Posted: 7/2/2011 11:14:39 PM EDT
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I travel a lot for my company and my father taught me to load up on the shampoo/soap/mouthwash ect because of the small bottles. Many places i have stayed have small sewing kits, q tips, cottonballs and toothpaste too. I'm kind of new to prepping. Yesterday while loading up on the goodies at the omni in Chicago, it hit me. This stuff is perfect for prepping/BOB's/hard times,etc. Small containers, stores well, and it's free! I'm not going to lie, I was rather proud of myself for tying my everyday repetition filled business life to my newly found (all be it mild by many accounts here) prepping mentality.
Just thought I'd share |
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Saw an interview years ago with Robin Leach (yeah, the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous host) he said he had no need to buy soap or shampoo as he had all kinds form all over the world. He seemed to like the soap because it came in fun, decorative shapes.
He more than likely is not a member here; but this threat brought back that memory. So you are in "good" company. |
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Quoted:
I always grab the shampoo, soap, lotion, and coffee. I have a huge bin of it. I joke with the wife all the time "Honey, you'll love me when 3 weeks in to a SHTF, I pull out this cheap shampoo for you". Excellent post, OP! Even if you don't use them, keep them for barter. As one poster said, when you get too much and they get too old, donate to the local mission/church/etc.. I don't know shelf life, but I used some stuff from about 4 years ago and it was fine. They can also be emptied, washed and used to store your favorites. Most are less than 3 oz, so they will go through TSA with no issues. You can keep other things in there as well. Machinegunner's lube, mechanic soap, honey or maple syrup (ultra-light camping staple), etc.. Dirty Bachelor Trick #453: Most Arfcomers keep toiletries like Lava soap and CLP by sinkside. So, for those who are single, even if you refuse to use "unmanly" soaps and shampoos, a (visible) basket of the choice stuff in the bathroom is very appealing to (confirmed OR potential) overnight guests of the fairer sex. 
Clean Married Man Trick #8321: Besides protection, water, grub and a roof, keeping the missus happy is a top survival concern. Packing some of the nicer shampoos on trips will score massive brownie points when the hotel you're currently staying at only has Prell. Despite the 200lb suitcase, she will probably forget something like sunscreen or conditioner. Or she may fall prey to the 3oz TSA rule and get her stuff taken. Magically producing Crabtree and Evelyn shampoo, soap and conditioner will soften the next "Not another gun, baby!!!" discussion. If the hotel/resort has something particularly nice or the product is a favorite, I will nicely ask the cleaning lady for a few extras and leave her a fiver or some beers to take home. When you consider the cost of that nicer stuff l @ retail prices, it is a good deal. And yes, at hotels you pay through the nose for every drop, and even those you never use. |
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Arfcom hotel manager checking in. I manage a major brand hotel and have no problem with people taking the toiletries with them out of the room.
I would just encourage people not to be jerks by stealing every last soap and shampoo off of the maid carts. It isn't even the money as much as the invonvenience that it can create for the housekeepers. I just checked my last supply order and it looks like the two soaps, shampoo, and conditioner provided in the room costs the hotel a whopping $0.52 Trust me, these things are paid for in the room rate. It is cool to hear that some of you are donating these items to shelters, etc. Here at the hotel, we have donated whole cases of toiletries to charities that put together care packages for troops deployed overseas. Too bad no one that I have ever seen is frugal enough to take their opened toiletries home with them. 
We throw away a ton of soap and shampoo every day that was used just once. Take the opened stuff home with you too and you are my hero. 
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Quoted:
Might as well grab it, it gets tossed after check out. We find the stuff all the time on transients and homeless who dumpster dive it out of hotel dumpsters. It only gets tossed if it was opened or used but you are still free to take it anyway so go ahead. |
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Quoted:
Arfcom hotel manager checking in. I manage a major brand hotel and have no problem with people taking the toiletries with them out of the room. I would just encourage people not to be jerks by stealing every last soap and shampoo off of the maid carts. It isn't even the money as much as the invonvenience that it can create for the housekeepers. I just checked my last supply order and it looks like the two soaps, shampoo, and conditioner provided in the room costs the hotel a whopping $0.52 Trust me, these things are paid for in the room rate. It is cool to hear that some of you are donating these items to shelters, etc. Here at the hotel, we have donated whole cases of toiletries to charities that put together care packages for troops deployed overseas. Too bad no one that I have ever seen is frugal enough to take their opened toiletries home with them.
We throw away a ton of soap and shampoo every day that was used just once. Take the opened stuff home with you too and you are my hero. good idea. i'll have to stash some baggies in my shaving kit to take home the open soaps |