The Hidden Power of a Travel-Sized Bottle: Why Toiletry Kits Matter

The Surprising Hero: The Pouch 

At first glance, a small bottle of shampoo or a hotel soap bar might not seem like much. Tucked into a drawer after a business trip or left behind in a hotel room, these travel-sized items are easily forgotten. But in the hands of someone facing homelessness, displacement, or personal crisis, these items become so much more than toiletries; they become tools for dignity, comfort, and confidence. 

For the past 20 years, The Toiletries Project has collected thousands of unused travel-sized hygiene products: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, toothbrushes, from hotels, airlines, businesses, and individuals across Hong Kong and beyond. These are sorted, repacked in toiletry kits, and distributed through over 40 charity partners to those who need them most: women in shelters, refugees, people experiencing homelessness, migrant workers in transition, and others facing hardship. 

More Than Cleanliness; It’s Dignity 

Access to hygiene isn’t just about physical health, though that’s certainly important. Clean hair and a fresh body can make someone feel human again, especially for those who may not have access to a private bathroom or stable housing. A small act like washing your face or brushing your teeth can have an enormous psychological impact, especially when you're trying to rebuild your life or attend a job interview. 

We often hear from our charity partners just how much these simple kits mean to their clients. When new women arrive at shelters, they are often offered a kit straightaway. There’s something about being handed a bag that says, ‘You matter. Someone thought about you.’ 

The Surprising Hero: The Pouch 

Over the years, one of the most unexpected findings has been just how valuable the travel pouch is to recipients. These zippered bags, often sturdy and stylish, are designed for convenience during travel, but for many of our beneficiaries, they become essential storage. 

Street sleepers, for example, don’t have drawers or shelves. Women in shelters may not have a secure place for their belongings. Migrant workers going through transitions often have everything they own in one bag. The travel pouch becomes a private, portable way to keep personal items safe and organised. Some recipients use them for medications, important documents, or small valuables. Others use them as wallets, makeup bags or sewing kits. We never could have imagined that these pouches, often thrown away or left behind, would become one of the most cherished parts of the kits we distribute. 

How You Can Help 

The Toiletries Project is always in need of travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel or soap. But if you also have unused travel pouches, we’d love to have those too. 

Whether you’re an individual with a drawer full of hotel freebies or a business looking to reduce waste and give back, your contribution has more impact than you know.

💛 Every small bottle gives someone a fresh start.  💛 Every pouch gives someone a little bit of privacy, dignity, and security.  💛 Every kit tells someone: you are not forgotten. 

You can find a list of our Official Collection Points here or get in touch to organise a drive at your office, school, or co-working space.