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One of the tiny details you never think about on your trip is your shower essentials. Sure, you probably obsess over downsizing your beauty products and toiletries, but what about your loofah or other cleansing items? Take a look at my round up of the best items to take on your travels!
Travel-Friendly Shower Essentials
Table Of Contents
This may sound random, but one of the small details that confused me on my first trip to Europe was what bath accessories to bring.
The reason why this was an issue is because I planned on visiting multiple destinations in under two weeks and would only stay in each place for one or two nights. I didn’t want to have to repack a wet loofah in my bag every time. The friend that I was traveling with brought a washcloth, which never dried. Needless to say, that was a big mistake.
So, I did some research. Some people suggested that the most efficient item to bring was a quick dry travel washcloth. Others recommended I just skip it altogether and use a bar of soap and my hands. Below we’ve put together a list of alternatives to washcloths.
Follow our ultimate guide to creating the perfect travel toiletries list and master the art of packing!
Shower Essentials
A travel loofah is easy to carry along on any journey
I looked for the best travel washcloth I could find, but I instead settled on this pouf scrubber by Aquasentials. It’s lightweight, dries relatively quickly, and is also easy to clean.
While a large option probably wouldn’t take up too much space, a smaller travel size loofah is best for keeping your belongings to a minimum. If you use a backpack as a personal item, then you can easily attach it to the outside and allow it to air dry while on the go.
Boie USA Body Scrubber with Handle
Body Scrubber as a lightweight alternative to a traditional loofah
This is my preferred alternative to traditional loofahs because it’s easy to clean and creates far less waste. The durable design helps prevent odor and bacteria buildup, making it a more hygienic option for everyday use. It’s also lightweight and long-lasting, which makes it especially practical for travel.
Mini version for your face that can also be used for your body as an extra minimalist option, too.
Read these tips on how to minimize toiletry products for even more tips!
ERASE YOUR FACE Makeup Remover Cloths
Makeup remover cloths as a body cleansing cloth
Designed for the face, this cloth also makes an excellent alternative to a traditional washcloth, especially for travelers with sensitive skin. It’s soft, gentle, and quick-drying. They also have larger sizes here.
This is the closest option to a traditional washcloth, but with a fast-drying design that makes it more practical for travel.
These are thinner and more packable than towel washcloths, however, note that they may not dry as quickly as microfiber styles.
This exfoliating travel loofa takes up minimum suitcase space
This exfoliating travel loofah takes up minimal space in your suitcase, making it ideal for extremely hot, humid, or dusty destinations. Its thin, lightweight design won’t add bulk to your bag, yet it effectively removes sweat, dirt, and buildup so you won’t feel grimy after a long day of sightseeing.
This Zomchi is best for a washcloth alternative that also exfoliates.
Here are a few more tips on how to stay sweat-free when you’re traveling!
Pumice bars are shower necessities for your feet
Traveling to dusty destinations such as Vietnam and India or planning on doing a safari adventure in Africa? Prepare to tackle dirty feet with a foot scrubber like this one by Mr. Pumice. I cut mine in half so it takes up less space, and I get double the use out of it. It’s also featherlight so it doesn’t add any weight to my bag.
I love these bars – not only do they keep my feet soft by removing dead, dry skin cells but they also help me feel cleaner overall. My feet love to be in sandals, so this item is a must!
More Options to Consider
These are other cleansing options. While they are lightweight and reusable, they may not dry quickly, so they don’t make our top recommendations.
- This is what I use at home, but I wouldn’t travel with it if staying at more than one hotel because it doesn’t dry quickly. Plus, I wash it in the washing machine.
- Many travelers said they were efficient and best used with a bar of soap. I took their advice only and gave the gloves a try, but they took a long time to dry, so they weren’t my preferred choice in the end.
Avoid taking liquids in your carryon by replacing them with solid toiletries and travel wipes!
Regular Towel
Don’t pack a full-size towel, ever! They’re bulky space wasters and are NOT travel-friendly at all, especially when you’re moving from place to place frequently.
You won’t believe how many times I’ve seen travelers lugging around big, damp towels—not only are they not efficient for drying off, they get stinky. Plus, they’re pretty gross when shoved in with all your clean stuff.
If you’re staying at a hotel or an Airbnb, you’ll have towels waiting for you. However, if you’re camping, going on safari, scuba diving, snorkeling, traveling on a budget, or staying in hostels, bringing your own towel like this one by Sea to Summit is a must! It’s quick to dry when you’re on the go.
I ALWAYS have a travel towel in my suitcase. Even if none of the above scenarios apply, I can use it to wrap my hair or dry off on the beach. I prefer it against my wet skin to a sarong. If you get one, don’t plan to wrap it around your entire body, they aren’t very large.
This is the closest material in a travel towel to get a soft feel. This brand has the most packable practical style. There are hundreds of microfiber towels but most are better suited for gyms vs travel because they are much thicker. Stick to Sea to Summit for a trusted travel brand for function.
Double-check the sizing and choose one closest to the size you’d normally use for a regular body towel. These Nomadix Ultralight Towel and Rainleaf Microfiber Towel are other options available.
A Turkish towel is also a stylish option for female travelers.
Take a look at our best beach towels for travel. Hardly any suitcase space required!
Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Towel
I travel with a small hair towel like this one by Turbie Twist. It’s super absorbent, helps hair dry quicker, and minimizes overall prep time.
It was particularly helpful when I was on my round-the-world backpacking trip and stayed at budget guesthouses or hostels, which hardly ever provide towels. It’s also great for home use.
We’ve rounded up our favorite travel towels!
Betty Dain Mold Resistant Lined Shower Cap
If you don’t feel like washing your hair every day, put your dynamite ‘do in a stylish hair cover by Betty Dain. Not only does it look funky in black and white, but it’s leak-free and will dry quickly when not in use.
When you get home, you can just toss this durable cap in a washing machine with other accessories like your travel washcloth, but make sure to air dry it to extend its use.
Need tips on how to manage your hair while traveling? Check out these travel hair tips!
Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Stuff Sack 3-Piece Set
Bring a loofah travel case to store all your bathroom essentials
If you’re on the move and find that accessories like your travel loofa haven’t dried, use a wet/dry bag like this one by Sea to Summit to prevent other items in your suitcase from getting wet.
You can also use the bags to store your bathing suit!
Take a look at this list of other luggage organizers!
Watch this video to see how to pack your toiletries into your carry-on or the video above to learn how to downsize your toiletries!
How do I pack toiletries?
Be sure to read our complete guide to packing toiletries here. It walks you through, step by step, how to choose what to pack, how to downsize what you have, and how to pack it.
Do a test run to see if everything fits in your toiletry bag. If your belongings don’t fit, consider using multi-use products such as a shampoo/conditioner combo, using conditioner as shaving cream, or baby shampoo for your hair and body.
If you’ll be traveling for a longer time, you can buy toiletries at your destination.
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
What are your travel shower essentials? Share in the comments!
For more ideas on other travel essentials, please read the following:
- Shaving While Traveling: What Are My Options?
- 5 Tips to Travel Size Toiletries for Minimalist Travelistas
- 6 Travel Wipes to Help You Avoid Packing Liquids
- The 3 Best Travel Containers
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I’ve never regretted bringing my hair towel on any of my adventures!
It’s always important to bring what is necessary for you! Every traveler is different! Thanks for reading Emily!