TRYING to pack for a holiday is never an easy task, but it’s even worse when you’re just relying on hand luggage.
Not only do you have to squeeze in multiple outfits and shoes, you also have the issue of finding space for liquids.
We all know fitting your toiletries in carry-on luggage is a nightmare[/caption]
This summer set from Primark will help you squeeze more in[/caption]
Liquids are particularly difficult as you are only able to bring 1 litre of it with you in hand luggage.
And to make it even harder, each liquid has to be in packages that are under 100ml, even if the product is only half full.
Most airports also ask you to place the liquids into a small plastic bag, and many limit one bag per flyer.
That can make it massively difficult for us to fit our favourite perfume, bodycare, skincare and make-up into the tiny plastic bags.
Too many times have we been caught out by the liquid limitations and had to throw away a deodorant or toothpaste before even making it through security.
But there’s an easy solution to prevent you from having to throw your toiletries away.
You can, of course, use a bar of soap instead of shower gel, and you can even swap liquid shampoo for a shampoo bar as well.
This will not only save you money from buying the mini toiletries, but gives you more space for your liquid limit too.
But for those pesky toiletries like foundation or face wash, there’s an even cheaper option available thanks to Primark.
The budget retailer is selling a five-piece travel bottle set for just £1.
The pack comes with a spray bottle for heat protection spray, a dispenser bottle for body lotion, two squeeze bottles for shower gel and hair products and a small plastic tub.
This means you can decant your larger must-have products into smaller packaging so you don’t have to miss them on your travels.
The set also comes with stickers so you can label each product as well as a pourer to make sure moving your liquid products doesn’t get messy.
It’s the perfect way to store products in your carry-on without them taking up lots of space.
Holiday packing tips
Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday.
1. Write a list
Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase.
Or for complete ease, try Google’s AI app – Gemini – which will create a list for you and help you not over pack.
2. Involve your kids
Jemma said: “My girls are getting older, they’re 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say ‘this is what you need’ and they follow the list.
“And then I give them a rucksack each – and say to them ‘you can have whatever you want in there as long as it’s not liquid’, and they can take that on the plane. And that’s their ‘home away from home’ items.”
3. Try a hack or two
She said: “I think they all work, but for different reasons – and you’ve just got to pick the right one for your trip.
“Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you’re trying to get a lot of items into your case, it’s a space saver.
“Packing cubes are great – for example, I’m going on holiday with my three kids and we’re all using the same suitcase for our clothes.
“These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked.
“I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we’ve arrived.”
4. Decant beauty products
Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets – which are much lighter and smaller.
Or, if you’ll be popping to the shops when you’re abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive.
5. Get organised before you come home
Jemma said: “When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes.
“Also pack it in some form of order – so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person.
“Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don’t leave it.”
More Travel Buys
It’s not the only travel must-have Primark shoppers are going wild for.
Primark’s underseat bag has racked up a legion of fans, and measures 40x20x25cm, when its wheels are removed, meaning it’s fully compliant with Ryanair’s underseat baggage dimensions (40x20x25cm)
TikTok user Pia Blossom decided to put it to the test and see how much the popular tiny bag can hold – while being within the regulations.
It’s also ideal for EasyJet customers, with their under-seat cabin bag’s maximum dimensions being 45x36x20cm, including handles and wheels.
She said: “I am a chronic overpacker that refuses to pay for luggage, so this is ideal.
“Shall we see how much we can fit in it?
Getting to work, Pia managed to add a “couple of dresses, a couple of jackets, cardigan, underwear, spare bra and [two pairs of] summery shoes.”
She also added a jacket and pyjamas and was thrilled to see it all fit in easily to the £25 cabin bag.
“This is closing much easier than I thought it would, which feels like a challenge to put more in,” she joked.
