By Gail Marsh
Why didn’t I think of that?! You’ve probably heard about “life hacks.” Life hacks are simple tips for accomplishing common tasks in a way that’s easier or more efficient. Life hacks for RVers are little tricks that can make RVing easier. Here are a few of my favorites:
• Ice cold water. Many water bottles have such a small opening that it can be difficult to insert ice cubes into them. You can be ready for your next hike with this life hack. Fill your water bottle about one-third full of water and secure the lid. Place the bottle in the RV freezer on its side. Once frozen, you can easily add water to the bottle of ice.
• Carry it. If you struggle to bring several grocery bags into your RV or don’t like making several trips back and forth to unload groceries, this hack is for you. Use a carabiner to clip several bag handles together. That way, you can carry multiple bags at once without straining your hand. Or, if you want something with a more comfortable grip, they make bag hooks specifically for this hack.
• Easy fire starter. Save the lint from your RV’s clothes dryer. Fill an empty bath tissue tube with the lint and you’ll have a great campfire starter!
• A coffee nap? You read that right. Some folks swear by this life hack for RVers. If you begin to feel tired when driving your rig, stop. Have a cup of coffee (or other caffeinated drink) and then take a 15-20 minute nap. The caffeine will kick in right about the time you wake up and you should be refreshed and ready to roll once more. (Caution: Never drive your RV or any vehicle when drowsy. Trade off driving with your travel partner instead.)
• Cold ones. Forgot to replenish the beer/soda in your RV’s fridge or cooler? No worries. This life hack will put a cold one into your hands in no time. Just put the can(s) into a container and cover the can(s) with ice. Fill the container with cold water and add a half cup of salt. Stir to dissolve the salt. Within ten minutes, you’ll enjoy a refreshing, cold drink.
• Fix that scuff. If you find a scratch or scuff mark on your RV cabinets, rub over the mark with a walnut. The nut oil will help the mark disappear.
• Fast charge. If you need to charge your cell phone in a hurry, activate airplane mode. This will help the phone to charge faster.
• Sheet sets. Keep your RV cabinet neatly organized. Store RV sheet sets inside one of the matching pillowcases. This will keep your set neatly together in a compact form.
• Battery hack. Television remote battery dead? In a pinch, you can use a AAA battery to temporarily replace the AA one. Just wad up a piece of aluminum foil and push it into the gap on the negative end of the AAA battery.
• Mirror fog. Prevent your RV’s bath mirror from fogging up when someone showers. Apply car wax to the mirror. Let dry and buff wax away using a soft, dry cloth.
• Clean dusty RV lampshades. When your RV lampshades need cleaning, use a lint roller to gently remove dust and pet hair. This hack works like a charm!
• Light candles. If the wick has burned down in your citronella candle, you can use an uncooked spaghetti noodle to light it. Use a match to light one end of the noodle and lower it into the candle to light the wick. So easy and no more burned fingers.
• Save money on groceries. Before you head off to the grocery store, use your cell phone to take a picture of the interior of your RV refrigerator. That way you won’t buy items that you already have.
• Store more. If you store your T-shirts, shorts, and other clothing vertically (standing up) you’ll fit more inside your RV drawers. Here’s how. Bonus: You can also see and choose what you want to wear without disrupting a pile of clothing.
Can you suggest additional life hacks for RVers? Please do so in the comments below.
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Toothpicks – Put a few toothpicks into that loose screw’s hole to tighten up the gap and give the screw threads something to grab.
2” Pool Noodle – Cut the noodle into 1” thick “donuts” and split one end. Slide to split donut onto the base of your blind to end the clacking noise caused by it contacting the walls when it sways in the breeze.
Oven – Use your oven as a nicely insulated storage box when not in use. Bread, buns, bananas and potatoes store great in there. Just remember to clear it before preheating.
We store bread in our microwave. We usually boondock and only use the microwave when we run the generator.
Save money on groceries. Never shop when you’re hungry. Be sure to have your list and don’t take your wife grocery shopping. Last time I did we ended up with aisle 5 in the cart.