This one simple trick can save you a lot of time and effort when you open your luggage in your hotel and it only takes a matter of minutes to complete
Anyone packing miniature toiletries into their hand luggage have been told to perform one handy trick before zipping up their suitcase.
A group of Travel Insider writers for Qantas have divulged their best space-saving hacks for packing hand luggage. And this tip not only saves space but a potentially messy eruption.
“Squeeze air out of toiletries” urges one travel writer for passengers attempting to pack sunscreen and other lotions and liquids in their hand luggage. The hack even comes with a guarantee that “you’ll thank yourself later”.
“Is there anything worse than getting to your hotel only to find that half–empty tube of sunscreen has erupted in your bag?” the expert writes. “Squeeze any air out of your toiletries bottles before you travel to create a vacuum effect that sucks lids and caps on tight.”
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It only takes an extra minute while packing can save you from losing your costly creams or having to replace them on arrival at your destination. It can also protect your clothes or other items in your hand baggage from being ruined.
That said, another travel expert provides another great idea for those worried about travelling with their favourite products. “I save up all my skincare samples (online store Adore Beauty and Aesop are generous with theirs) so I have a full suite of products for any trip – it saves so much space and weight.”
In addition to being space and weight friendly, these samples will also help you stay under the 100mL limit at UK airports. The limit is still in place despite the installation of new state-of-the-art scanners in a number of UK airports.
The Department of Transport previously announced a “major shake-up of airport security rules” to better screen liquids and electrical items such as laptops. The security update was eagerly awaited by travellers as it would finally end the 100ml limit on liquids, aerosols and gels (LAG) for hand luggage.
The 100ml limit was initially implemented in 2006 after a foiled terror plot but was only ever meant to be a temporary measure. But slow progress to modernise security technology has seen the measure extended.
The driving force behind the more relaxed security update was the availability of new state-of-the-art security scanners that would be better equipped for passenger screening. The Computed Tomography (CT) scanners—the same technology used for medical scanners—are capable of creating 3D images of luggage to better detect potential threats.
The superiority of these scanners are one way that airports are striving to modernise in order to reduce passenger queue times. Initially, there was a June 2024 deadline for UK airports to integrate the new security measure but it was later extended to June 2025.
Because of the continued delay, all liquid containers must be kept in a single clear, resealable plastic bag. The bag should not exceed dimensions of 20cm x 20cm and must have a maximum capacity of one litre.
Only certain liquids, such as essential medications, liquids for specific dietary needs, and baby food or milk, are exempt from the 100ml limit.