September 12, 2025, 4:04 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

Liquid containers in carry-on luggage must—at least for now—not exceed 100 milliliters, times ten equals the liter allowed on the plane. However, you often don’t need that much shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, and creams for a (short) trip; many bottles and jars are unnecessarily transported around the globe. But there is a solution: With a little creative preparation in your home bathroom, even a straw can be repurposed as an optimal travel companion in your toiletry bag.

Opt for a Coated Toiletry Bag

Especially when traveling, you should choose a toiletry bag with an interior coating. It’s more hygienic, and if something does leak, you can easily wash out the inside of the cosmetic bag or wipe it with a cloth.

Use Sample Sizes

To save space in the toiletry bag and avoid taking unnecessary products, sample sizes available at any drugstore are ideal. From micellar water to shampoo and body lotion, almost everything is available in mini format.

Use Reusable Plastic Containers

The simplest solution can be found for a few cents at any drugstore: resealable plastic bottles in various sizes. Cream jars from the pharmacy are also suitable for multiple uses. Fill with the desired amount and save yourself the hassle of carrying large bottles. There are also small atomizers for perfumes, though they can be tricky to refill since large bottles rarely open. In general, reusable plastic containers are more environmentally friendly and take up less space in the toiletry bag.

Plastic Wrap Trick Prevents Leaks in Toiletry Bag

To ensure body lotion and hair oil don’t leak and cause a mess in the suitcase or toiletry bag (whether originally packaged or decanted), a look in the kitchen cupboard can help. Not only can opened food be sealed airtight with plastic wrap, but it also provides an ideal leak-proof solution for screw-top bottles: simply unscrew the cap, loosely place the wrap over the bottle opening, and then screw the cap back on tightly. The wrap ensures a secure hold of the screw mechanism, preventing the cap from unscrewing on its own.

Straw for Single-Use Shampoo Portions

For a business trip, a smartly packed trolley is essential: not only should it contain office-appropriate attire, but also an evening outfit must fit in the carry-on. Since you need various cosmetics even for an overnight stay, a space-saving alternative is necessary to fit the toiletry bag. The handy single-use portion in a straw could be the solution.

Cut the straws to the desired length, seal one end with tape, or briefly heat the end with a lighter, press it together, and reseal. Now fill each straw from the open end with toothpaste, lotion, conditioner, shampoo, etc. (thicker straws are particularly suitable.) Then, seal this side as well, label the straw, and your mini cosmetic selection is ready. For complete security, transport in a plastic bag—and, of course, not at the bottom of the suitcase (risk of squashing!). Dispose of after use and enjoy pulling a light trolley on the way home.

Collect Mini Samples

Do you also tear out samples of hair products and skin creams from magazines, store them in the bathroom cabinet, and never use them? If you can do without your familiar beauty products, simply embark on a care experiment on your next trip. The advantage: The amount is sufficient for one to two overnight stays, weighs virtually nothing, takes up little space in the toiletry bag, is already well-sealed, and doesn’t return home. And if the free conditioner amount is not enough, just use the small bottles in the hotel bathroom. You can also wash and reuse them. But beware of the vicious cycle: You can quickly accumulate a lot of small, half-empty plastic bottles that never get used.

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Toothpaste Drops for On-the-Go

Practical for on-the-go and especially for long trips: toothpaste drops. The small tablets are available in drugstores or pharmacies. Typically, one tablet is chewed with the molars for one brushing. With a moistened toothbrush, you can then brush your teeth as usual. The advantage: The drops fit in any toiletry bag and are especially suitable for freshening up during a long flight, as the 100ml limit does not apply here.

Solid Shampoo Can’t Leak in Toiletry Bag

If you want to ensure that nothing leaks in the cosmetic bag during a long trip, you should opt for solid care products. The obvious advantage: What isn’t liquid can’t leak or smear in the travel bag. Many products, like shampoo or conditioner, are now also available in solid form. The product is used like a bar of soap—moistened with a little water during washing. This creates a lather that can be easily massaged into the scalp. Often, solid shampoos are also more economical and environmentally friendly. Additional travel benefits: The hair soap takes up little space in the bag, and you don’t have to worry about liquid restrictions.