Guests using your shower gel?

[MrsB76]

This is really just a minor niggle but I'm curious - is it really silly of me to begrudge visiting family members the use of my shower gel? I just had my MIL and SIL stay for a few days overnight and I bought them travel size toiletries (they came on a plane) and DH thinks I should be more hospitable and just let them use my shower gel (well mine and his) and toothpaste. Really?

[mathanxiety]

Biddy, that is our situation here too. My DCs are older and have all had their own stuff since they were each about 9 or 10. Having their own nice gel or soap or whatever encouraged them to be enthusiastic about their daily shower. The DDs have their own toiletry bags permanently packed with a toothbrush and mini toothpaste plus sample size deodorant and small shower gel for sleepovers they go to. My own makeup and moisturiser and deodorant are kept in a toiletry bag at home so all I have to do is zip it and pack it. I keep a few duplicate items in my handbag for touching up.

When I have someone staying I put basic toiletries in their bedroom and hope they get the hint that whether they brought their own or not, mine are off limits. The thought of guests scraping their toothbrushes over the family toothpaste gives me the heebejeebies. I also provide a set of bath towels for guests. I have one bathroom and I am pretty sure my guests would prefer to have their towels clearly distinguished from those already in use in the bathroom.

[HippyPottyMouth]

I always take my own, after an awkward experience as a teen. I didn't pack toiletries, assuming I could use a bit of my friend's, then was provided with the Guest Bathroom! I'd never heard of such a thing, but there was no toothpaste in it. The soap on the washbasin was fine for the shower, but not so much for teeth. Visitors here are welcome to use whatever is out in the family bathroom, but I'd be a bit surprised if they went rummaging in the drawers unless they had a sanitary towel emergency. DH has special toiletries for his psoriasis, but they live in the en suite so are safe.

[BiddyPop]

We have individual washbags permenantly packed as well. DH and I travel for work (him a LOT more frequently), we live away from "home" and have regular weekends there, and have other travel as a family or DD and I with Scouts.

So I have a big washbag with everything (toiletries and meds), but got into the habit with DFIL very ill last year of having just an "essentials" bag as well (the big one has bits for a mini-facial when I have a spare half hour in a hotel, nail varnish for while I wait for others to get ready, that sort of thing). I also have a full makeup kit for travelling too, which is in a separate small pouch (I keep a second at home in my dressing table, and a 3rd in my drawer at work). It's much easier to pack, especially on a Friday after work to drive "down home", if I can just grab washbags and a few clothes without thinking too hard.

[BiddyPop]

I would put out mini ones in guest room for them to use. But I always feel that my toiletries are for me to use. I don't mind sharing toothpaste, and if guests need some, that's fine.

But we all use different toiletries in this house anyway - between skin allergies, preferences and occasional treating myself to L'Occitane refreshing stuff to get me going in the morning (at €17 a bottle, I make that last MONTHS!), we all have different ones.

Occasionally DH and I will share a lemon or lime shower gel, and DD has got to like that as well, so that would tend to be our "go to" for travelling, so we'll all share it.

But for everyday use at home, or when travelling for weekends etc, we all take our own. And we'd expect guests to bring their own toiletries too. Which has always been the norm in both our families.

Spare emergency toothbrushes are available, and we will provide spare other bits if wanted, but really, I would not like a guest helping themselves to my or any of our toiletries without asking. Some of them are quite specialist (not just my treat ones - DH has some for skin problems and DD did for a few years as well).

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

That's a very good description of my DH's washbag arrangement MrsK.

[MrsKoala]

Math - that's a good idea about the list, i may steal that. I am seriously disorganised and probably forget at least 2 important things when i go away. I think i am definitely in the minority, especially the older i get where everyone else seems to have grown up and i still live a bit studenty. I am now imagining all you fragrant and groomed MNers wafting about the place while i run about like a headless chicken shoving a half used bottle of shampoo in my bag and it leaking everywhere.

[HolsW]

Family - can use everything: the soap, shampoo, toothpaste, the whole lot! (Not the toothbrushes)

Other guests - can use almost everything, but not the toothpaste (not because I care, but I worry they would, so I provide a mini one too (next to our one, so they can still use that!))

Don't get the problem, but each to their own.

I would put away anything I don't want used.

[MummySparkle]

Shower gel, shampoo, soap, conditioner and any moisturiser from the bathroom all fine.

Tooth paste, no frigging way! FIL used it when he stayed and it's gross. Why would you want somebody else's germy toothbrush wiping against your toothpaste tube, and then when you squeeze the next bit out all of their toothbrush germs go in your mouth. Gross gross gross!

I have been know to squeeze a blob away and wipe the tube, also known to buy a new tube and hide it after FIL has used mine. Then bin the old one and replace it with the new one as soon as he is gone.

[mathanxiety]

I have a big empty toiletry bag which contains only my list of things to pack in it so I won't find myself running around like a scalded earwig at the last moment, gathering bits and bobs and forgetting half of what I mean to bring.

[limitedperiodonly]

MrsKoala I think I'm a bit like you though I wouldn't use someone else's toothbrush. I'd scrub my teeth with a towel and then rub their toothpaste on with my finger and slosh.

It would never occur to me that someone was sharing their germs by squeezing my toothpaste onto their brush

[Inertia]

It's honestly much less of a faff to have the travel stuff ready to pack. We don't travel anywhere exotic, but we do live several hours from all our family so have to stay over to see them.

[whois]

I have had a totally separate wash bag packed and ready to go, also contained medical stuff and some basic make up by not my full set. Makes much more sense than having to get stuff together all the time. Started this at uni when I was away for my hobby Most weekends and still find it invaluable now I'm away about once a month.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

Mine just lives in a basket in the top of my wardrobe, with a few other small travel things (canvas bags, travel hairdryer). We stay overnight somewhere at least once every school holidays (ILs live some distance away) and it's easier to just keep it packed than to start from scratch every time. I had no idea it wasn't a normal thing to do, but it isn't something I've ever discussed with anyone in real life.

[BeaufortBelle]

I have a washbag - has mini sizes of everything, toothbrush, nail file, plasters, couple of days supply of all my tablets. And go. DH has one too. He travels a lot --and brings home mini sizes of oodles of shwr gel, shampoo, conditioner, soap, little toothpastes, etc. They are all kept in a basket in the guest bathroom. If I didn't have them, or an extra bathroom, I don't think it's in my soul to begrudge anyone a squirt or three.

[MrsKoala]

fucking hell you lot are organised, and you travel a lot more than me too! I suspect if i had a packed kit it would just be taunting and reminding me i never go anywhere!

[MrsKoala]

I'm not being disingenuous or holier than thou . Having things packed at the ready seems like a faff, not the products as such, and calling it a kit is something ive never heard of.

considering i only have time to shower 1-2 times a week, all that stuff seems a lot to me. I also have never had a house big enough to keep packed toiletries/bags and others on the go in the bathroom. I don't know anyone who is that organised either so doubt anyone i know has all that stuff packed just in case.

Even when i was pregnant i didn't have a bag packed as i kept having to take things out daily to use them.

When i got rushed into hospital a kind mner brought me some shampoo

[Inertia]

I keep a washbag permanently packed . It means I never forget my toothbrush and need to share anyone else's. The stuff I use everyday stays in the bathroom, ready to use.

The washbag lives in the cupboard with my travel makeup bag, travel slippers, travel hairdryer, travel straighteners, and travel chargers- all ready to just be packed straight into the bag.

[tinofbiscuits]

I have a washbag which would equate to the toiletry kits mentioned. Just the same thing with a different name.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

I have a permanently packed "toiletry kit", which I call my washbag. It has in it shampoo, conditioner, razor, spare contact lenses, tin of Nivea, facial sunblock, toothbrush and paste, hairgrips and bunchbands, soap, comb. Then I just add my contact lens solution, case and glasses on the day and off I go, it caters for everything from camping trips to 5 star hotels.

[LeaLeander]

I too have a travel toiletry kit and so does everyone I know. Mine is always packed and at the ready.

If staying in hotel I travel with all of the items AppleSetsSail mentions and sometimes more. Manicure supplies, facial mud packs, whatever I think I'll wish to use while on vacation or down time on a business trip.

Staying with close friends, I take stuff but am welcome to use theirs. Staying with sister, or vice versa, we use the hosts' supplies and thus travel with lighter luggage.

Shoving a bar of soap and tube of toothpaste in a bag and calling it good may work for some but there is no need to act disingenuous and holier than thou about it. One person's "faff" is another's "good grooming," after all.

[MrsKoala]

I have never heard of a 'Toiletry Kit' in my life. It sounds really technical and like a complicated tool box to me. We have a wash bag that we stuff some bits in, but certainly nothing as elaborate as yours. I don't even use that many products at home let alone when travelling. Sounds like a horrendous faff.

With the packed and ready to go stuff, do you then have others on the go in your bathroom and keep double the quantity of everything in the house, some ready to take away with you and some you use daily? Or do you put the stuff you use daily back in your kit every time you use it so it's ready at the drop of a hat to go?

[Needthesunshine]

There's a risk of spreading hepatitis B and C through sharing toothbrushes and razors so I wouldn't do it. Wouldn't bother me sharing toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo and such like.

[AppleSetsSail]

I take my own shampoo and conditioner and moisturiser as i am particular about that, but shower gel/soap and toothpaste i just don't care about. What else would you take in a 'toiletry kit '?

Why the quotes around 'toiletry kit'? It's not an obscure invention of mine.

I take everything I'd need at home: shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, bath puff, razor, moisturiser, deodorant, hair oil, hair spray, perfume, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, etc. It's not difficult; it's permanently packed and ready to go.

I'd never choose to use someone else's toiletries, apart from my sister who uses pretty much the same stuff that I do. We have some friends who we stay with in the country quite a lot - she's very into 'organic' products, lots of mint and lavender and lemon .

That said, I wouldn't find it weird if someone wanted to use my products.

[AlmaMartyr]

I normally take this stuff with me. I'd be quite happy if someone bought me travel sized things to use, very thoughtful. Equally happy to use their normal stuff but yes, normally take my own toiletries. I don't mind what guests use here really, but very happy for them to use my stuff if they want. Didn't realise this was a big thing really!

[Notso]

People are so weird. I usually take my own toiletries incase I find myself staying with some tight-fisted loons and I like a particular brand of shampoo and conditioner. However I love to have a nose at whatever other people use.
My sister has a really good foot scrubbing thing that I always use, at least I assume it's hers. Might be her DP's.