It’s the question that every hotel toiletry snatcher is wondering: can you bring bar soap with you on a plane? You might be able to sneak it past the Ramada front desk attendant, but airport security tends to be less forgiving.
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Can You Bring Bar Soap On A Plane?
Yes!
You’ll have no problems getting a bar of soap through TSA, and airlines don’t place any restrictions on bar soap in your checked luggage. So pack it in any bag you’d like.
You do have to worry about liquid soap in your carry-on. Normal TSA restrictions on liquids apply to liquid soap, so don’t carry more than a small sample-sized bottle. Anything larger needs to go in your checked luggage.
But bar soap is free to roam the airport! And it’s often easier to pack than a liquid soap option. One 3 oz bar of soap is also going to last longer than a 3 oz bottle of liquid soap, so it’s a nifty packing hack to go with solid soaps when you’re traveling.
That’s a point for bar soap vs liquid soap.
How Do You Pack Bar Soap For Travel?
If you’re rushing out the door right now, throwing toiletries in ziplock bags, please, please leave the bar soap out of the ziplock. Pat it dry with a paper towel and wrap it in a washcloth instead.
Wet soap stored in a ziplock bag is a recipe for disaster. It won’t take long for the bar to get mushy or slimy, and it’s even more likely to cause a mess. This can be especially fatal if you’re packing for a week-long trip: by day three, you’ll be agonizing over the state of your bar. You’re almost better off letting the soap raw-dog in your luggage.
Plan ahead, and give your bar soap time to dry off before you pack it. If you’re comfortable just sticking it in the bag dry, then go right ahead. It shouldn’t cause any issues. Otherwise, wrap it in a washcloth for your peace of mind.
You can even buy soap traveling cases with breathing holes, but that’s really not necessary. If worst comes to worst, you can always just carry the bar with you like a fun little accessory. That’s sure to start some airport conversations.
How Much Soap Can You Take On A Plane?
As much as you can carry! Fill your carry-on with soap just to mess with TSA.
Of course, your checked bags probably have weight restrictions, but there’s no limit on the number of bars you can have, as long as you don’t go over that weight limit.
The real thing you have to worry about is whether the soap is wet. If you ignored my advice earlier and threw your soap into a ziplock bag (*cough* traitor *cough*), then you might run into problems with airport security if they find too much water in the bag.
This only applies to bar soap (even the rare Aleppo soap or commercial triple milled soap). With liquid soap, you’re going to have to adhere to the normal airport liquid rules.
If you’re wondering how much soap you need to pack, then one fresh bar will probably last a month. For longer trips you might want a second bar, or you can buy bar number two once you reach your destination. (Fun traveling tip: if you’re on vacation for more than a month, try buying a local handmade soap! Might end up being a fun part of your trip.)
How To Carry Bar Soap When Traveling
As long as you’ve packed the soap nicely, there’s no right or wrong way to carry it. Technically, you could even carry bar soap right in your hand, and TSA shouldn’t raise any alarms.
For liquid soaps, airports usually require that you place the bottle in a clear ziplock bag, and you can’t carry more than 3.4 ounces. That’s why it’s advantageous to pack bar soap instead. If you’re only traveling with a carry-on, bar soap will last longer and pack easier.
If the question you mean to ask is, “How can I pack my bar soap so that it doesn’t get stolen at the airport?” Then don’t worry about that. Nobody wants your partially used bar soap. In fact, it’s a good weapon if someone does try to take your bag. Hold it in your fist to pack a more powerful punch.
Can You Bring Soap In Checked Luggage?
Yes! As much as you want. As long as you don’t go over your baggage weight limit.
Like we talked about earlier, be careful how you pack it so that you don’t get suds on your clothes. Pat the bar dry, wrap it in a washcloth, and avoid ziplock bags at all costs.
If you’re dead set on packing a liquid soap, then put it in your checked bag rather than your carry-on. That way you avoid any possible TSA issues. But I still recommend going with a trusty old bar soap. It packs light, lasts longer, and won’t explode in-flight.
Frank Edwards
Frank Edwards is a men's grooming & style expert who is "internet famous" for being able to simplify complicated grooming routines into easy, yet effective rituals any man can do. As a professional analyst, he has spent years researching the biggest brands, products, experts, best practices, and breaking news in the space. He takes this analysis, tests it out on himself, and then documents everything in his writing. As a result, his experience-based articles are considered by some to be the gold standard in men's grooming and men's style.