Can You Bring Bar Soap on a Plane? TSA Rules Explained

Good news for travelers: bar soap is allowed in your carry-on and your checked bag. Because it is a solid, it is not subject to the TSA liquids limit.

The TSA rules at a glance

• Bar soap: allowed in carry-on and checked bags.
• Liquid soap and body wash: in carry-on bags, containers must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and fit in one quart-size bag.
• Larger liquid bottles: pack them in checked luggage.

As always, the final decision rests with the TSA officer at the checkpoint.

Why bar soap is great for travel

• No leaks in your bag.
• No size limit and no space taken in your liquids bag.
• Lasts a long time.
• Less plastic packaging.

Shampoo bars work the same way. See the best shampoo bars.

How to pack wet soap

• Let the bar dry for a few hours before packing if you can.
• Use a vented travel tin or a soap saver bag.
• Cut a large bar into smaller travel pieces.
• Wrap a damp bar in a washcloth inside a small bag.

What else counts as a solid?

Solid toiletries are generally easier to fly with than liquids. Common solid swaps include:

• Bar soap and solid face cleansers.
• Shampoo bars and conditioner bars. See the best shampoo bars.
• Solid deodorant sticks.
• Solid lotion bars and lip balms.
• Toothpaste tablets.

Gels, pastes and creams usually count as liquids, so if in doubt, check the TSA's 'What Can I Bring?' tool before you go.

A simple solid-toiletry travel kit

1. One bar of soap for hands and body, cut in half for short trips.
2. A shampoo bar in a small tin.
3. A soap saver bag or vented tin for drying.
4. A small washcloth to wrap damp bars.
5. A zip bag for anything still wet on the day you leave.

Hotel and hostel tips

• Let your bar dry on the sink or windowsill overnight before packing.
• Do not leave bars in the shower stream; they dissolve fast.
• Hostel tip: keep your bar in a closed tin so it does not pick up grit in shared bathrooms.

Is a shared hotel bar hygienic?

New hotel bars are usually wrapped. If you are using a bar someone else has used, research suggests germs on a bar of soap are not transferred to your hands when you wash. See bar soap vs liquid hand soap.

International flights

Rules for solids are similar in many countries, but check the security agency for the country you are departing from.