Can you take aerosols on a plane?

Wondering if you can bring aerosols on a plane, or if you can bring deodorant on a plane? Well, it depends. It’s easy to get confused with all the different rules around what you can and can’t pack in your carry on and checked baggage. So I’m here to help explain if you can take aerosols, deodorant, or hairspray on a plane.

Note: This post is written referencing TSA rules for travel from airports in the USA. Some countries may have different rules, so if you’re flying from an airport in another country, please look up the rules for the authority in that country.

Can you take aerosols in hand luggage?

You might use an aerosol form of deodorant, hairspray, shaving cream, hair mousse, perfume, sunscreen, or any number of other toiletries. And since an aerosol can contains liquid, it must comply with the TSA liquids rules if you’re going to fly with aerosols.

As a reminder, the TSA liquids rule states that all liquids in your carry on baggage must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller. A larger container that’s almost empty is still not allowed.

And all liquids containers must fit into one clear quart-sized (roughly liter-sized) zip top bag. Each passenger is allowed to have only one liquids bag in their carry on luggage.

Other items that are also aerosols include spray cheese and whipped cream. If you really feel like you need to travel with these, you’ll need to find a can that’s 3.4 ounces or smaller.

Read more about taking food on a plane here.

So in general, TSA does allow aerosols in carry on luggage, but the containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller and fit into your liquids bag. Keep reading though because there are some exceptions.

Aerosol insecticides are not permitted in cabin bags no matter what size the containers are. TSA says they are allowed in checked bags as long as they are not labeled as hazardous material (HAZMAT), but check with your airline before traveling with this kind of thing.

Aerosols that contain flammable liquids or gels are not allowed in carry on or checked luggage. Examples of these types of aerosols include things like spray paint, WD40, cooking spray, laundry starch, canned air, etc.

If you’ll need any of these things, buy them once you reach your destination.

TSA also says that dry shampoo, which comes in an aerosol can, is allowed in carry on luggage but only if the container is 3.4 ounces or smaller. I find this strange since the contents of the can are not liquid, but I don’t make the rules. So if you like traveling with dry shampoo, make sure the can is small enough if you want to pack it in carry on luggage.

>>Read: Can you take hair straighteners, hair dryers, and curling irons on a plane?

Can you take aerosols in checked baggage?

You might want to consider packing aerosols in checked baggage if you can’t find your favorite product in a travel size. And you’ll be happy to learn that aerosols are allowed in checked bags.

But it’s not quite as simple as that. If you’re traveling with large quantities of aerosol products, you need to know the limits that apply to aerosols in hold luggage.

So if you use a lot of products that come in aerosol cans, you might want to consider finding alternatives. Check out these amazing solid toiletries for travel.

Another important part of bringing aerosols in checked baggage is how you pack it. Make sure the aerosol can has a cap and can’t accidentally start spraying.

It’s also a good idea to pack the can inside some kind of bag in case it leaks at all. You probably don’t want spray deodorant or hairspray all over your clothes.

>>Read: Can you bring makeup on a plane?

Can you take hairspray on a plane?

You want to look good in all your travel photos, and maybe for you that means traveling with hairspray. Well, hairspray is a liquid, and TSA will treat it just like any other liquid.

Any hairspray you bring on a plane in carry on baggage must be in 3.4 ounce containers or smaller, and it must fit in your liquids bag.

If you’re traveling with a larger bottle of hairspray, pack it in checked luggage, and make sure the container is 18 ounces (16 fluid ounces) or smaller.

And remember that the total amount of all aerosols, including hairspray, that you can pack in checked bags can’t exceed 70 ounces (68 fluid ounces).

>>Read: Can you bring hairspray on a plane?

Can you bring deodorant on a plane?

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Those TSA liquids rules have really screwed up travel, haven’t they? Now they have us asking, is deodorant a liquid? Unfortunately the answer is, it depends on the type of deodorant you use.

Spray deodorants and aerosol deodorants are considered liquids, which means they must abide by the TSA liquids rules for carry on luggage and the airplane aerosol limits for checked luggage.

Roll on deodorant can get a little more confusing. If you use solid deodorant, that is not a liquid, and you can pack it wherever you want.

I suggest not packing it in your liquids bag since it’ll take up so much precious space you’ll want to use for things like toothpaste.

But some roll on deodorants are liquids. Do you use the kind where small amounts of gel squeeze up through slots on the top? Gel is considered a liquid, so you can only bring it on a plane in carry on baggage if it’s 3.4 ounces or smaller and fits in your liquids bag.

Any other kind of deodorant that uses liquid to do its thing, instead of a solid, will be counted as a liquid.

If you use aerosol or some other kind of gel or liquid deodorant, I suggest switching to a solid type, at least for travel purposes. This will make packing for a trip much easier.

Can you bring pepper spray on a plane?

Pepper spray, mace, and other types of self defense spray are not permitted in carry on baggage at all no matter what size the container is. Even though you’re probably bringing it for your own safety reasons, security views these sprays as potential weapons.

You are allowed to pack pepper spray or other self defense sprays in checked baggage, but there are restrictions.

You are only allowed one 4 ounce (118 ml) container of pepper spray or mace in checked luggage, and it must be equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge.

Also, any self defense spray containing more than 2 percent by mass of tear gas (CS or CN) is prohibited from checked baggage. You should also check with your airline before flying with pepper spray because airlines could have stricter rules and not allow defense sprays at all.

Note: Pepper spray is considered a weapon in many countries. If you are flying outside of the USA, please research the rules of the country you’re visiting so you don’t wind up getting fined or worse.

Can you take bear spray on a plane?

Going camping? Unfortunately bear spray is not permitted at all in either carry on or checked baggage. But you can probably buy some once you arrive at your destination if it’s something you really feel like you need.

I hope this answers all your questions about taking aerosols on planes, including deodorant, hairspray, and more!