Latest news with #toiletries
Fox News
a day ago
- Business
- Fox News
Hotel toiletries targeted by Maine lawmakers in latest environmental push
A bill in Maine would mandate hotels to forgo small bottles containing "single-use plastic containers" in "lodging establishments" — banning single-size hotel shampoo offerings and other toiletries. The enforcement bill is advancing in the Pine Tree State's legislature in the hopes of reducing waste. "This bill prohibits lodging establishments from providing personal health or beauty products in small single-use plastic containers to persons staying in a lodging establishment or within bathrooms shared by the public and guests of the lodging establishment," reads bill LD 1928's summary. Hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, inns, time-share properties, short-term rentals and vacation rentals are listed as lodging establishments. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2030, lodging establishments with more than 50 rooms will not be able to provide toiletry bottles under 6 ounces. In 2032, the ban will expand to lodging establishments with fewer than 50 rooms. For hotels that do not comply, a civil violation will be issued with a $100 fine. While the bill says lodging establishments cannot provide single-use toiletries, it is unclear if establishments can still sell them to travelers. Some large hotels have already begun making adjustments. "We have long been focused on our residential amenities program, switching from small toiletry bottles to larger, pump-topped bottles as part of our commitment to reduce plastic waste," a Marriott Hotels spokesperson previously told FOX Business. A Hilton spokesperson previously told FOX Business, "As of 2023, Hilton properties were required to transition to full-size shampoo, conditioner and soap amenities, eliminating single-use miniature bottles and reducing disposed bars of soap." Maine is not the first state to tackle a ban on hotel toiletry bottles. New York, California and Illinois all have similar laws in place — while Washington's ban will take effect in 2027. Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Janet Mills' office for comment.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
I tried 5 viral packing hacks to see which could fit EVERYTHING into my £16 Primark carry-on case & the best was free
WITH many of us gearing up for summer getaways, the cost-of-living crisis continues to place pressure on our budgets. As a result, more travellers are opting for carry-on hand luggage to avoid additional fees. 12 However, with strict size and weight restrictions imposed by major airlines, the challenge of fitting five days' worth of clothing, shoes, hair products, and toiletries into one compact case can feel daunting, if not impossible. Social media is flooded with packing hacks promising to make this process easier, claiming you can effortlessly fit everything you need into your hand luggage. Determined to separate the genuinely useful hacks from the overhyped ones, I decided to put them to the test. And as someone who proudly holds the title of 'world's worst packer' - frequently squashing items into my suitcase, breaking zips, or sitting on it to close it - I knew I'd be a tough critic. To really push these hacks to their limits, I packed for a five-day trip that required clothing for both rain and sunshine. This meant including a mix of warm and lightweight items to create a variety of outfits. My packing list included: a thick blazer, a wool turtleneck jumper, a shirt, five T-shirts, a summer dress, two pairs of shorts, two pairs of jeans, five pairs of socks and underwear, a belt, a pair of trainers, flip-flops, my hairdryer, and a bag of toiletries. For the test, I used a cabin-sized soft-shell suitcase measuring 55 x 35 x 18cm, which I bought for £16 from Primark. Here's how it went. One in three travellers admit they have no idea how to pack a suitcase efficiently Packing cubes Rating: 4/5 12 12 Packing cubes are all the rage, constantly popping up on my social feed, so naturally, I had to put them to the test. I picked up a set of packing cubes from Primark for £8 and started with the largest one. I carefully folded my clothes to match the size of the cube, ensuring they were as flat as possible. To my surprise, I managed to fit nearly my entire five days' worth of outfits into the largest cube, with only one pair of shorts, socks, underwear, and my belt left out. I placed the packed cube flat into my suitcase, and while it took up the majority of the space, the clothes were neatly compressed and zipped up, leaving some room around it. There was enough space for a smaller cube, which I used to pack the remaining clothes. The smaller cube fit perfectly alongside the larger one. This clever use of space left more than enough room in the other compartment of the suitcase for my shoes, hairdryer, and toiletries. The packing cubes not only kept everything organised but also made it much easier to maximise the available space. The only issue is, you have to pay for the cubes! Vertical packing Rating: 5/5 12 12 12 The vertical packing hack for a carry-on suitcase is a brilliant way to maximise space while keeping your items neatly organised. Begin by laying out all the clothes you plan to pack, folding or rolling them as compactly as possible. Instead of stacking clothes horizontally (one on top of the other), position each item upright and side by side, much like filing papers in a drawer. This approach not only saves space but also allows you to see all your belongings at a glance, eliminating the need to rummage through layers. Initially, I was sceptical about this hack - especially with the bulkier items I needed to pack. I couldn't imagine fitting everything into such a small suitcase. But to my surprise, it worked! As someone who typically piles everything in haphazardly, I was genuinely shocked by how much I managed to fit using this method. You can use smaller items like socks, underwear, belts, and swimwear to fill gaps between the upright clothes. Shoes can go at the bottom or sides of the suitcase. Place toiletries in a sealed bag and tuck them into any remaining gaps, ensuring they don't shift during travel. If you have heavier or bulkier items (e.g., a hairdryer), place them at the bottom or corners of the suitcase for balance. Use zippered compartments for accessories like chargers or hair products. It's a game-changer for efficient packing. The horizontal rolling method Rating: 1/5 The rolling method - where clothes are rolled into compact cylinders instead of folded flat—is designed to maximise suitcase space. By rolling your clothes, you can save room compared to traditional flat folding, allowing you to fit more items into your luggage. This method is also said to reduce creases in fabric and keeps your packing visually organised, as you can easily see and locate each piece of clothing. Additionally, it claims to efficiently fill gaps by utilising every bit of available space. A popular twist on the hack suggests laying rolled clothes horizontally (packing from the side of the suitcase rather than the bottom) instead of vertically. While this might work for thinner items like T-shirts and shorts, it becomes far less effective when packing bulkier clothes. In my experience, thicker items like jumpers and jeans took up most of the suitcase when laid horizontally, leaving little room for anything else. As a result, I could only half-pack my suitcase, making the hack impractical for trips requiring varied clothing. Ultimately, I found this variation more effort than it's worth, earning it a low mark. While it might work for lightweight summer clothes, it's certainly not ideal for bulkier or mixed outfits. Holiday packing tips Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday. 1. Write a list Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase. Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack. 2. Involve your kids Jemma said: 'My girls are getting older, they're 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say 'this is what you need' and they follow the list. 'And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them 'you can have whatever you want in there as long as it's not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that's their 'home away from home' items.' 3. Try a hack or two She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you've just got to pick the right one for your trip. "Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you're trying to get a lot of items into your case, it's a space saver. 'Packing cubes are great - for example, I'm going on holiday with my three kids and we're all using the same suitcase for our clothes. "These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked. "I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we've arrived." 4. Decant beauty products Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller. Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive. 5. Get organised before you come home Jemma said: 'When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. 'Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. "Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don't leave it." The vertical rolling method Rating: 2/5 This method is quite similar to the previous hack but slightly more refined - and feels like one that's been passed down through generations long before the days of social media. Instead of laying the rolled cylinders horizontally, the hack suggests packing them vertically. I found this approach to be much more effective, as it allowed for better organisation and made use of the suitcase's height. However, despite its advantages, I was still left with a pair of shorts that didn't quite fit, and closing the suitcase turned into a struggle. I even had to sit on it to get it zipped up, with my belt awkwardly squeezed in at the last minute. While it's an improvement on the horizontal method, it still falls short for bulkier items or when you're packing for a longer trip. Space saving method Rating: 2/5 12 12 This hack was the perfect complement to my vertical rolling method, helping me free up extra space in my suitcase by cleverly utilising every spare inch. The idea is to maximise not just the space inside your suitcase but also use items like shoes and the edges of the bag. The hack suggests using your shoes or trainers as holders for smaller items like socks and underwear. This simple trick created just enough extra space for me to fit my pair of shorts into the remaining gaps, along with the rest of my underwear. Another ingenious tip was to avoid rolling up your belt. Instead, lay it flat and wrap it around the edge of the suitcase, surrounding your packed clothes. This was such a savvy solution and made perfect sense - it's hard to believe I hadn't thought of it before This hack is a no-brainer for anyone looking to optimise their packing and is definitely worth trying on your next trip. Luggage Rules for Major Airlines British Airways Cabin Baggage: 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and 1 personal item (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm), total weight up to 23 kg. Checked Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy, Business, and First Class allow more. EasyJet Cabin Baggage: 1 small cabin bag (max 45 x 36 x 20 cm), no weight limit but must fit under the seat. Checked Baggage: Fees apply, up to 23 kg per bag. Passengers can pay for additional weight up to 32 kg. Ryanair Cabin Baggage: 1 small bag (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm). Priority boarding allows an additional larger cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg). Checked Baggage: Fees apply, options for 10 kg or 20 kg bags. Virgin Atlantic Cabin Baggage: Economy and Premium allow 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 36 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg). Upper Class allows 2 bags. Checked Baggage: Economy Light has no checked baggage. Economy Classic, Delight, and Premium allow at least 1 bag up to 23 kg. Upper Class allows 2 bags. Emirates Cabin Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag (max 55 x 38 x 20 cm, up to 7 kg). Business and First Class allow 2 bags (total up to 12 kg). Checked Baggage: Economy Class varies by fare type (from 20 kg to 35 kg). Business and First Class allow up to 40 kg and 50 kg respectively.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
17 Essential Travel Products That'll Turn You Into A Pro At Packing
Make packing less of a hassle with these compression cubes, organizers, and accessory cases. If you have a big trip coming up, you're probably excited to get away, but the thought of packing can be a bit stressful. To help you out, we've taken a deep dive into organizers and found the best of the best the internet has to offer. Whether you need a storage solution for your jewellery, want to compress your clothes to fit more in your bag, or would like to keep your toiletries from spilling all over your clean laundry, we've got you covered. Here are all the packing cubes, toiletry bags, and pouches you should order before your next trip: Our Guide To The Best Soft Coolers In Canada In 2025 (And Where To Get Them) 17 Carry-On Essentials To Pack In 2025 Our Guide To The Best Luggage Trackers In Canada In 2025 (And Where To Get Them) Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We'll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
I'm a single mother-of-four living on a budget - my big supermarket shop costs £300 but it lasts me a whole YEAR
A mother-of-four has shared her secret for saving thousands of pounds on food and household goods every year. Charlene Woracker, from the UK, took to TikTok to reveal the hack, telling her 29,000 followers that she manages to save shed loads of cash by doing just one stockpile shop a year. The mother, who regularly shares her budgeting tips on social media, shared a list of 31 budget buys she swears by. In the clip, she shared a series of pictures showcasing an array of stockpiled goods 0 including tinned tomatoes, bin bags, cereal and a whole year's worth of toiletries. Charlene said she keeps costs down by doing big shops at the beginning of the year, bulk buying products that are on offer an stowing them away at home. Sharing her impressive yield, the frugal mother said she had spent a whopping £300 on the haul from Sainsbury's. First on the list, Charlene stocked up on multipacks of toilet rolls, with each pack having cost £1.44 using a Nectar card. Next was an armful of multigrain hoops, each costing 85p, and offering 12 servings per box. Penny-pinching Charlene also secured a barrel of bargain dinners with a tray of 20 tins of baked beans. The savvy shopper didn't just stock up on canned goods, but made sure the bathroom and cleaning cupboards would be well supplied, purchasing several Nature Source shower gels on offer at two for £2 as well as Colgate toothpaste for £1, shampoo for 79p, conditioner, hand soap for 59p and panty liners for £1.60. Piling the pantry with plenty of non-perishables, Charlene also stocked up on condiments and seasonings. She also bagged several bags of basmati rice, each priced at £1.79, posh Maldon Sea Salt, a handful of bottles of tomato ketchup for 90p, BBQ sauce for £1.15, and a dozen dinners' worth of spaghetti, each packet coming to just 29p. Charlene maximised her budget by buying very few branded products, including taking home a dozen packets of store-branded pasta which she insisted 'tastes just as good as branded packs of spaghetti'. The mother took home four litres of Greek extra virgin olive oil for just over £30 using her Nectar card. She also filled her pantry shelves with several packets of digestive biscuits for 59p each, real mayonnaise for 99p a jar, Fairtrade light brown soft sugar for £3.50 a kilo, and tinned tomatoes costing £1.88 for a four pack. Making sure she is prepared or any event, Charlene also stocked up on a few cartons of UHT whole milk, should she ever run out and need some in a pinch. Charlene maximised her budget by buying no branded products, including taking home a dozen packs of pasta which she insisted 'tastes just as good as branded packs of spaghetti' She bought unbranded sponges in a pack of six for 65p each, bin liners for £1.25 a pack, Sainsbury's own nappies for £3.59, and cotton wool pads for 99p for 200. At the end of the haul, Charlene said: 'Everything will last three to 12 months. It saves me thousands by shopping like this and brings down my weekly shop to about £50 a week.' The mother regularly posts cash-saving tips to her TikTok page, showing her followers how to prepare cheap meals, plan parties, and even go on holiday with a tight budget. The clip, which has since racked up 257,000 views, attracted attention from hundreds of budget shoppers looking for tips and tricks on saving their pennies. One wrote: 'Love the stockpile, will definitely look at the olive oil! Have you considered a cup over sanitary towels? They last for years so saves money and much better for the environment. And you get the benefits you would from tampons ie. swimming etc but without the health risks.' 'It may sound silly but how do you get started with doing this? I need to do this,' a second said. 'I can completely get behind this. I bulk buy essential items like loo roll/fabric softener and detergent from Costco and it saves me so much money every week/month in my usual food/household shops!', a third commented. Others though, were more sceptical about the benefits of Charlene's alternative shopping methods. 'Curious, what is the benefit of stockpiling opposed to buying weekly/monthly? Surely you're just shelling out loads in one go and have to find somewhere to store it. Do you not spend exactly the same,' one commenter questioned. Answering curious queries, Charlene left one comment explaining that the way she managed to save was by buying in bulk items that were on offer.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The full list of toxic chemicals in your makeup and shampoo ‘that risk breast cancer', revealed by top UK charity
MILLIONS of women could be unknowingly increasing their risk of breast cancer by using everyday toiletries, a charity has warned. Shampoos, face creams and make-up may be harmless on their own, but when layered on the skin they could create harmful chemical combinations. 1 Breast Cancer UK says these so-called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with the body's hormone system. This can contribute to the development of breast cancer, which kills around 11,500 people a year in the UK. A new YouGov poll for the charity found that over a quarter of UK women - around 8.5million - use at least six personal care products daily, exposing themselves to an estimated 168 different chemicals every day. 'Looking at chemicals in isolation can lead to a dangerous underestimation of their risk to public health," Gareth Lloyd-Johnson head of public affairs and policy at Breast Cancer UK said. "Regulations must be re-evaluated to better reflect our real-life exposure – no product can be viewed inside a vacuum.' With breast cancer deaths in the UK set to soar by more than 40 per cent by 2050, the charity is calling on women to ditch their daily routines if they contain these harmful chemicals. "While scientific evidence is mounting, the extent of the threat posed by chemical cocktails is still being uncovered," Dr Hannah Moody, the charity's director of research, said. As part of its Ditch The Junk campaign, Breast Cancer UK has published a list of 'no-go' ingredients - harmful chemicals commonly found in everyday toiletries The list also highlights which products are most likely to contain them, to help women make safer choices. Make-up and nail varnish are believed to contain the highest number hormone disrupting chemicals which mimic the hormone oestrogen and interfere with the body's natural balance. Breast cancer symptoms you should NEVER ignore, with Dr Philippa Kaye According to the charity, many of these products include at least two of the top three EDCs to avoid: parabens, phthalates and synthetic parfums. Phthalates, often used to strengthen plastics, are found in nail varnish, shampoos and hairsprays. When applied to the skin, they can be absorbed into the body and disrupt normal hormonal function — raising the risk of breast cancer. These substances are often listed on ingredients labels as 'parfum' or 'fragrance', as they are commonly added to make scents last longer. Another category to be wary of are face creams and moisturisers, which are likely to contain a high number of parabens. These can penetrate the skin and boost oestrogen production, linked to higher breast cancer risk. While many parabens have been banned due to their hormone-disrupting effects, other endocrine disruptors still lurk in everyday beauty products, warns the charity. Breast Cancer UK also warns against synthetic fragrances, which commonly contain musk ketone, benzyl salicylate, and diethyl phthalate - chemicals known to harm the female reproductive system and increase breast cancer risk. To reduce exposure, the charity urges women to simplify their beauty routines and choose fragrance-free products whenever possible. Check your breasts Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, making up a sixth of all cases. Three in four women survive at least 10 years after diagnosis - a rate that has doubled over the past 50 years thanks to better screening and awareness. Women are urged to check their breasts regularly for signs such as lumps or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, changes in skin texture, size or shape, nipple discharge (especially with blood), nipple changes, or ongoing pain. These symptoms aren't always cancer, but anyone noticing them should see their GP to be safe.
