bag XL gets our vote. It’s generous size and hanging hook makes it a practical choice for families. It’s also stylish enough for a girls’ weekend away.
How we choose our recommendations
We’ve thoroughly researched the best toiletry bags you can buy this season including tried-and-tested experiences from a wide range of honest, trusted sources. Here’s how we narrowed it down to our top picks.
Mumsnet community
When it comes to stylish and practical toiletry bags, Mumsnetters know a trusty carrier when they see (and use) one.
We first assessed all the recommendations from the Mumsnet community, getting feedback on the best toiletry bags they have personally used, reviewed and rated, including their favourite models, and must-have additional features. We also considered the reasons why Mumsnetters would avoid certain toiletry bags.
Expert opinions
We know that choosing the right toiletry bag takes a lot of thought and consideration, so we made sure our recommendations were well received within the bags and luggage industry, rated or recommended by travel experts and industry leaders.
Trusted consumer reviews
Finally, we scrutinised honest customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon and John Lewis to get wider consumer opinions on the products on our shortlist. Through this research, we were able to weigh up the best toiletry bags for a variety of needs and gain a greater understanding of the pros and cons of each.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
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