Tips for Packing a Toiletry Bag By Travel Addicts (2025)

Are you sick of finding that half of the contents in your toiletry kit have leaked all over your stuff? We hear you. We here at Vacation Countdown are addicted to traveling, and we’ve learned a lot in the process, including a foolproof way to pack your toiletries for travel.

In this article, we’re sharing 10 expert tips on how to pack a toiletry bag for travel. By following these simple tips, you can rest assured that your toiletries will stay secure and organized while you’re on the go.

Whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, you can now pack a toiletry bag like a pro! We also lay out the types of toiletry bags in the market to help you choose the right bag for different types of toiletries.

Different Toiletry Bag Types For Traveling

There are four main types of toiletry travel bags:

• Carry-on toiletry bags
• Travel toiletry bags
• Hanging toiletry bags
• Dopp kits

Let’s learn a bit more about each.

Carry On Toiletry Bag

The airlines restrict how many liquids, gels, and aerosols you can bring in your carry-on bag for air travel. In addition to that, all liquids have to be stored in a clear, quart-size plastic bag. You can use simple Zip-top baggies or a reusable clear bag to help you stay within the 3-1-1 rule by air security.

Travel Toiletry Bag

A travel toiletry bag is an excellent option if you want something larger than a carry-on toiletry bag. These bags are usually made from sturdy fabric and have plenty of compartments to help you organize your toiletries for travel.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

This type of travel toiletry bag is great if you stay in a hotel room with limited counter space. You can simply hang it on a towel rack or on the back of the door. An ideal hanging toiletry bag has several compartments to help you organize your travel-sized toiletries.

Dopp Kit Toiletry Bag

Named after early 20th-century leather craftsman Charles Doppelt, a leather craftsman, the Dopp kit is a toiletry bag staple. It’s often used by men but can be used by anyone. These kits usually have one large compartment for everything to fit into and a small side pocket for extra storage.

Now that you know the different types of bags, let’s get into our top 10 tips on how to pack a toiletry bag for traveling.

Top 10 Tips For Packing a Toiletry Bag

Whether you are wondering how to pack toiletries in your carry-on bag on long-haul flights or need creative ideas on how to pack and organize your liquids bag and beauty products in your checked bag, we’ve got you covered.

Here are our top 10 tips on packing your travel toiletries kit:

1. Choose The Right Toiletry Bag

As we mentioned, there are different bags four toiletries to choose from, depending on your needs. If you’re traveling by air and don’t take a checked bag, choose a small bag that complies with the 3-1-1 rule by air security to hold all your liquids. A reusable clear quart-size bag is the best option for your carry-on toiletries.

2. Write a Toiletry Bag Packing List

Make a list of all the items you need to pack for your trip. Having a list will help you keep track of everything and ensure you don’t forget anything important. If you are taking a checked suitcase, make one toiletries packing list for your suitcase and one for your carry-on bag or personal bag. Decide what you want to pack in each one.

3. Use Travel-sized Containers

To save space, decant your liquids into travel-sized containers. You can usually find these at your local drugstore or online. This will also help you stay within the 3-1-1 rule if you’re flying.

4. Invest in a Refillable Travel Bottle Set

If you’re tired of buying travel-sized bottles every time you go on a trip, investing in a refillable travel bottle set is a great option. When carrying liquid toiletries like shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, or face products, it’s important to choose a high-quality bottle set that won’t leak.

We like the GoToob silicone travel bottles from humangear. They’re durable, BPA-free, and TSA-approved, and they have a suction cup to attach them to the wall in your hotel shower.

Using refillable travel toiletry bottles gives you an option to use your favorite brands without taking the full-size bottles with you.

5. Be Mindful Of Liquids

When packing liquids, be sure to follow the 3-1-1 rule: each container can hold 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, and all containers must fit into a single 1-quart bag.

5. Consider Solid Travel Toiletries

If you’re tired of dealing with spills and leaks, consider solid travel toiletries like a body wash bar or shampoo bar. There are even conditioner bars and face wash bars! All these are great because they don’t leak, last longer, and save space.

Browse Amazon for products that fit your skincare routine or check if your favorite brand offers solid options.

6. Invest in Multi-Purpose Products

If you have multiple products that serve the same purpose, see if you can consolidate them into one container. For example, you can use a single sunscreen for your body and face, use a lotion that doubles as a body wash, or consider a shampoo conditioner combination.

Another idea is to use theall-in-one soap by Dr. Bronner. We tried it, and it works surprisingly well, even though we do not recommend brushing your teeth with it. You technically can, but the taste is not great!

7. Pack Your Makeup Separately

If you’re bringing makeup on your trip, we recommend packing it in a separate bag to keep everything organized. This will also help prevent your makeup from getting ruined if anything spills in your bag. If you travel only with a carry-on, pack your liquid items in your 3 1 1 bag and your dry items and brushes in a separate zipper pouch.

8. Get Creative with Packaging

There are all sorts of creative ways to package your toiletries. Here are some helpful ideas according to frequent travelers:

• Use contact lens cases for liquids.
• Use an empty lip balm tube to store earrings.
• Use a pill case for small items like bobby pins and hair ties.
• Store cotton swabs in an empty mint tin
• Keep your razor blade last longer by using a clip to protect it
• Consider deodorant wipes or a deodorant crystal
• use a miniature travel perfume bottle for hairspray or liquid deodorant

9. Invest In Travel-Size Versions

You already know that you should only pack small sizes of liquid toiletries. The same goes for your other products! See if you can find travel-size versions of your favorite products. You probably want to take all of the stuff that you are using at home, from your favorite nail clippers to your standard razor, but that might not be the best decision. Most travel items come in a smaller, travel-size version. Here are a few examples of our favorite products available on Amazon:

Small Nailfile

Instead of taking your regular size nail file, try a mini nail file that can easily fit in your pocket.

Mini Tweezers

Save space by using a miniature set of tweezers instead of the full-size version.

Travel Toothbrush

We recommend buying a foldable travel toothbrush. It is way more compact than a regular toothbrush and will fit easily in any bag for toiletries.

Foldable Hairbrush

A foldable hairbrush is a perfect solution for those who are always on the go. It’s smaller than regular brushes, so it fits in even tiny bags without taking up too much room!

Travel Razor

Regular-size razors can be inconveniently large, but we have good news for you: Travel razors exist! These razors are designed specifically for traveling, so they’re small and easy to pack.

10. Don’t Overpack!

The most important tip for packing your travel toiletries is not to overpack!It sounds like a no-brainer, but if you’re like most women, you probably have a tendency to pack too much stuff. Try to be mindful of what you actually need and only pack the essentials.

If you’re not sure what counts as an essential, make a list of the products that you use every day. These are the items that you should pack in your toiletry pouch.

Bonus Tip: Reusable Items

Travel light, save money, and even more space in your bag by investing in reusable items. Here are some examples:

Reusable Cotton Swabs

You get up to 1,000 swabs if you use a reusable q tip! We love LastSwap because it’s durable, eco-friendly, and comes with a carrying case made of certified ocean-bound plastic. You can easily clean it with water and a little soap.

Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

Reusable pads not only save space, but they’re better for the environment! We love the reusable cotton rounds by Greenzla because they are made out of organic cotton and natural bamboo, and they are super gentle. They come with a cute cotton drawstring bag which is great for travel.

FAQs about Packing Toiletries

How to pack a toiletry bag for carry-on?

When packing your toiletry bag for carry-on, be sure to follow the 3-1-1 rule. This means that you can bring up to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) of liquid, aerosol, or gel in a single, clear quart-sized bag.

What is the best toiletry bag for travel?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best toiletry bag for travel depends on your individual needs and preferences. The best toiletry carry-on bags are:

Can I bring a toiletry bag on an airplane?

Yes, you can bring toiletries in your travel carry-on as long as you store all of your liquids in containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. These containers must be stored in a clear, quart-sized bag. You are allowed one bag per person.

What should I put in my travel toiletry bag?

A few items are essential for most people, such as toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, deodorant, shampoo, and soap. In addition to that, you may want to pack other items such as a hairbrush, makeup, razor, lotion, and sunscreen.

Conclusion

Packing toiletries in a toiletry bag doesn’t have to be complicated – just start with the basics and build from there. Remember to downsize your liquid toiletries, makeup bag, and other essential items where you can, and try to find travel-size versions.

Get creative with packaging, buy reusable containers, choose multi-purpose products whenever possible, and don’t forget the TSA regulations for your liquids bag in your carry-on luggage.

With these tips in mind, you can plan your next trip and start your vacation countdown.