Going away toiletries….

[Richie]

Seeking the collective wisdom of Mumsnetters….! Over the years, I have changed how I pack my toiletries, when going away. It often seems one of the heavier inner bags of the suitcase or bag, as well as one of the most delicate, given the nature of the contents (lotions, shampoo, makeup, deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste, sun creams, etc, etc)! So, my question is, how do you pack these toiletries in order that they don’t get squashed or worse still - burst open/split/leaked….? All in one bag/container? All in separate bags/ziplocks? Over to you lovely peeps, for all the best ideas please….. 🤷🏼‍♀️🥴

In the past i have packed in carrier bags. This year I've used packing cubes (from matalan) and then put the whole thing inside a bin liner in case anything bursts

I travel a lot for work as well as holidays. About 15 years ago I bought a bunch of small glass jars and just decant the amount of face cream etc that I need. And I save mini bottles that you get in nice hotels for shampoo etc.
The only time I've had one of the jars break is when I dropped it on a quarry tile floor.
https://www.ampulla.co.uk/product-category/glass/glass-cosmetic-jars/

@dementedpixie thank you. I have been wondering about packing cubes but are they robust enough or even big enough? 😊

@Richie They come in a variety of sizes. I have suncream and toiletries in mine for a family of 4. Only bought them this year so don't know how robust they are

@SpikyHatePotato thank you. Seems a good idea too, but isn’t glass too heavy perhaps? (Thank you for the links, as well 👍🏻)

i put everything in my usual wash bag then put the whole thing in a large ziplock bag.

I travel a lot for work and have moved to solid versions where I can (shampoo/deodorants etc) - brilliant when you’re hand luggage only. I also have little plastics tubs that I put day cream/night cream in etc which have stood me in very good stead over the years. Anything I’m really worried about (tubes etc) I put in plastic bags which then stay in the suitcase for the next time.

When I have to take copious amounts of toiletries back with me (I live outside UK) I put cling film around the container then in a ziplock bag which I can use later, never had any split plastic or broken glass (esp food stuff).

Or you can decant into travel containers such as shampoo/conditioner/face wash etc. depending for how long your away, but thats no good for sun lotion which I do as above.

Or buy after security (perhaps order online for collection) of course dependant on your hand luggage allowance. Also dependant on where your going can you get any of your toiletries when you arrrive?

I used to travel a lot with work (and leisure too) and I still have the same habits so keep travel/sample sizes of everything I need in a separate wash bag that lives in my case / travel bag. Before I travel, I double check that nothing needs replacing / topping up. Job done.

I use bars when I can. Shampoo, body wash and deodorant. You can get good travel holders for them.
Everything is in a fairly thick wash bag and all my clothes etc are in packing cubes so there’s at least 2 layers between them. Unfortunately the local airport doesn’t have a boots for click and collect or I’d do that too.

I’ve got squeezy travel bottles which I don’t overfill so they don’t tend to pop and little tubs.

As a complete product obsessive - I have those zip up plastic cases and I’ll have one for hair, one for face, one for body etc..

I only use hard shell cases so things don't leak.

Thank you everyone, some excellent tips and ideas here, much appreciated 👌🏻👍🏻😊

@MrsPlantagenet ….sorry if I am being really dumb here (quite possible!), but what do you mean by hard shell cases please? 😬🥴

I just keep all mine in a clear plastic washbag, check it and replace anything that needs it, then put it in the case, I've never had anything leak or split and never really thought about it TBH.

How do you know what you’ve put in each jar though? I always get confused when I arrive.

@AmeliaHarbottle Label maker!

I have everything but my face cream always in my washbag and that just goes into the suitcase.

Face cream is added either in the morning or the day before (I have a small travel size one I use on the day of travelling if the suitcase has to be fully packed the night before).

If we go for a 2 week holiday larger bottles of shower gel/shampoo/sun cream are put in carrier bags. We never had any leakage from there.

I do all mini versions of liquids or pastes in a leather wash bag. All tooth brushes, tweezers, razors etc go in another bag. Then I have a bag for hair comb, bands and jewellery ( I have long hair and I end up with strands in everything otherwise).

All three are separate to what I use day to day so they are ready to go.

I use mini bottles you can get in hotels and decant my stuff into them for short trips. Then I put them in my washbag. Then wrap the whole thing in a sturdy carrier bag just in case it explodes.i travel a lot and have only had one breakage, but as the bottles were small there was little damage. I haven't tried packing cubes and I'm not sure they are waterproof anyway.

I use mini bottles from hotels too.

Oooh!

I travel hand luggage only, so my toiletries are travel sized or decanted, and live in the clear ziplock bag for security, until my next trip when I check for replacements. Don’t have leaks. I don’t open any liquid handcream or lip balm on flights, as they do leak at altitude once opened. For perfume, I use the sachets that my perfumer sends out as samples with their newsletter; one a day. Take up no space and they don’t count as liquids.

To stop leaks I take tops of bottle or tube, tear a piece of cling film, place it over orifice and then screw lid on/replace top.

Her cases are hard plastic rather than soft fabric ones