Why frequent traveller always packs a pillowcase in her luggage

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Some people love bringing their creature comforts with them on holiday, to make a foreign hotel room feel more like home.

Maybe it's a favourite tea bag to enjoy in the morning, or a candle to light while having a bath.

One Nine staffer, however, takes things to the next level.

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Last month during a discussion about hotel pillow preferences, Carina revealed that she packs a pillow case when travelling.

"I always take my own pillow case when I stay in hotels," she said.

Though housekeeping no doubt does a thorough job stripping and remaking the beds between guests, some people need an extra guarantee.

"I need to know that no one else's head has touched it before I sleep," she said.

It's an easy thing to add to your suitcase - just roll it up and tuck it in between clothes, and it barely takes up any room.

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I have also travelled with my own satin pillowcase in the past, too. I find that sleeping on satin makes my hair sleeker and less prone to breakage - and there aren't many hotels out there with their own satin bed linen.

Some travellers have also used a pillowcase to help 'smuggle' extra clothes on board when facing tight carry-on luggage restrictions.

Simply fill your empty pillowcase with soft clothes like jumpers or puffer jackets that you can't fit in your bag, zip or button it up, and you're good to go.

Some airlines are strict about what counts as a carry-on, though, so just double check that pillows aren't counted as extra items.

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Even if you don't fill your pillowcase with clothes, it can be handy to have on the plane. You can use it to cover the airline pillow (who knows how clean those are?!), or stuff a jumper inside it to make your own pillow.

Another great use for an empty pillow case, at the end of your hotel stay, is to store all your dirty laundry inside your suitcase.

Similarly, Ziploc bags are a handy thing to have on hand while travelling, which also take up next to zero space in your suitcase.

They have so many uses: storing leaky toiletries, organising chargers, bagging snacks, storing smelly or wet laundry... the list goes on.

Drop us an email with all your wisdom to travel@nine.com.au, and your tip could be featured in an upcoming story on 9Travel.