A Little About the TSA 3-1-1 Regulations

In the past few years, it has become more important to carefully plan and pack your travel toiletries. Of course, now that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has formulated its stringent 3-1-1 guidelines, the days of simply tossing your various shampoos, toothpastes, and shaving creams from your bathroom cabinet into your carry on bag are over.

If you have traveled by air over the course of the last several years, you are probably aware of the TSA travel regulations that limit the type and amount of liquids and other items passengers are allowed to carry onto the plane. (We have a link to the TSA here on our site – you can click here to access it and get the most up-to-date information.)

Generally speaking, each traveler can have 1 zipper-lock, clear, 1-quart sized bag holding products in a maximum of 3-ounce container (by volume). Hence, the 3-1-1 rule means, “3-ounces (or less, by volume),” “1-quart,” and “1 per person.”

John and I really didn’t have too much trouble with this requirement since our whole motto has always been “Travel Light,” and making a travel toiletries kit suitable for carry on was not too difficult.

What Happens When You’re Fussy

But, one of the issues I have had – more so than John – is that I have very sensitive skin, sensitive eyes, and I’m pretty fussy about the types of personal products I use. For example, neither John nor I use any oral care products that include fluoride. Try finding fluoride-free toothpaste at your local big-box store or pharmacy! Then… try finding it in a travel size! Ha!

Then, to take it one step further, I prefer personal care products that are not tested on animals. While it is getting a bit easier to find regular sized products that are not tested on animals, it’s a little more difficult to find them in a travel size.

So, my search began! How could I formulate a travel toiletries kit that suits my needs and preferences?

Being the entrepreneurial spirits that we are, we actually kicked around starting a company that would meet the 3-1-1 need. Lo and behold, we didn’t have to! As it turns out, someone – actually a few someones – beat us to it!

Keeping in mind that we are promoting traveling light and efficiently, I’m also not heartless! As much as it’s pretty easy to use the bar of soap supplied by the hotels for a few days, it’s also nice to be able to travel with really nice products that you feel good about as well.

Excellent Toothpaste Alternative

I mentioned on my Travel Packing Tips page that for toothpaste, we really like the Eco-Dent Tooth POWDER. Boy, I wish they had an affiliate program, because I would be placing ads all over the place for them. If you are not adverse to trying tooth powder, I sincerely can recommend their product. If you cannot find it at your local health food store, you can find it at their www.LotusBrands.com site or at www.EcoDent.com. Definitely check it out! Oh yeah – it’s not a liquid, so it may not be a TSA 3-1-1 issue. But, I still put it into my 1-quart, clear, zip-top bag just to be on the safe side.

Where Can One Locate Organic and Natural Travel Sized Toiletries?

But, my biggest search was to find a supplier that would suit people like myself who wanted a broader array of products – while good ol’ “any brand” shampoo is fine, it would be nice to have the option to bring along an all-natural, not tested on animals brand that I prefer.

And, because I don’t use fluoride in my toothpaste, I was looking for a supplier that offered something other than the standard brands. And, if I could find someone who sold deodorants without aluminum, that would be great too!

Fortunately, there are a few places where you can get pretty much the best of all worlds now! You can now design your own travel toiletries kit while using the types of products you like best AND get it all in one-stop shopping without breaking the bank.

Both “Minimus” and “Travel Toiletry Kits” carry a great selection of travel-sized toiletries.

Here is a little about each of them.