Household items you should never travel without – from dental floss to CLING FILM
From bubble wrap and door stops to instant noodles - these home essentials could end up saving holidaymakers a lot of time and money
IT'S tempting to pack everything but the kitchen sink when heading off for a two-week holiday, after all - no one likes to do without.
But while anything plumbed in should definitely stay at home, there are some household items that could make the world of difference on vacation.
Well-seasoned travellers have been sharing with the everyday items they couldn't live without while on holiday.
From dental floss to door wedges, these home essentials could end up saving holidaymakers a lot of time and money.
Read on to find out more...
1. Dental floss
Irene Flynn said: "The value of dental floss can be underestimated when travelling as extra strong emergency sewing thread.
"So pack a canvas quality needle and a small stitch unpicker and forget about heavy locks and cable ties on luggage.
"Use dental floss instead, very strong, easy to see if any interference has taken place, quick to tie but not easy to untie — hence the stitch unpicker.
Elizabeth J. Brown added: "Dental floss is the best thing for emergency repairs. It cannot be broken, only cut.
"I have used it to replace shoelaces, stitch up torn zips on suitcases, to attach the hinge arm of your glasses as it will fit through the screw hole, sewing on buttons and many other unexpected problems."
2. Zip lock bags
Deborah Wiseman said: "Whenever I travel I always include in my luggage two or three zip lock plastic bags.
"They take up no space but are great back-up for occasions like keeping something separate for customs inspection, sealing up something that has started to leak or using as an emergency icepack if you sprain your ankle or, as I did, hurt my knee.
"The hotel barman is always happy to provide ice in an ice bucket for your icepack."
3. Luggage scales
Cecilia Gribben said: "Pack a handheld luggage scale if travelling by air.
"With these days of strict luggage controls by budget airlines it’s a very handy apparatus to have on hand. All your friends will want to use it too."
4. Toilet roll
Gary Balnave said: "When travelling, always pack a spare toilet roll in your luggage. Treat this like a parachute — if you only use it once it’s a life saver."
5. Cling film
Carmenita Green said: "Lay out necklaces and jewellery on a sheet of cling wrap and seal with another sheet of cling wrap to stop jewellery from tangling.
"And when packing hand creams and sanitisers, put a layer of cling wrap on the opened bottle then replace lid to stop packages exploding at high altitude."
Julie Anderson said: "Always take a cheap roll of cling wrap and duct tape.
"My best use was when my checked-in luggage was split between two bags. I wrapped the two bags together using the cling wrap to avoid the excess charge."
6. Ice cream container
David Dem said: "AI put things that might leak in it on the way there and breakable souvenirs on the way home.
"It is lightweight and can be used as a bucket for washing small items, the dreaded vomit and a multitude of other uses."
7. Packet noodles
Barbara White said: "Instant soups and/or noodles make a quick and cheap meal if on the go and arriving late at hotels or transiting at airports.
"Just carry an unbreakable mug and small teaspoon in carry-on luggage, ask for boiling water (free or 50p max at airports) or hotels do for free at their bar area."
8. Bike lock
Sharon McKean said: "When travelling overseas we always pack a bike lock with us. It comes in handy in tying your bags together when travelling on trains, buses or even in the boot of a hire car.
"A bike lock makes it a bit more difficult for thieves to carry two bags tied together. It can also be used to tie your bags together in your room/luggage storage areas."
9. Bubble wrap
Lisa Maree Wilkins said: "Fill under packed travel cases with bubble wrap to ensure items don’t move around in your cases.
"Less ironing, breakages, etc, and it can then be used to wrap valuables and items you buy while travelling."
10. Door wedge
Lindsey Evans-Hunter said: "On numerous holidays, I have struggled to keep the hotel room door open long enough to get myself and suitcases in before the door slams shut. Not any more.
"A small plastic door wedge, easily stored in handbag for a quick retrieval, has solved the problem."
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11. Clothes hangers
Liz Copini said: "Take a cheap pliable metal clothes hanger, put it in the inside of the lid of your suitcase for easy access.
"In hotels, hangers are fixed on a pin, so you cannot use them to hang your wet shirt or undies to dry in the bathroom.";
This article was originally published on Escape and has been reproduced with permission.