I just can't leave behind those little bottles of shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, etc. I travel fully stocked, but end up bringing them home. Haven't bought real store soap in ten years. LOL

The best was in a renovated hotel in Witchita, Kansas. They had not only the regular amenities, but gronola bars and a quarter to buy a soda from their vintage gift shop in the lobby!

What has been your experinces?

Great question! Yes, I take them all home. Most of them I donate to a homeless shelter our church supports. But some of the more unique items I keep as another sweet reminder of special times our family has spent together.

Yep, I save those and also the personalized gift-bags from souvenir & gift shoppes! DH hates it, but oh well!

The shampoo is especially nice to take in the RV. If you notice, hotel shampoo rinses out of your hair faster that the brands you use at home. It saves a lot of water when camping. They are also great if one of us has to go away overnight. Much nicer than packing a large one of everything.

Oh yes I take them (unless they are really tiny) and like someone above I haven't bought soap or shampoo in like 15 years or more.

My company asks that business travelers bring in these items; they are donated to our local homeless shelter, which is very grateful...

I never knew shelters and the like would be interested, but what a great idea. Yes, I take the home but can't say I haven't had to buy shampoo in so many years. I find they're handy when I just couldn't get to the store and need a day or two's supply.

I can't seem to NOT take them home! I find the shampoo's great for short little trips. Honestly, though, we rarely use the soaps; they just sit there. I like the ideas of giving them to shelters, though!

Usually I give it to a local domestic violence shelter. I keep a few of the shampoo, toothpaste, lotion in my travel bag, in case I have to leave town in an emergency; in my desk at work; and in a cabinet in my guest bathroom. I live near a popular tourist area, so I have lots of visits from my nephews and their girlfriends at Spring Break and in the summer.

Showercaps! 100s of the Little darlings!!

We take them, and all the rest of the small complementary toiletries. We would accumulate them and donate them to the Spring, a home for battered women in the Tampa area.

Yes, I take everything that is free, shower caps, lotions, etc.
I donate most to an abused women's shelter but always keep a small supply for visits to 3rd world countries.
I always keep 3-4 small soaps in my purse. Their gas stations rarely have soap; I open a new small bar, use it and leave it for the next person.
Next stop--same thing.

Yes. The sewing kits are my favorites. The most I ever sew is a button so they really are nice. I always carry one set with me in case. Our local homeless shelter, Shepherd of the Streets is always in need of personal care items, these are especially nice for "overnight" bags.

The soap and shampoo is also great for camping trips. If the soap gets dirty, throw it out!

I haven't bought soap since the 1980's.

Boy I wish I had heard of the Giving to Charity before. I usually collect them but have started to give them to little nieces who love the minature bottles and using them for trips to shore, sleepovers, etc....

This has nothing to do with little soaps/shampoos, etc.
Except this other idea grew out of the soap/shampoo one.
You know those pacets of mustard and soy sauce from chinese restuarants?
Don't throw them away.
Save them and donate to a food shelf.
Someone will definately use them!

My husband strips a hotel bathroom of all little bottles/soaps/etc incredibly quickly. One time I called Housekeeping to complain that we had no soap (we had been in the room 5 minutes - as I'm on the phone Richard is making desperate hand signals at me attempting to communicate that we had them - but they were already packed away). I had to bargain with him for one bar of soap!

Usually we give them to our goddaughter.....but like other posters I had never thought of giving them to shelters. Thanks!

It must be a male thing. My husband insists on taking all the soap, etc.
He uses the shampoo but the soap is not really that usefull to us. A shelter is a good place to donate it.

I too take all the little toiletries; I keep some for trips; I put some in baskets and leave in the guest bathroom; I also give the rest to whomever needs them - homeless shelters, battered women shelters, disaster victims, etc.

If you watched "the 1900's House" on PBS, the mom said what she missed most were cleaning products; that made me stop and think how 'clean' can be so important to self-esteem, how I take it for granted, and others can't.

Off the subject, but ditto for all those lipsticks, lotions, etc. that come free with cosmetic purchases. I've donated them to battered women's shelters.

Oh, yeah. At one time I thought I was the only one. Then during a meeting at an out-of-town conference, the regional VP flipped open his briefcase to get out his notes and exposed all the toiletries he had collected from his room the night before. At least I put mine in my luggage....