Author Topic: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?  (Read 6035 times)

EconDiva

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Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« on: August 31, 2017, 03:09:27 PM »
I have 2 shoeboxes worth of them O.O

Well, some of the items are samples from random places like from in the mail or promotional offers while in a store, etc.  Many of these items I got while traveling for work.  It's mostly shampoo, soaps, toothbrushes, some showercaps, q-tips, etc. etc. 

I am decluttering right now and was HIGHLY tempted to get rid of these 2 boxes but whenever I do travel I find myself scrounging through them to load my toiletries bag up with items needed for travel. 

Optimiser

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2017, 03:12:10 PM »
I'm tempted to save them, but I resist because I don't want to deal with storing them.

ketchup

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2017, 03:16:04 PM »
I take all the toilet paper, nothing else.

Clean Shaven

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2017, 03:20:02 PM »
I take all the toilet paper, nothing else.

I just take the towels.


j/k



I take with the unused shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars.  They become my travel/ camping supplies.

lentil

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2017, 03:21:41 PM »
Homeless shelters (and other service providers) are often seeking toiletry items. Just in case you decide to continue decluttering ;-)

PlainsWalker

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2017, 03:23:52 PM »
If you're getting rid of them consider trying to find a charity that want them. Places that provide folks with a place to stay for the night are usually more than happy to put them to good use.
I've been running an AirBnb. So I've actually been buying such things by the case to have in the room for guests. I just don't store the cases in the apartment because some folks will help themselves to all of the consumables. I get it if you've used some of the shampoo and conditioner taking those home but, why do people feel entitled to the spare toilet paper rolls?

EconDiva

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2017, 03:31:02 PM »
Why did I never think to take the toilet tissue???


On a more serious note:

Homeless shelters (and other service providers) are often seeking toiletry items. Just in case you decide to continue decluttering ;-)

^^Thank you, I did think about this.  I don't need all of these partially used items so maybe I'll take one of the boxes to a shelter or somewhere similar.  I wonder if hotels do the same with the items that are left...?

EconDiva

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2017, 03:32:54 PM »
If you're getting rid of them consider trying to find a charity that want them. Places that provide folks with a place to stay for the night are usually more than happy to put them to good use.
I've been running an AirBnb. So I've actually been buying such things by the case to have in the room for guests. I just don't store the cases in the apartment because some folks will help themselves to all of the consumables. I get it if you've used some of the shampoo and conditioner taking those home but, why do people feel entitled to the spare toilet paper rolls?

To clarify, I'm speaking of stuff that you've used.

And I totally get you not putting everything out as I wouldn't do that either. 

4alpacas

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2017, 03:44:56 PM »
If you're getting rid of them consider trying to find a charity that want them. Places that provide folks with a place to stay for the night are usually more than happy to put them to good use.
I've been running an AirBnb. So I've actually been buying such things by the case to have in the room for guests. I just don't store the cases in the apartment because some folks will help themselves to all of the consumables. I get it if you've used some of the shampoo and conditioner taking those home but, why do people feel entitled to the spare toilet paper rolls?

To clarify, I'm speaking of stuff that you've used.

And I totally get you not putting everything out as I wouldn't do that either.
I got into the habit of taking partially used toiletries home from work trips, and I had a huge stash.  I've been going through the soap (using at home, gym, and on travel).  However, the half-empty shampoo and conditioner bottles were collecting until last weekend when I emptied them all into the large shampoo and conditioner containers in my shower.  I've probably added about a month of clean hair for our household.  :) 

I did keep the best bottles (refillable) for my gym bag, which also will be used when I travel. 

JoJo

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2017, 04:59:52 PM »
Unused stuff is also good for battered women charities.

Used stuff - I just use.  I haven't bought soap in a couple years as I was traveling for work.  But I haven't traveled in over a year so I'm almost out :(

Mini shampoos I take on vacation and then toss as they are emptied.

BlueMR2

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2017, 05:03:04 PM »
Not really save...  If I opened it and there's some left, yeah, I take it home since they'd definitely have to throw it away.  I then use it at home until it's gone, which is usually only a couple days...

affordablehousing

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2017, 05:15:15 PM »
If there isn't a homeless shelter nearby, you can also leave a box of supplies with a note at places like public parks, town squares, other places where people might congregate that would be wishing to clean up a bit. For the truly brave, you can also just mix a bunch of little bottles together to refill your main shampoo and conditioner bottles. It all comes from Sysco anyways ;)

sparkytheop

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2017, 07:00:27 PM »
A drawer full of hotel soaps is what actually sparked my interest in travel, so I continue the "tradition" of taking them home.  (My grandparents traveled a lot, and would take the bars of soap home.  When we would visit them, they would let us pick a bar out of the drawer and take it home with us.  It wasn't until a couple years ago that I traced my "need" to travel to that drawer and the excitement it gave me.  Weird how it's the random things that really form your life...)

Anyway.  I always take them home.  I use them if we stay at a non-hotel place (like an airbnb room, or rent an apartment, etc).  I used to take them camping, but haven't done that in a while.  They are also good for showers at work, never know when I'm going to get coated in oil or sewage.)

The St Vincent de Paul here recently asked for donations of the sample sized soap/shampoo/conditioner/lotions for people who come in for free meals.  There are probably a lot of places that will take them, although I'm not sure they will if the packages are opened and partially used.

Saving in Austin

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2017, 09:18:47 PM »
I have been saving them for a few years.

I just packed them up and I'm sending them all to Houston.

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2017, 04:54:06 AM »
I end up with a lot of these courtesy of husband's business/first-class long haul flights and luxury hotels for work.

I keep anything we will use: razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste.

The hand cream goes to work with me.

The shaving cream, airline PJs (Qantas pyjamas are a big thing here), eye masks, socks, etc, go to whichever friend wants or needs them.

The shampoo, conditioner, body wash and bar soap go to a charity which accepts miniatures for the homeless.

The brushes, combs and fragrance go to The Beauty Bank, a Sydney based charity which collects unused toiletries for women escaping domestic violence.

I've developed a easy come, easy go attitude with these things. As long as they are being used and not going to landfill, I'm happy.

Poundwise

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #15 on: September 01, 2017, 05:50:17 AM »
When my church participates in supplies distribution to the homeless, the travel size toiletries are always first to go! Faster than clothes or bagged food.  Many people are still working, looking for work, or simply don't want to look like a homeless person, and full size toiletries are heavy and expensive.

That said, half-used shampoos that you can't give away and that you don't want to use on your head... are great for scrubbing off soap scum in the bath or shower, or cleaning the sink.

Laura33

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #16 on: September 01, 2017, 07:43:06 AM »
I developed a decent-sized stash of both used and unused toiletries.  Then we installed a shower in my office at work, and I took my couple of gallon Ziplocs and a basket, set up the unused ones in there for folks to use, and put the used ones in my locker.

lizzzi

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #17 on: September 01, 2017, 08:00:54 AM »
If I like the toiletries, I take them home and keep them in a basket to be used for travel or for guests who may need something, but I don't usually travel high-end, so have not accumulated much. My favorite items to bring home are the shower caps--I like to use them for travel and just dispose of them after the shower.

Raenia

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #18 on: September 01, 2017, 08:02:50 AM »
I collect them and give the nicest ones to guests visiting my place, the ones I've opened I use for travel, and when the pile gets big enough I'll find a place to donate the extras locally.

frugaliknowit

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2017, 12:35:51 PM »
Only when they are of the quality I would use, which is almost never...

martyconlonontherun

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2017, 01:31:19 PM »
I save the extra ones that I know wont leak in my gym bag.

My old work (large corporation, local office) did a charity drive where they asked all the business travelers to ask for extra unused toiletries to bring back to donate. I thought it was pretty misguided. There is a difference between taking left over items they can't reuse and donating them but to me they were doing the equivalent of me emptying out the Company's coffee supplies and donating them because you know "they give them out free to customers." /end rant.

Capsu78

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #21 on: September 01, 2017, 02:15:00 PM »
I started traveling for Mega corp in 1994 and got hooked on bringing home soaps.  When my wife started traveling international we continued the habit and the quality of the soap went up as she was being put up in upper business class hotels.   
3 years ago I donated about half my collection to my daughters school women's shelter drive.  I told my wife I believe we may never need to buy another bar of soap in our lives!

dreams_and_discoveries

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #22 on: September 02, 2017, 04:43:00 AM »
Similar to others, yes if they are good stuff from a business hotel.

No if they from a hotel I paid for myself!

the_fixer

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #23 on: September 02, 2017, 06:40:55 AM »
I traveled a bunch for work and stayed at nice hotels and I would take the little unused shampoo, conditioner, lotion and hand soap. I put them in the guest bathroom and set them out so when someone was staying with us they would have a fresh set of fancy items that had not been used.

Now when I travel I go to places that have crappy run down motels so I no longer do that and just this week realized that we are just about out after 3 years. 

jane8

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #24 on: September 03, 2017, 07:32:02 PM »
Frequent business traveler who takes the soaps/shampoos. About every six months I donate them to a nearby homeless shelter.

I lived in a homeless shelter for a month (long story) and toiletries were very needed and the travel sizes are easier for the shelters to hand out rather than deal with a dividing up a large package. (background: It was a faith based live-in shelter with a few different tracks for both the underemployed and those needing deeper life skills training). I am a woman for reference -- so only can speak to the womens provisions. Large bars of soap were cut into personal sizes as it was easier for one person to track, some people don't stay long, etc etc.


I'm a red panda

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #25 on: September 03, 2017, 10:44:44 PM »
I stock my guest bathroom with the fancy name brand ones. Or use them myself. Some of the toiletries are amazing but I'm not buying loccitane or Bulgari on my own.

 My office collects them to donate to a shelter, so the rest go there.


happy

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #26 on: September 04, 2017, 02:36:07 AM »
I only sequester what I will use, which is generally shower caps, soap, good quality moisturiser/body lotion.  Sometimes I will use the shampoo/conditioner whilst I'm staying, but rarely take this home since with repeated use of perfumed products I get an itchy scalp.

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #27 on: September 04, 2017, 03:19:55 AM »
I only sequester what I will use, which is generally shower caps, soap, good quality moisturiser/body lotion.  Sometimes I will use the shampoo/conditioner whilst I'm staying, but rarely take this home since with repeated use of perfumed products I get an itchy scalp.

I'd forgotten about shower caps but yes, I keep a few of those handy too for when we're travelling and staying with friends, or for when I have guests who might need one.

AccidentalMiser

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Re: Does anyone else save hotel samples/toiletries...?
« Reply #28 on: September 04, 2017, 09:01:18 AM »
I have been saving them for a few years.

I just packed them up and I'm sending them all to Houston.

You're my hero!

 

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