tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post4920292751454937291..comments2023-07-21T03:00:15.795-07:00Comments on Jeri’s Organizing & Decluttering News: Saying No to Free Hotel ToiletriesJeri Danskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647833266269245240noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-84847575370984119102011-07-28T07:35:23.239-07:002011-07-28T07:35:23.239-07:00I'm in the use what I need and leave the rest ...I'm in the use what I need and leave the rest camp. I'll open the small hand soap at the sink and use it in the shower, too. <br /><br />My husband travels often for business and always takes everything, brings it home and dumps it on the bed for me to deal with. It drives me nuts. I always end up putting it in a bag with food donations at Thanksgiving.Nancy Ghttp://www.justtherightthings.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-87321635653405729822011-07-27T10:51:06.071-07:002011-07-27T10:51:06.071-07:00Thanks, Jeri! I hadn't yet clicked on the link...Thanks, Jeri! I hadn't yet clicked on the link. Now I have to go investigate my cleaning supplies!Cynthia Friedlobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12678323220024869277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-59134563422668484492011-07-27T02:07:57.872-07:002011-07-27T02:07:57.872-07:00Cynthia, that Real Simple article I linked to also...Cynthia, that Real Simple article I linked to also has information on how long you can keep perfume, some cleaning supplies, and some plant food.<br /><br />And yes, I agree: "It's free" is not, in and of itself, a good reason to acquire anything. "It's free and I can —and will — really use it (or donate it)" is a whole different story.Jeri Danskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647833266269245240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-7450682319384301702011-07-27T01:56:52.278-07:002011-07-27T01:56:52.278-07:00Marcie, someone else replied by email, telling me ...Marcie, someone else replied by email, telling me the story of a hotel that, to his dismay, replaced his perfectly fine soap bar after a single use. He had stayed at other hotels that did NOT do this, so it surprised him.<br /><br />So hotel policies differ, and you may not always need to hide the opened bottles!Jeri Danskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647833266269245240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-9832509009934289082011-07-27T01:52:39.802-07:002011-07-27T01:52:39.802-07:00Wow - thanks for all the thoughtful comments!
I g...Wow - thanks for all the thoughtful comments!<br /><br />I got a few emails from people who also said they collect these toiletries specifically to give as donations. One person said, "Our churches offer showers for the homeless — they make up little packs to give to folks who need them — and I donate mine there." <br /><br />Another person wrote to say she collects them when she travels, but "it never makes it into my own cabinets. I drop it directly at the local women's shelter."<br /><br />And yet another person collects the toiletries and gives them to a local charity that provides food and other essentials to the needy.<br /><br />I didn't want to encourage people to take the toiletries for donation purposes, because for too many people that donation step would never happen; it would be one more burdensome thing to do that just never got done. No one should feel obligated to take the toiletries and deliver them to an appropriate charity.<br /><br />But for those who do take the toiletries and donate them: Bravo!Jeri Danskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647833266269245240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-54113811408561147892011-07-26T23:44:50.333-07:002011-07-26T23:44:50.333-07:00I've surely taken, then tossed, more than my f...I've surely taken, then tossed, more than my fair share of hotel mini-swag, but this post is making me think of other items that also go bad while we neglect using them. I know you've addressed cosmetics, but perfume also doesn't last forever, nor does shoe polish, nor individually-wrapped anything!<br /><br />And what about household items like cleaning supplies or garden supplies? There must be a "toss by" date that's appropriate for that stuff, too. I have some plant food that's so old I fear it might kill a houseplant!<br /><br />Seems like the conclusions are always the same: free is never "free" and use is the all-important factor when deciding whether or not something should stay (or come home with you in your suitcase)!Cynthia Friedlobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12678323220024869277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-7932307362950887012011-07-26T13:13:11.902-07:002011-07-26T13:13:11.902-07:00Before flying became so traumatic and weight limit...Before flying became so traumatic and weight limits yielded so much extra expense, I'll admit I always took free hotel toiletries. It was easy to collect and donate the ones I didn't absolutely love and use to my area domestic violence shelters, as I was already visiting to make regular donations on my clients' behalf. Nowadays, I only take the toiletries if I'm road-tripping (and thus, not dealing with the airline fuss) or if a product is truly luxurious or unusual. <br /><br />I always take the shower caps, however, as they serve so many useful purposes.Julie Bestryhttp://www.juliebestry.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-9300866283754545522011-07-26T10:11:55.699-07:002011-07-26T10:11:55.699-07:00You nailed me on this one. I loved to bring the c...You nailed me on this one. I loved to bring the cute ones home, planning to put them out for overnight guests. But our house was usually too messy to have anyone except my sons' friends for sleepovers. When we moved, I dumped the bottles in a container, which I recently opened. Most were gunky and not suitable for us or guests. Now when I'm feeling the urge to take something other than scented bar soap or those great shower caps, I think of that container and can control myself.<br /><br />A friend participated in a project where items were mailed to military personnel in war zones. They were collecting these to include in each package. Interesting idea.Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-11208896468459326332011-07-26T09:16:23.129-07:002011-07-26T09:16:23.129-07:00Not only are they free, but they're so stinkin...Not only are they free, but they're so stinkin' cute! It's hard for a lot of people to admit that they'll never use all those tiny bottles, but I also encourage donating them to someone who will benefit from them.<br /><br />Once I realized that the opened toiletries were tossed by the cleaning staff, even when you stayed more than one night, I started "hiding" them so I could use them again and leave the unopened ones behind. My (very) small contribution to saving the planet.Marcie Lovetthttp://www.organizedbymarcie.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-21330861677278098892011-07-26T08:50:22.089-07:002011-07-26T08:50:22.089-07:00There are many charities that collect these in my ...There are many charities that collect these in my area. Women's shelters, for instance. Don't let them pile up at home . . . Share them!klyohohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05123291360329082539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-28807631339776191652011-07-26T08:25:12.254-07:002011-07-26T08:25:12.254-07:00How amusingly synchronistic this post is! I was li...How amusingly synchronistic this post is! I was literally thinking about this topic this morning as I glanced into my friend's open bathroom cabinet and saw an abundance (and then some) of free toiletries. The thought crossed my mind about saying something to him about taking only what one needs. Instead, I shall forward this post to him. As always, you're spot on, dear. Thanks.Claire Josefinehttp://www.clairejosefine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-75588011168699249602011-07-26T08:05:32.102-07:002011-07-26T08:05:32.102-07:00I take what I know I will use. I use the soap at m...I take what I know I will use. I use the soap at my vanity sink for washing hands. I often use the shampoos for spot treating clothes before washing. I even use the shower caps multiple times. I make a point not to let all those little bottles accumulate in my home. Use it up!Candynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4238401484560614586.post-38294505009351606242011-07-26T06:11:55.261-07:002011-07-26T06:11:55.261-07:00I frequently take them, but not always. If they a...I frequently take them, but not always. If they are something I really like, I'll use them in my travel kit, purse (the hand lotion), or home. If not, the office admins have a project going where they collect such things (mostly from the people who travel for work) and then give them to local shelters.<br /><br />Would I take them if I had to pay? For some of the nicer items, maybe. It would depend on how much they would charge.JustGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08948391538309176039noreply@blogger.com