From tennis balls to bras and fishing vests, there’s a long list of obscure items that can help you avoid excess baggage charges and take the headache out of travelling.
And now there’s a new non-negotiable in town: a bandana.
The humble head scarf has come a long way. No longer reserved for fashion and modesty purposes, it has a string of other uses that come in handy on a flight — and it won’t take up too much space in your bag, either.
We’re talking big-time versatility.
It can be used as an eye mask: fold and tie it around your head to block out that clinical plane lighting. As a surface cleaner: wipe down your tray table before the food arrives.
As a container: use it to bundle small items together and say goodbye to stress-rummaging at 32,000 feet. As a DIY face covering: instead of a mask, slip it over your mouth and nose (and try not to be triggered by memories of Covid).
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As a cooling compress: wet it and slip it around your neck to cool down. To identify your bag: tie it around the handle of your luggage and voila, instantly recognisable. Need we say more?
It also serves a purpose after you land.
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On TikTok, we found several creators who say they can’t live without bandanas on the road.
One woman, called Jacey, says she uses a bandana as sun protection for her head and scalp while camping and hiking.
She also uses it to swat mosquitoes, which we all know can be a nuisance on holiday, and – in a pinch – as a bandage or tourniquet.
Another creator, called Bella, has a creative luggage trick. In a video tutorial, she creates a mini bag that attaches to her jeans — a genius hack for when your hand luggage is too big for a budget airline bag sizer.
She starts by threading the top corners of the bandana between two belt loops on her hip. She then ties the bottom left corner to the top right corner (that’s attached to the jeans), repeating on the right-hand side.
This creates a pocket, big enough to slip sunglasses, creams, and other small items you can’t fit in your case.
Others use it to separate jewellery. We found a creator called Daisy who lays her bandana on a flat surface and places her necklaces on the fabric, leaving two inches between each piece.
Then, she simply rolls the bandana up, which keeps each necklace in place.
This one shocked people the most, with many saying they couldn’t believe they hadn’t thought of it before.
And finally, while we’re sure Metro readers will be able to come up with plenty of other bandana uses, a TikToker named Shelby is on hand to show you how you can use one to curl your hair.
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‘One thing about me is that if I’m going on a road trip, I’m doing heatless curls,’ she says.
Shelby then demonstrates how she twirls the bandana and ties it at the front, before securing it on her head like a crown.
She then sections her hair into two and threads each half separately around the bandana as tightly as possible.
By the time she reaches her destination, she says her hair is in curls ‘rather than a rat’s nest.’
*Immediately orders a bandana for next holiday*