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Why You Should Always Pack a Shower Cap When Traveling

Someone holds a shower cap
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The trick to an amazing trip lies not just in the destination, but in the preparation as well. Knowing how to pack your suitcase can make your travel experience significantly better in more ways than one, and one of the best hacks comes in the form of a shower cap.

Why a Shower Cap Belongs in Your Suitcase

Two shower caps hanging in a bathroom
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Figuring out how to pack shoes is one of the most difficult aspects of packing. Your shoes are in constant contact with the grime and dirt of the streets, so you don’t want them mingling with the clean clothes in your suitcase. The easiest way to solve this problem? Use a shower cap to wrap your shoes before you pack them.

Wrapping your shoes in a shower cap prevents the grime on the bottom of your shoes from dirtying your clothes and ruining the inside of your suitcase. A shower cap acts as a barrier, keeping the dirt confined to the shoes and away from your clothes.

Pengxiaomei Shower Caps

These shower caps are all reusable.

More Genius Packing Tips

An open suitcase someone is packing
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Packing efficiently involves a range of strategies and hacks that can make your travels a breeze. Whether it’s determining how to pack shoes or how to keep your clothes smelling fresh, the correct packing techniques will make your trip so much better. Here are some more tips that will help you solve the puzzle of how to pack a suitcase to keep your things clean and organized before and during your travels.

Repurpose Your Glasses Case

Your old glasses case can serve as a fantastic storage compartment for small, delicate items like jewelry. Glasses cases are typically hard-shelled and sturdy, providing a protective barrier against potential damage. Beyond jewelry, these cases can also house other small items like USB sticks, earbuds, or even spare change.

Marvolia Glasses Case

Great for keeping small things safe.

Bring a Bag For Dirty Laundry

It’s inevitable—your clothes will get dirty during your trip. So, how do you manage this without letting the dirty clothes soil the clean ones? Simply bring a spare bag for these clothes, whether it’s a mesh laundry bag or even an old grocery bag. An extra bag is easy to pack and will take up minimal room in your suitcase.

Sylfairy Laundry Bag Set

Perfect for keeping your dirty clothes separate in your suitcase.

Reduce Odor With Dryer Sheets

Before closing your suitcase for the last time on your way to the airport, don’t forget to throw in a few dryer sheets. These are your best bet to ensure your clothes always smell fresh and clean, no matter how long your journey. They can also reduce static electricity and help with minor wrinkles in your clothes.

Downy Infusions Mega Dryer Sheets

These will keep your clothes smelling fresh during your trip.


If you’re wondering how to pack a suitcase without getting your things dirty, there are plenty of easy solutions out there. Not only will these tips keep your suitcase tidy and your clothes clean, but they’ll also make unpacking a breeze.

Anne Taylor Anne Taylor
Anne Taylor is a writer with a BA in Journalism and a passion for storytelling. Her work has been published on a variety of websites including Mental Floss and Well + Good, and she recently published her first novel, What it Takes to Lose. When she's not writing, Anne loves to travel (19 countries and counting), spend time outside, and play with her dog, Pepper. Read Full Bio »
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