7 Must-Have Toiletries That’ll Save Your A** on Deployment

 

🚿 Must-Have Toiletries for Going Underway on Deployment: A Sailor’s Essentials 

Going underway isn’t just about being ready to serve — it’s about staying squared away. From hygiene to morale, the right toiletries can make life on deployment 10x easier, cleaner, and more comfortable. These items personally saved my a** many times.

As a U.S. Navy BM2 who’s been on multiple deployments, here’s my tried-and-true list of essential toiletries every sailor should pack.

🧼 1. Toiletry Bag (Hanging or Compact)

Why you need it:
Ship heads (bathrooms) are small. Counter space? Basically none. A hanging bag with zippered compartments lets you keep everything clean, organized, and ready to go.

🔗 Recommended: Amazon Basics Travel Toiletry Bag | Elviros Hanging Toiletry Bag | HOTOR Travel Toiletry Bag w/Hanging Hook

🪥 2. Toothbrush (Bring a Spare)

Why you need it:
Toothbrushes hit the deck or disappear all the time. Bring one for daily use and a backup just in case. Use a cover or travel case to keep it clean in your rack or locker.

🔗 Recommended: 

-My daily use: Philips Sonicare Battery Toothbrush | Toothbrush Replacement Heads

-My Cheap spares: Bamboo Toothbrushes Medium Bristles 10 Pack

🪒 3. Electric Razor 

Why you need it:
Electric razor is just faster, more efficient, save time and cheaper on the long run.

🔗 Recommended: Braun Electric Razor for Men 

💧 4. Lotion or Moisturizer

Why you need it:
Ship air dries your skin like crazy — especially hands and elbows. Go for something light, fast-absorbing, and unscented.

🔗 Recommended: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion | Jergens Ultra Healing Dry Skin Lotion

🧼5. Shampoo & Body Wash

Why you need it:

YES, I have to say this. Bring shampoo and body wash and bring extras. PLEASE!!!

🩴 6. Shower Shoes (Non-Negotiable)

Why you need it:

NEVER go barefoot in the head. Period. Black rubber flip-flops work best and dry fast.   

 🔗 Recommended: BRONAX Pillow Slippers

🧴 7. Sunscreens

Why you need it:

Depending on where you're at, the reflection from the ocean will burn your skin. For some reason the sun is more dangerous when you're in the middle of the ocean. Put em on to save yourself!

🔗 Recommended: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch

🧠 Pro Tips:

  • Bring Ziplock bags to store your gear between use (especially your razor and toothbrush).

  • Keep a mini-go kit ready with deodorant, wipes, toothbrush, and face towel for fast action during GQ.

  • Label your gear if you're in open berthing — things go missing.

🧳 Final Thoughts

Underway life is about being prepared, squared away, and low maintenance. The right toiletries keep you comfortable, clean, and confident — no matter how long you're out to sea.

💼 Affiliate Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting!

💬 Got More Recommendations?

Drop them in the comments! What’s one thing you always bring when going underway?











Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Amazon lover? Sailors? Going underway? Here's 10 thing you need to get from amazon for deployement!!!

  🚢 10 Essentials Every Sailor Needs for Deployment Underway-Amazon Lover Edition Deployment life can be rough—but with the right gear, you can stay comfortable, prepared, and focused. Whether it’s your first time underway or you're a salty vet, this list covers 10 must-have items every sailor should pack before heading out to sea. As a deployment vet, these are items I personally used myself. These are my recommendation because of the low cost and the quality. 1. 🛌 Memory Foam Mattress Topper Ship racks are not known for luxury. A thin memory foam topper can transform your sleep and help you recover better between watches. It also helps relief that back pain stress. 👉 Recommended :  https://amzn.to/3I0CUYB   2. ❄️ USB Clip-On Fan Berthing gets hot, especially in engineering spaces or during summer deployments. A small, quiet fan clips to your rack and makes a big difference. 👉 Recommended :  https://amzn.to/4l6U5pH   3. 😴 Black-out Mask Whether you're un...
Read more

Don't be that guy going around asking people for snacks, Get your own! Here's my recommendation.

 🍫 Top 10 Snacks Sailors Should Pack for Deployment (That Won’t Get Trashed or Go Stale) Deployment is tough. Long hours, late watches, and limited store access make it even harder if you’re hungry and tired. Whether you're standing watch, hitting the gym, or just need something to fight off boredom — smart snacking matters. As a sailor (and recruiter), I put together the ultimate list of deployment-approved snacks that are durable, compact, and won’t tick off your LPO. These are ship-safe , crew-tested, and affiliate-linked so you can stock up fast. These are some of my favorite snacks to have! 🔥 1. Protein Bars (Built for Bulk and Energy) A protein bar gives you fast, balanced calories. Perfect for gym, watches and when you don't feel like eating galley food. Storage space is limited — in your rack, locker, or working space. Protein bars are small, sealed, and shelf stable. Most good bars last 6–12 months sealed — perfect for the deployment grind when resupply isn’t gua...
Read more