10 Surprising Carry-On Essentials You Need

If you’re a travel pro, you probably have the art of a well-packed carry-on down pat. There are all the usual essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, and cell phone chargers. But, just for fun, we’d like to pitch a few (potentially) surprising items that you might want to add to the list – many of which won’t even require too much real estate in your suitcase. 

VapoRub

We saw this once in an Amazon review, and our lives have been changed forever. Especially on a long flight, certain… smells… can begin to emanate from various quarters. Whether you’re near the bathroom or someone has some strange-smelling snacks, a small dab of VapoRub just under your nose can make everything disappear. 

A Headphone Splitter

Sometimes, the flight is a nice time to have some “me” time if you’re traveling with a friend or partner. But, what if you’ve been binge-watching Black Doves on Netflix together like Prince William and Princess Catherine? Then, you need a headphone splitter so you can enjoy the next episode together on your laptop or iPad. 

Detergent Sheets

We’ll never take another trip without detergent sheets in our carry-on bag. It’s not a surprising thing to add an extra outfit to your carry-on, but the detergent sheets might be. It’s the only way to extend the life of your current outfit – plus the spare – should the worst thing happen and you don’t see your luggage on the other side. 

Dryer Sheets

The dryer sheets aren’t for the clothes you might want to handwash in the bathroom sink with your detergent sheets. They’re just a small addition to your carry-on to keep everything smell fresh and bright.