Liquids and gels

I would leave most of it empty for going through TSA and either fill it after security or I will organize things at my first stop. All of my shower supplies are now solids. I use soap and shampoo bars. The only liquid usually carry is lotion.

Thanks, Miriam.
That sounds reasonable. I have not tried solid shampoo. Thanks for that tip.

1. I have TSA precheck, don't have to take liquids out. probably should have them in my quart bag, but never been hassled.
2. As a caution, I might put the liquids in a bag, then on my first night, simply transfer them to my bathroom bag (which has other non-liquid stuff), the empty ziploc does not add to weight, or toss it.
3. Many European airports are rescinding their liquids policies, so no problem there, but if you arrive in the US, then they may still do the 311.

The liquids limit dates from 2006, and that video may be older than that. Some of his shows are older than 20 years now, even from his current show Rick Steves Europe (he also had a show back in the 1990s with a different name but those are rarely if ever seen). He also correctly notes in his travel advice that anything you may reasonably need can be purchased in Europe so you can get additional toiletries on arrival.

I put liquids in the quart sized bag for the flight, then organize them into my hanging toiletries kit on arrival. I still pack the liquids in the quart bag so that they can be easily found if there’s an issue at security.

I usually carry my liquids in a quart ziploc bag INSIDE my light hanging toiletry bag. Still has room inside it for dry items. My toiletry bag goes in backpack at the top/front and easily accessible. I wear contact lenses and need to carry a small solution bottle. I also have TSA pre-check and never had to remove my ziploc from inside toiletry.

However, last year while connecting at CDG in Paris, they made me (and everyone else) take out clear bag and put in bins. But it was easy to just grab toiletry, which I placed on bin with ziploc next to it. Hope this helps.
Also, CDG handled out ziploc bags that were slightly different than my ziploc, I grabbed a few to go and saved for the return flight.

I do as Barbara G. I put my liquid toiletry items in a large clear plastic bag and have it either in my suitcase or my personal item bag. I pull it out before I go through security. Once through security It goes into my carry-on suitcase.

For my upcoming 20 day trip, I will take a shampoo/conditioner bar and detergent sheets to eliminate a couple of liquid items. I've tried out both and am happy with them, so it's bit less to wrangle for secuirty.

At Heathrow in May, they pulled out my liquids bag and then put my shampoo and conditioner thru an analyzer. My carryon was a mess from them searching thru it, I hate to think of what it would have been if my liquids were not confined to a plastic bag. I too, recommend you stock your toiletry bag after all airport security checks.

Hi Sharon,

I place my liquids in a quart Ziploc and have it in the front zipper pocket of my backpack. After I have finished going through the last security stop before my final flight I place it inside my toiletry kit.

FYI - I have a hanging toiletry kit, along with a couple of other types. The hanging one is the nicest for being completely organized (mine’s an LLBean) throughout the trip while the much lighter ones are more of a main zipper one compartment design.

Thanks! I also have LL Bean's hanging toiletries bag, which I love and have missed using. I think I will start to take it along.

Sharon:
Sniff the solid shampoo bars before you buy.
I bought a Clairol one, I believe it was, and to me it had an awful smell while washing my hair.
I also couldn’t get it to lather in Italy and ended up buying liquid shampoo there.
I’m sure you'll find one to suit you!
Lots of solid sunscreens out there too , for travel.

I have solid bars of shampoo and conditioner. I like the shampoo a lot. It suds up well, makes my hair feel clean and smell nice, but the conditioner felt too harsh and I rarely like hotel conditioner, so for now I still carry liquid conditioner. I have a super light weight toiletry bag that hangs. I put my makeup in it, but keep my soap, shampoo and conditioner separate in a clear mesh bag.

Solid shampoo didn't work for my hair. I usually bring conditioner only if I know I will have shampoo at hotels.
My toiletry bag is fantastic but out of stock, I've had it for years and still going strong. Super light, practical and fit all my needs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019Z23NLG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_48

Thank you everyone who gave me their helpful hints! One thing I'm really going to have to check out is the solid shampoo.

Joy’s and Margie’s experiences are why I continue to separate my liquids. I usually compile them the first night (or next morning, 😉😆)

Sharon, give the bar shampoos at least a week’s trial to see how your hair does. I have short, dry hair and it has never liked any shampoo bar I’ve tried! I’ve done expensive, I’ve done midrange, I’ve done artisinal handmade by the light of the wolf moon 🤣 and none have worked.

I only travel with carry on luggage so have several solid toiletry recommendations. For shampoo I love Lush. I use the one called "Honey I washed my Hair". It doesn't strip the oils of your hair but suds up and cleanses well. Plus, it has a pleasant scent. For hair conditioner, I use a brand called Camamu out of Portland, OR (camamusoap.com). I use the Silky Smooth Hair Conditioner. Finally, for lotion, I use a lotion bar from Moon Valley Organics (moonvalleyorganics.com)

RE: bar shampoo, I concur with Pam that you need to try it out for at least a week at home before you commit to it. I have sensitive skin and it took several tries to find one that worked for me. I slice off a square for travel along with a slice of bar soap, kept in a Matador soap keeper. I also recommend using contact lens cases with screw on tops (available at most dollar stores) to hold small amounts of liquids/creams/etc. I have about 8 of them in my kit with things like neosporin, A&D cream, cortisone. I have yet to use up any of them on a trip.

Also, if you want to take the liquid versions of things, spend time now figuring out how much you use on average at home. For example, fill a 1 ounce bottle with shampoo and see how long it takes you to go through it. You will may be surprised how far a small amount will last.

Perhaps for a person with short-messy-style hair and no skin issues it's no big deal to use solids or pop into a European chemist's and use as-found brands/formulations, but for others, straying from certain specific tried-and-true products could potentially ruin a trip. I identify those specific products and put them in 100ml (or less if adequate) generic plastic bottles (I find no need for those expensive silicone ones) then include them in the 311 cello bag. That then fits perfectly into the centre of my RS classic (small) toiletries case once I pass aeroport security. I find it safer than leaving the 311 bag in an outer pocket where it can be squashed in the overhead.

Yep, love the contact lenses cases. I also use them, especially for short trips.

We just traveled to Salzburg and returned from Geneva. We only had carry ons and had several ziploc bags with gels and liquids inside. We also have pre-check. Twice our bags were pulled aside and searched. Once, the ziploc contents were reorganized and placed in smaller ziplocs by security. None of the contents were denied, though, and we continued on our way.

I had a quart bag of liquids stored in the outer pocket of my Rick Steves' roller bag. It's convenient to pull it out if necessary. But just got TSA global entry which comes with Pre-check so it's not an issue anymore.