Due to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule that prohibits passengers from bringing some liquids, gels, and aerosols in their carry on, it can be confusing to know if this applies to wet wipes and if you can bring them on a plane.
According to TSA regulations, you can bring wet wipes on a plane, packed in both your carry-on and checked bags, as the 3-1-1 liquids rules does not apply to wet wipes.
This includes baby wipes, Clorox wipes, Lysol wipes, makeup wipes, and all other wipes you want to bring.
The 3-1-1 rule applies worldwide, which means that liquids, gels, and aerosols that exceed 3.4oz/100ml are not allowed in your carry-on.
But, again, this doesn’t apply to wet wipes. So, regardless if you’re flying domestically or internationally, you won’t run into any problems if you pack wet wipes in your carry-on as you pass through airport security.
Airline Regulations
It makes no difference what airline you are flying with, even if they are a major or regional airline.
You can not only bring wet wipes directly on the plane, but you can also use them too, which is just as well considering that wiping down your seat and tray table is always a good idea.
A study showed that MRSA can survive for up to 168 hours on seatback pockets, and E. coli can survive for up to 96 hours on armrests, 72 hours on tray tables, and 48 hours on toilets.
Before you panic, the study also found that not all these germs were transmittable for the entire duration of their lifespans, though on tray tables, E.coli can remain highly transmittable even after 72 hours.
How to Pack Wet Wipes for Travel
Due to wet wipes not falling under the 3-1-1 rule, you are free to pack them however you want.
In other words, there is no need to place the wipes in your quart-sized liquids bag like you would have to do with all your liquids, gels, and aerosols.
This also means that you can bring as many packs of wet wipes that you want.
You Can Also Bring Hand Sanitizer
If you think that hand sanitizer counts as liquid, you would be right.
But since the Covid pandemic, the TSA have made an exception for hand sanitizers.
According to TSA regulations, you are allowed to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces in your carry on bag, and there is no limit if hand sanitizer is packed in your checked bags.
You Can Also Bring Most Disinfectant Sprays
According to TSA regulations, you can also pack disinfectant sprays, just as long as they aren’t flammable, in both your carry on and checked bags.
Keep in mind that the 3-1-1 rule applies, so if you pack them in your carry on, the spray bottle must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
