How To Pack Carry-On Toiletries In Hand Luggage The Smart Way

Last Updated on September 16, 2022

Key Takeaways

  • You should pack two carry-on toiletry bags, one for liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols, and another one for solids and toiletry accessories
  • To make space in your liquids bag learn how to substitute restricted liquid toiletries for unrestricted solid toiletries
  • Don’t pack more liquid toiletries than you need for the duration of your trip

For security reasons there are TSA guidelines on packing carry-on toiletries. Liquids are only able to be taken in to the airplane cabin in restricted quantities.

If you want a history lesson you can read my other blog post about why you can’t bring unlimited liquids on a plane.

Regardless of ”why”, TSA airport security agents will screen your liquids toiletry bag and you need to be pack it correctly or you might need to throw away expensive toiletries.

This post first outlines the problem and then delves into solutions for efficiently packing carry-on toiletries to make sure you can bring everything you need with you when you fly.

The Problem – Liquid Toiletries Must Be In Travel-Sized Containers

When you are packing carry-on luggage for flights in the United States the TSA liquids limit applies.

There are actually three liquids limits, this is also known as the 3-1-1 rule, each digit represents a different liquids limit for hand luggage.

The 3-1-1 rule doesn’t only apply to liquids, it applies to gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols.

The TSA often says “If you can squeeze it, smear it, pump it, spread it, spray it, or spill it then it’s considered a liquid”.

All these liquids need be in containers that are less then or equal to 3.4 ounces or 100 ml. Check this post if you want to see what 3.4 ounces looks like.

Also the TSA requires passengers to pack all travel-sized liquids in one quart-sized bag (one liter). That can be a basic clear disposable zip-top plastic bag but you can also use a so-called TSA-approved toiletries bag which is a way to cheat the quart-size limit to get more space for liquids.

The problem for travelers is that this is a pretty small bag and you can’t fit that many liquid toiletries in this plastic bag. You are only permitted one quart-bag per passenger.

Liquids that are larger than 3.4 ounces need to be packed in a checked bag. You cannot usually pack flammable liquids in checked bags but exemptions apply to toiletries.

You should also never pack expensive creams in checked luggage since they might be lost or even stolen.

The Solution – How To Pack Toiletries Like A Pro

The most efficient way to pack toiletries is to use two toiletries bags:

  • One smaller quart-size toiletry bag that will contain only your liquids
  • A second larger toiletry bag will contain any solid toiletries and toiletry accessories

Only the liquids bag needs to be removed from your carry-on bag when going through airport security.

Here’s how to bring all the carry-on toiletries that you need:

WHEN PACKING YOUR LIQUIDS TOILETRY BAG USE REFILLABLE BOTTLES

A set of refillable travel bottles is a smart move when packing carry-on toiletries.

The great thing about using refillable travel sized bottles is that you can pack only as much of the toiletry product as you need for your trip.

For example:

  • 3.4 ounces of toothpaste would last the average person 1 month. That’s overkill for a one week trip and a waste of valuable space in your quart size bag.
  • If you have short hair 3.4 oz of shampoo would be around 20 washes. Again, you might not need to pack so much.
  • A 3.4 tube of eye cream could last for an entire year. It makes no sense to pack so much for a short vacation.
  • 100 ml of perfume or would be around 1000 sprays.

You get the picture. 100 ml of a toiletry product isn’t always the sensible amount to take. A set of refillable travel sized bottles and jars in different sizes allow travelers to pack only as much as they need.

They also allow travelers to save money because buying off-the-shelf travel sized toiletries is much more expensive. It’s a good idea to own a collection of refillable bottles in various sizes.

For some liquid toiletries there is a different problem – 3.4 oz is nowhere near enough.

  • 3.4 oz of mouthwash will only give you 5 uses.
  • 100 ml of body wash or shower gel might only allow you to take 3 showers.

It’s in these scenarios that you should start looking for non-liquid alternative products.

WET WIPES ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE CARRY-ON LIQUIDS

This is one of my top tips.

If a product comes in a wet wipe version pack that rather the liquid version.

You don’t need to pack wet wipes in your quart-sized liquids bag.

SWAP OUT LIQUID TOILETRIES FOR SOLID VERSIONS

Solid toiletries don’t need to be packed in your quart size bag.

Many toiletries products are sold in liquid form because they appear to offer more value and are convenient to use at home.

But liquids toiletries are not convenient for traveling by plane. They are heavy, bulky, and the 3-1-1 rule makes them awkward to pack.

You can save space in your liquid toiletries bag and reduce the weight of your carry-on luggage by traveling light and packing less liquids.

Smart packers substitute liquid toiletries for solid versions.

Many beauty products come in solid or liquid versions. Always choose the solid version since it won’t need to be packed in your liquids bag.

SHARE TOILETRIES WITH A TRAVEL PARTNER

If you are traveling with a companion you don’t both need to pack toothpaste.

Avoid duplication to save space in your liquids bag.

POWDER TOILETRIES ARE NOT LIQUIDS

You don’t need to pack powders in your liquids bag but the TSA powders rule could apply.

If you have any powder in a container larger than 12 oz then it needs to be removed from your bag, placed in a separate tray, and presented for additional screening.

This is because large containers of powder can obstruct clear images on the x-ray machine at the checkpoint.

  • Dry shampoo can be purchased in powder format rather than aerosol
  • Powdered foundation is more TSA friendly than liquid foundation
  • You can even buy powdered shampoo
  • And yes powdered toothpaste is a thing

FOR LONGER TRIPS BUY TOILETRIES ON LOCATION

Rather than pay for a checked bag you could plan ahead and find grocery stores or a drug store near your destination.

The extra cost of checked baggage often means it’s cheaper just to buy shampoo or other required toiletries on location.

You might just need to pack enough supply to last you until you have time to visit the local stores.

  • Use Google Maps street view to find the closest drug store to your hotel

TOILETRY ACCESSORIES DON’T NEED TO BE PACKED IN YOUR LIQUIDS BAG

The other reason why you need two toiletries bags is all the accessories.

These don’t need to be in your liquids bag and they’ll just use up valuable space.

Make sure you don’t pack any non-liquid accessories in your liquids bag. This will leave room for actual liquids.

EXEMPTIONS APPLY FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY LIQUIDS

The TSA does not want to deprive passengers from taking liquid medications or prescription medication on planes.

The Transportation Security Administration does have methods to screen liquids to make sure they are safe. They just don’t have the time or resources to screen all the liquids for the 2 million passengers that fly daily.

Hand sanitizer is one liquid allowed on planes in quantities large than 3.4 oz.

If you are traveling with a medically necessary liquid you have a choice. If it is smaller than 3.4 oz you can pack it in your quart-size bag. If it is larger than 3.4 oz you should not pack it in your quart-size bag but you should remove it from your carry-on luggage at the airport security checkpoint and place it in a separate tray for additional screening.

The TSA agent will manually inspect the liquid, you should not need to provide a prescription as evidence.

EXEMPTIONS APPLY FOR INFANTS

You can bring liquid drinks on planes in quantities larger than 3.4 oz if they are for infants.

So breast milk and juice doesn’t need to be packed in your quart-size bag.

TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY

If you are traveling internationally then the airport security regulations for your departure country will apply.

In most cases the rules are similar and the liquids limit is 100 ml.

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