Why I Never Travel With Bottles Anymore

I don't know about you, but packing for a trip always starts off with good intentions.

I'll lay everything out neatly on the bed, convince myself I'll travel light this time, and then somehow end up staring at a pile of clothes that's twice the size of the suitcase. It never seems to matter if I'm heading away for two nights or two weeks – I still seem to bring more than I need.

One thing that has changed though is the bathroom bag.

I honestly can't remember the last time I packed a bottle of shampoo.

When I first started making shampoo bars, travel wasn't even on my mind. I wanted to make something that genuinely worked. Something that left your hair feeling clean, soft and healthy without needing a plastic bottle.

The fact that they became brilliant travel companions was almost an accident.

Now, whether I'm heading to a horse show for the weekend, visiting family or flying somewhere sunny, my shampoo, conditioner and body wash bars are the first things into the bag.

No More Leaks

If you've travelled with liquid toiletries, you've probably had it happen.

You open your suitcase after a flight and discover your shampoo has leaked through half your clothes.

Maybe the lid wasn't quite closed. Maybe the pressure during the flight forced it open. Either way, it's not a pleasant surprise.

Solid bars simply don't do that.

There's nothing to spill, nothing to explode, and nothing to clean up afterwards.

It sounds like a small thing, but once you've travelled without worrying about leaks, it's surprisingly difficult to go back.

Flying Becomes Much Easier

Anyone who's flown in the last few years knows the routine.

Tiny bottles.

Clear plastic bags.

Trying to remember whether your favourite conditioner is 100ml or 150ml.

Decanting products into travel bottles that never quite work properly.

It's all a bit of a nuisance.

Solid bars don't count as liquids, so they don't need to go into that little plastic bag at airport security. You simply pack them and carry on.

It takes one small hassle out of travelling, and I think we're all in favour of that.

They Last Far Longer Than You'd Expect

One of the biggest surprises for people trying bars for the first time is how long they last.

Because they're concentrated, you're not paying for water.

A single shampoo bar can replace several bottles of liquid shampoo, depending on your hair length and how often you wash it.

The same goes for conditioner and body wash.

That means you're unlikely to run out halfway through your holiday, even if you're away for a couple of weeks.

It also means you're not buying miniature travel products that often cost nearly as much as the full-sized versions.

They're Lighter Too

Weight might not seem like a big deal until you're standing at airport check-in, hoping your suitcase isn't half a kilo over the limit.

Every bottle adds weight.

Bars don't.

It's not just flying either.

If you're camping, staying in a caravan, taking the horse lorry away for a show, heading off in the camper van or even throwing an overnight bag into the boot of the car, travelling lighter simply makes life easier.

They're Surprisingly Tough

People sometimes imagine solid bars are delicate.

Actually, they're much tougher than bottles.

They won't crack if they get knocked around in your luggage, they don't need pumps or flip lids, and there's very little that can go wrong.

As long as you let them dry before packing them away, they'll happily travel from place to place.

I usually just pop mine into a soap bag or travel tin once they're dry.

That's it.

No fuss.

Performance Always Comes First

One thing I hear quite often is,

"I'd love to switch to bars... but do they actually work?"

It's a fair question.

For years, solid toiletries had a reputation for being something you bought because they were environmentally friendly, not because they performed particularly well.

That has never been my approach.

I've always believed people should buy a shampoo because it leaves their hair looking fantastic.

The fact that it happens to be plastic-free is a lovely bonus.

If it didn't perform as well as — or better than — the bottled products people are used to, I wouldn't make it.

Performance has always come first.

Everything else follows naturally.

One Less Thing To Think About

I think that's what I appreciate most now.

Packing has become simpler.

I don't have to check whether I've enough shampoo left.

I don't have to buy travel bottles.

I don't have to worry about airport security.

I don't have to wonder if something is going to leak over my clothes.

The bars just live in the bathroom, and when it's time to travel, they come with me.

It's one less thing to think about.

A Small Environmental Bonus

People often assume the environmental aspect is the biggest reason to switch.

For some people it absolutely is.

For me, it's more of a happy consequence.

When you remove the plastic bottles, reduce the packaging, and buy products that last longer, you're naturally creating less waste.

That's a good thing.

But I don't think anyone should feel they have to compromise to achieve it.

The best sustainable product is the one you genuinely enjoy using and keep coming back to.

A Few Travel Tips

After years of travelling with bars, there are a few little habits I've picked up.

• Let the bars dry before packing them away.

• A soap bag, travel tin or even a small reusable container works brilliantly.

• If you're staying somewhere for more than a night or two, leave the bars somewhere they can dry between uses rather than sitting in a puddle of water.

• If you're travelling as a family, it's often easier than bringing several different bottles.

• And if you're only taking hand luggage, bars make life so much simpler.

The Bottom Line

I never really intended to become someone who talks about travelling with bars.

It just happened because they're genuinely easier.

Sometimes the simplest ideas end up making the biggest difference.

Every time I pack a bag now, I realise there's one less thing to remember, one less thing to worry about and one less thing taking up space.

Whether you're heading abroad, off on a weekend break, travelling to a horse show or simply spending a few nights away with family, I honestly think once you've travelled with solid bars, you'll wonder why you didn't make the switch sooner.

Safe travels,

Janni