Magellans Travel Supplies sells them for $4.25/10 packs. Call up www.magellans.com and search for Woolite. Sometimes I see them at Target but they are hard to find.

Bailey:
The first step to packing light is deciding what <i>kind</i> of clothes you'll take.

If you must have well-pressed linens...well, break out the larger bag. On the other hand, if you choose blended fabrics, wrinkle-free, easily washable, you can get along with just 3 or 4 outfits. I took 5 pair of pants on my last trip...only wore 2 (rayon/spandex stretchy pants from Chico's that dried overnight---granted, with help from the towel warmer). Take a little travel clothesline. Once you've decided to take easy-care clothes, you'll realize how few things you really need.

Various tips:
Most suitcases today come with those plastic pouches in the lid and on the sides. If yours has them, take them out and see how much lighter your bag is! Use ziplocks for anything that might leak. Use the space in your shoes to pack undies, socks and other small items.

Lastly, on the night before you leave you'll be struck with an irresistible urge to throw in the &quot;kitchen sink&quot;...just in case....

Don't do it! You'll be ever so much happier if you don't have that heavy suitcase to lug around.

Have fun!

BTW, those Chico's pants aren't the &quot;slinky&quot; ones. They're regular pants with a waist band, zipper. I couldn't believe how quickly they dried.

Always remember: you will conform to your luggage, so leaving stuff behind does not mean you are screwed, just that you won't use it.

I found those little Woolite packets at a Long's drugstore near us. They were *great* and much much easier than a small travel bottle full of Woolite. I'll just use them from now on.

I like Chicos things as well for travel--usually a button down shirt that can double as a lightweight jacket over a tank.

I bring 2 slacks, lightweight dark shirt, a couple of tops, and wash/driable undies from Vic Secret or Travelsmith. For this summer I'm getting some of those tropical weight drawstring pants at a place someone posted here for sunblock fabric clothing, forgot the name. Always, one carry-on, one &quot;personal item&quot; tote bag that the small purse can go into.

I use the shampoo from the hotel to wash clothes...works great! Great souveniers are art prints..a nylon tote works well and can be folded into nothing.

&lt;&lt;BTW, those Chico's pants aren't the &quot;slinky&quot; ones. They're regular pants with a waist band, zipper. I couldn't believe how quickly they dried.&gt;&gt;

I had the same experience with the Chico's cotton/rayon/spandex blend pants, both the long with zipper as described above and some drawstring waist capris. Both dried overnight with no wrinkles. They're lighter weight than the Travelers &quot;slinky's&quot; too.

I'd like to put in a good word for wrinkle free 100% cotton. I don't know how it is done but I have shirts from 4 different companies and they work out great. While traveling you can wash in sink and let it dry on hanger overnight and you are ready to go! I wear them all the time as I HATE to iron! lynda

ttt

A few tips on washing. Some towns have drop off &quot;wash, dry, and fold&quot; laundramats. They're great if you and your DH have a fair amount to do.

Otherwise, for day to day stuff...a few tips:

Cottons can take a while to dry, depending on the weather, so make sure they are lightweight. Jeans take forever, and take up room in your suitcase. Khakis are better, and can be dressed up or down.

Synthetics, such as nylon (which you'll find in a lot of running/work-out gear and undergarments) dry fastest--within a few hours. Oh, if any place you stay in has a hair dryer, it'll do in a pinch.

Lastly, dark clothes show less dirt!

Fabric is everything! Warm-weather trips are easy, at least for women, because we have so many lightweight choices in rayons, cotton/lycra/polyester blends and the like. Roll, don't fold, and line up the rolled items inside one of those thin plastic bags that you get with your dry cleaning. This lets the little rolls &quot;slide&quot; against your bag and makes for fewer packing wrinkles. Travelsmith sells wonderful, 100% cotton wrinkle-and -stain-resistant shirts. Eagle Outfitters makes a lightweight shirt folding system that packs very flat and and keeps shirts looking great. Scarves are the best travel accessory - very light and lots of ways to change an outfit. Shoes weigh a lot and take up a lot of space. I can usually get away with one pair of walking shoes and some cute, versatile low-heeled sandals with rubber soles. Higher heels and smooth leather soles are suicide shoes in Europe. Think &quot;wet cobblestones&quot;! I always carry on -- had a bad experience once with a lost bag and ended up waiting in Frankfurt for 2 days while the airline tried to locate it. I had one change of undies and a clean shirt! Finally I gave up and spent a few hours shopping, bought the bare necessities (no pun intended), and went on with my trip. From this experience I learned that I could travel much lighter and have been doing so ever since. I would much rather rinse out a few things after a lovely day of sightseeing than spend valuable travel time waiting for missing luggage.

JeanneB...resist the urge to throw in the &quot;kitchen sink&quot; LOL..guilty as charged!! Such good advice. Make your plan and stick to it!

bookmarking

I am sure I will be labeled a heretic, but one way to make life easier is don't shop. Having downsized twice and had to clear 3 estates I am an expert in dispossessing, and it is a very sad and frustrating process. My current theory is it is better not to buy it in the first place! Lots of you gave good advice that less is more when you travel. I am here to say apply this to every phase of your life. Really, what happens to all those trinkets that you buy as gifts? How many times have you received trinkets like that only to wish you hadn't? You have no real need for them, but keep them out of sentiment. Think of all the time it took to buy them, and lug them around? My advice, concentrate on taking really good pictures! If you feel a need to give someone a gift, take your best photo and have it blown up to 8x10, mat it and frame it. Meanwhile take the money you didn't spend on junk and put it towards your next trip.

Dear Hotzim: You are SO right. Why buy souvenirs when you can order the same thing over the Internet when you get home, if you really want it? I love the cork-backed placemats from England, but didn't want to lug them home. I ordered them when I returned home.

Hi Hotzim, I agree with you a 100%. After downsizing about 5 years ago I was almost sick with guilt with all the items I got rid of. Things I had purchased, gifts etc.

But the guilt has faded away and I so enjoy what I do have now without trying to figure out where to put items I really didn't need.

I do very little shopping while travelling. And actually do very little shopping at home except for when I really need something (like replacing the vegtable peeler that must have accidently been thrown in the garbage). Less is more! Simple is good, LOL!

And I don't think anyone has ever wished they had more stuff to lug around while on vacation.

hotzim, I absolutely agree about the value of cutting the clutter.

Choosing consumables for gifts &amp; souveniers, like local specialty foods, chocolates or coffee, stationary or cards, cigarette lighters, pens, works nicely.

Oh, I feel packing light is really the only way to go. I generally only pack a few outfits--a pair of khaki type pants, one pair of jeans, and a pair of gaucho pants (or something like that that's comfy for walking lots and looks good dressed up) plus a handful of shirts (whatever will fit in 1 1/2 packing cubes). I also have a small spray bottle I fill with febreeze so I can wear my pants/shirts a few times before washing them if I feel like it. I only bring one extra pair of shoes (all black New Balances crosstrainers) and wear a black leather cushioned shoe that can be worn with or without socks. My clothes are usually all very basic, typically blue and black, but I have bright colorful jewelry and a scarf belt for around the waist or neck to jazz things up.

I put all toiletries (lots of mini bottles) in a Jansport foldup: http://www.rei.com/product/47599440....SHP_TRAVEL_TOC

This is my pack (can be carried on a plane) and has a detachable daypack:
http://www.rei.com/product/47991312.htm
(I absolutely ADORE it)

This year I'll be going to Switzerland where it's a bit cooler, so I'm planning on adding in a pair of adidas running fleece pants and using a compressor bag (just for them).

I usually have room left in my bag for souvenirs or I mail them home :-). I only bring one travel book, no pleasure books...

I like the idea of sending home 'dirty laundry' half way through a long trip to make room for new purchases. Does anyone know if it is expensive to mail an average-size package of clothes or souvenirs from Italy or Greece to Canada or the US?

Hi mact, a few years ago I mailed a large box (about 30&quot;X20&quot;X20&quot;) from Italy, via the PostOffice. I sent it by land, not by air. It took a couple of months to arrive at my house. It was all clothes (long story, don't ask, LOL). It cost me about $70.00US.
I am sure the average person sending home clothes would not begin to have as much as I had to send home.

Pack one or two of the super absorbent fast dry travel towels (cheap car clothes work too) to help wring clothes dry after being washed in the sink or shower. I pack baggies of laundry soap--its easily proved to be soap and nothing more harmful by customs agents and I've never had a problem--and wash underwear and socks ever night.

Chicos Travellers line of clothes also wash and dry quickly as do thin cotton tops or ones with a bit of lycra (also helps tops to keep shape after handwashing).

In summer, not including what I wear when I leave, I usually take 2 pairs of underwear, 2 pairs of socks, 1 pair of pants or skirt, 1 pair of shoes, 2 nice cotton-blend tshirts , 1 dressier top, 2 camisoles for layering/sleeping in, nylon shorts to sleep in, and a light sweater and a rain jacket. Less than 3 minutes of laundry every other day gets the job done without paying for a laundry service (I don't pack enough for even half a load anyway).

Since you addressed &quot;Summer&quot;, let me make a Winter note for those who may come across this thread later.

Though winter clothes are heavier, you can still plan on their drying overnight. Remember: in winter you'll have radiators and towel warmers to speed the process along.

LoveItaly, I remember that story, it's great. I think you should tell it again for those who missed it. Only if you want to, of course.

Ashields, thanks for the suggestion about the super absorbent towel. That's going on my packing list.

Hi, I just love Downey's Wrinkle release--use a small spray bottle--takes out odors and wrinkles.

Mix and match clothes
Two pairs of shoes
travel size everything

I use my shampoo as detergent if I need to wash anything. I used to bring shout wipes with me (got pooped on by a Parisian pigeon one trip and that darn shirt would NOT come clean with shampoo) but last trip I spotted the Tide to Go instant stain remover--it's a pen and freakin' brilliant. I carry it in my purse everyday now.

Definitely mail stuff back home. It is so worth the trip to the Post Office and when you get home you keep getting presents from your vacation!

I must admit that I ignored all these rules on my March trip to Paris. The trip was a present to myself for my 30th birthday and I figured after saving for a year and a half I was going in style. Stupid, stupid Jenny! I was miserable lugging that crap around. Never, ever again. I will shop for clothes if I get tired of what I brought along before I ever pack that much again. I should have put that in my trip report as I think it was quite possibly the most valuable thing I learned on that trip. (Aside from finally mastering the Subjonctif.)

Nycjenny - what a great lesson you learned - I'm trying to learn it for my upcoming trip. I am absolutely going to take only a 21&quot; roller and a flight bag, but do you have any suggestions how to convince my 20-y-o daughter that she should do the same?

Are you going to a big city? If so I'd bribe her with some cash to buy some new clothes while there! Or tell her that if she can pay for the cabs to and from airports, train stations, hotels, etc she can bring as many suitcases as she wants. The threat of having to spend her own money usually works on my younger sister in any situation!

Maire- I say let your daughter pack whatever she likes, just let her know she will be carrying it herself. Maybe have her do ye ole test of packing her bags then walking around the block a few times at home with everything (age old pre-trip advise).

Believe me, that's the best cure for overpacking. I notice the women who are self-proclaimed overpackers here, freely admit they have a husband to tote and fetch for them -LOL.

Good idea, Suze. I'll make her do that!

Ooooh, good idea, Jenny! Bribery to get new clothes in ITALY ought to do the trick!!