Failsafe methods for packing liquids - any tips?
 

Preparing for upcoming first non-liquid flights. Had developed my own failsafe system of packing "essential" :) liquid items, such as perfume, but it involved wrapping things in many layers of very absorbent socks, stuffing them into shoes, putting such items in my carry-on and not letting anybody else lay their paws on the bag.

Now, however, that will not be an option. Although there are a number of things that I can just buy when I arrive, there are some that I just have to take with me, so into the checked bag they go. :(

Anybody have recommendations for packing those potentially leaky items? A specific brand of zippered baggies that you swear by? A special tiny, padded hard-sided case to pack in the middle of the bag for carrying a perfume bottle (if no such thing exists, someone needs to patent this)? How about powdered perfume that you can reconstitute upon arrival?

ttt for cantstayhome

I prefer zipper bags that actually have a zipper -- the ones that only squish together don't work as well, in my experience. Maybe even go for the heavier duty freezer-type bags to avoid punctures.

Good luck!

I use "Easy Zipper" "Zip-loc" bags ( the large/freezer size). I double-bag everything & pack each liquid separately: body lotion, liquid deodorant, shampoo & conditioner. Then I pack them in the outside compartments of my check-in luggage. It's a pain but you want to make sure that if the liquid "explodes" during the flight & opens it will not get all over your clothes. A few weeks ago when I was travelling, I did all of this compulsive stuff w/ the "double Zipper Bags" & my body lotion popped open anyway(sometimes I tape the cap but not that time)...but the mess was contained! I try to pack containers that have just enough for the trip. Then I don't have to bring them back home.

Where are you headed, cantstayhome? Bermuda, by any chance? I hope it is somewhere wonderful.
I laughed at your description of the old method, very similar to my own. My new rule is buy everything when I get there if it isn't an amenity of the hotel. For scent, I take a scented body cream instead of perfume and it works just fine. Wow's system is pretty impressive.

Do you really need the perfume?

If yes, wrap in something absorbant, wrap in bubble wrap, place in a plastic container (like a kid's pencil box), rubber-band the box shut, hope for the best.

cmcfong....it's downright compulsive! But I prefer your "impressive" description! :)

If you're taking any previously opened items, remember to squeeze some of the air out of the containers before packing, so as to allow the air to expand at higher altitudes (baggage compartments are pressurized to 8,000 feet, I believe). For most unopened items, the amount of air is small enough to not be an issue.

Hi cantstayhome,

Just got back from my AZ trip (late last night/early this morning) and it's really not that bad. I packed all my liquids in my checked in luggage. Just make sure to double bag things and make sure that the zipped the opening of the inner bag is situated at the bottom of the outer bag. We bought some vodka for presents and those I bubble wrapped and taped then double bags it and all of these items are squeezed into and surrounded by clothing to reduce impact. I also would wrap a towel around it when possible so as to soak the liquid if it manages to escape the bubble wrap, double bags, etc.

All arrived safely. Good luck to you!

Hi cantstayhome, at my stepdaughter's suggestion I purchased a beige colored strong material type lunch container at Target. The top has zippers on 3 sides. I buy small bottles of what I use. I put them in a freezer zipper bag and put the bags in the lunch container. The container cost about $12.00. I put the container in my check-in luggage. I have done this the last several trips. If I run out of anything I just buy another small replacement. So far it has worked perfect.

All great suggestions. Like the taping the top of things - hadn't thought of that. Also like the plastic pencil box - I've got plenty of those lying around!

And, yes, I do need the perfume. Especially after an overnight flight. :)

wow - compulsive/obsessive works for me

Don't know about putting things in the outside pocket, though. Seems more likely that they'll get squished and therefore more likely to rupture. Think wrapping things, putting inside a pencil box, wrapping the pencil box in a towel, double zipper bagging, and placing in the middle of my packed items so that the box is surrounded and less subjected to outside pressure will be my m.o. on the next trip - a trial run! I'm serious about that, too, no joking!

cmcfong - scented lotion - good idea. after a slow couple of months with only car travel, off to AZ for a conference next month, then London in November to visit a friend. Wish it were Bermuda, but I have not yet planned a spring getaway, so come April that may be where we're headed.... I do still hope to do Bermuda for Christmas some year, but this is not the year. Next year perhaps.... Spring will be a group trip (including mom), so I may not be totally in control of selecting the destination. Fortunately, mom likes Bermuda, too :)

Glad Bermuda is still on your list, but Arizona sounds great for now. Enjoy the trip!

Cantstayhome, where are you staying in London and will you be going to the theatre? I will have to keep an eye out for your trip report on one of my favorite destinations. Have fun!

cmc - I'm not a big trip reporter - I always feel like everything I would have to say has already been said, but if we do anything really fun, I'll try to post.

We're staying with a friend - not sure exactly where his flat is, but a few blocks from Harrods, I'm told (my hubby's buddy from college). No theatre plans - just hanging out, eating out, going out (he's a big club-goer), assuming I can find a sitter there. Need to get calling on my network.

Never been to AZ, so looking forward to it. I have absolutely no control where the conference is held (I go every year), so it's fun to go to places I have not been.

http://www.zymetrical.com/product.as...FRMzGAodiw-B9Q :">

hi cantstayhome,
i have a Fail Safe method. at {wal-mart} you can buy a seal-a-meal for under $30. then anything you want can be sealed or vacuumed sealed. Nothing Leaks Out Ever!! great for freezing extra spaghetti sauce or meats purchased in larger quantity as well as travel use.

bear900-appreciated, but not sure it will pass security :)

virginia - is this a system kind of thing, or like those bags where you use a vacuum to suck all the air out?

Cantstayhome: The outside compartments on my "wheelie" are padded. Have never had a rupture problem! Sometimes I add a "cushioned" sock for extra padding....when my OCD is really bad! :)

I am going to check out Virginia's WalMart "Seal" suggestion! Good one!

What about pressured cans of stuff -- like shave cream, hair mousse etc? Any safety ideas on those?

Debi

Oh c'mon stayathomeorelse,

You Can DO it....! >:D<

I always wondered about pressured mousse-stuff but have never had a problem.

Perfume - any chance you could get sample size or whatever you wear - I had a bottle of perfume rupture in luggage years ago and despite being double zip-lock bagged, the stench was everywhere (and if it is a whole bottle it is not fragrance but stench). The odor of that specific scent to this day makes me gag.

Had a new thought.

gail - went off to get some samples on Tuesday. They don't give you a little tiny bottle anymore! Just a little tiny plastic bubble that you can't reseal. And they didn't have one of my usual favorites. Did get some good lotion samples though!

Anyway, did come up with another idea about transporting perfume. Can't believe I hadn't thought of this before, but I don't usually buy my own perfume. Get a metal or hard plastic atomizer rather than a glass bottle. Should be much less likely to break.

I simply put small bottles (sample size or hotel shampoo bottles that I refill with various lotions and potions) into normal ziplock baggies, snack or sandwich size, then drop them into a normal pouch type cosmetics case and lay it flat in my suitcase. For perfume I make up one small sample size (those little glass viles/tubes) which is enough for a several week trip, and pop it into its own snack size baggie. Never had a problem.

Do you folks really think that aerosol cans of shaving cream and mousse would explode? I usually bring these items in my carryon, but the world has changed. As for perfume, lotions etc, I might forget these things altogether. Hotel rooms frequently have them as freebies or they can be bought.

I save the plastic zip bags pillowcases/sheets come in and put my cosmetics, liquids, etc in there and putit in the middle of my suitcase wrapped in my robe or sweatshirt or something like that to cushion it, so far no leaks -

"Get a metal or hard plastic atomizer rather than a glass bottle."

I actually found some small metal spray bottles at our local Dollar store. I just ppured some perfume in there. I always put some plastic (Saran) wrap over the top of all lequids and then screw on the lids. Then they go in a zip lock bag.

I travel with my pillow in the outside zipper part of my suitcase. Wrapping all those things as others have suggested; then putting them in that compartment with pillow on outside makes them pretty secure.

Good idea, schmerl! Saran wrap, then cap, then ziploc! Do you tape the cap also? I am laughing my head off here. I cannot believe that I do all of this...but I do.
pollyvw, you must have a really small pillow or a really large suitcase! :)

Just got back from Alaska and had no problems. I used 2 freezer zip lock bags for my liquids and also toothpaste, shave cream etc. I had some small plastic bottles which I put plastic wrap over the opening and then put on the top and then into the zip lock bags.We put them in the middle of the suitcase to have some padding.Had no problems at all.
I also packed my clothes in the large zip lock bags as I don't like anyone pawing thru my clothes. That way the clothes were protected too.

I tape lids shut on containers and then put them in zip lock bags.

Seems like saran wrap under the cap might mess up the seal? I always use refilled hotel shampoo type bottles and have never had a leak.

Most perfume comes packaged in a cardboard box. Don't throw it away - then when you are travelling, put the bottle back into the box and go. The box is meant to protect the bottle from breakage during transport, so you can't ask for much better than that. And, it doesn't cost anything.

I've done this for years now and I haven't had any break - even when I've checked it.

I carry LOADS of liquids when I travel.
There is a specific brand of flavored water I like and I carry a few bottles and then I take 2 or 3 qrange sodas PLUS all the typical liquids.
Yes, yes, yes... I could possibly buy similar stuff upon my arrival BUT I am just so busy when I travel on business that I find I want my water and orange soda when there is no time, or no place to stop. It just works for me.
So, I have produce bags. The kind that are on a roll in the produce department. EVERYTHING gets placed in a bag and tied off in a single knot. Takes just a few minutes. I always take a 6 or so bags in the exterior compartment of my suitcase that would typically go unused.
Ikea bags are PERFECT for my clothes.
I always place my clothes in an Ikea bag, smoosh all the air out, twist the top and lay it in the suitcase. I stick a dryer sheet in the bag and my clothes smell really good while I travel and then leave the sheet in the case during storage upon my return.
All my shoes go into produce bags, individually.
I have had a couple of leaks in my million miles of travel but it has always stayed contained within those REALLY cheap bags that I toss as I go.

TXTravel, great idea on the disposable produce bags. Did you have your grocer order a roll for you?

A local grocer sold me a roll of 500 bags (I think) for 5.00!
I sinply asked Ikea if I could take a few extra bags and they said sure!
I have been doing this for 3 years and have a hundred or so bags left on that roll. I just kinda spin the bag, make a loop and tie a really tight knot. It'll hold liquid unless something rips the bag open, no problem.

There is so little chance of a perfume bottle breaking. I don't think I could do it by dropping it on concrete. Think about it. Just put it in a baggie of your choice for leaking

csh- yes a seal-a-meal or food saver vacuum sealer. bags come in 2 sizes. machine should run $45-$100. has 2 functions: just seals the bag or sucks out air and seals the bags. wonderful for food storage as well as travel as air is the enemy of all food.

Re: Bags on rolls

I buy them for my 'non-critical' refrigerator storage and use them for multiple purposes around the house including packing.

I'm sure you can get them from various places (do a web search 'plastic bags on rolls') but I buy from http://www.garb-o-liner.com/

On America's Test Kitchen show today on PBS, they recommended the Glad freezer weight bags with the locking top (not the slide, the other kind of zipper). They tested the seals on all the major bags, and this was the only one that didn't break open with dropped onto the floor. The slide tops were all failures.