Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos

[GizmosMom]

Another member suggested a new forum section with new products but it doesn't look like it will be feasible. So I thought I would post this here under General RVing Issues. If enough people post (even if you have mentioned it before in another post) we can keep it near the top?

Do you have a handy hint, a new product or an old product that makes your RVing or Camping much better?

(Sorry, no commercial advertising allowed)

I'll start:

Someone in the Camping Van posted a reference to using a Super-Chamois to wipe down their shower. I have been using an icky old thick sponge and I like the chamois idea so much more.

Now I want to hear what works for you

[horseylady]

Yuk. No I would not use someone else's toothbrush not even my spouse's and I like my own soap. I don't use campground bathrooms so it's not a problem for me. I also do not use used hand towels and no I don't have OCD 🙂

[popeye59]

So why is using someone elses soap disgusting? You get it wet and it suds up and all the stuff on it washes right off. The only part of you that might get "cooties" is on your hands, and I'm sure they've been dirtier and germier before. It's not like you're using someone's toothbrush. Which brings up an interesting thought... Would you use your spouse's toothbrush?

[4u2nv]

ctpres wrote:
Shower Soap. Save those almost useless slivers of bar soap from stick house for camping. If there is anything left just throw away of leave for next camper.

That's disgusting... I'm so glad I use the shower in my own camper. I do not miss the showers at CG's that's for sure. Here's a better tip for you. Use a new bar and buy a soap holder and take it all with you when you leave.

[Roadtech]

"The Griddler" by Cuisinart makes a great electric griddle/grill for camping. It costs $100 and is compact and folds out to a decent size cooking area. You can have one or both sides a griddle or flip over the removeable cooking plates for a grilling surface. So, you can cook pancakes on one side and bacon on the other side. The cooking plates go in the dishwasher. You can also fold it over the food and cook the top and bottom of the food at the same time. We plug our's into the outside electrical outlet and cook steaks, breakfast, etc. outside.

[scootsk]

Please don't leave the soap for me!! LOL!

[ctpres]

Shower Soap. Save those almost useless slivers of bar soap from stick house for camping. If there is anything left just throw away of leave for next camper.

[alliemac9]

We have a rear corner bed and as everyone knows, making the bed w/mattress pad and fitted sheet requires a bit of finesse. The 3" memory foam topper only makes matters worse.

After our first long trip where the corners of our fitted sheet kept popping off up by our heads, I decided two things: First, I needed new deeper sheets as I was repurposing old sheets from who knows when and the fitted sheet wasn't as deep as modern sheets. Second, I decided to use the new fitted sheet as a sort of secondary mattress pad.

I put the mattress pad on, then the fitted sheet, and used the top sheet like making a hospital bed (i.e. tucked it around the sides so we will sleep ON it, not UNDER it. We have a different (extra from the house) top sheet that will be used instead. Now to wash the sheets I only have to strip the "hospital" sheet layer, which is much easier to get on and off, and I can deal with the fitted sheet with the same frequency as the mattress pad - less often.

We love our corner bed, and I think this is going to help us love it even more!

[HappyTrailsRVin]

My favorite one is when top sheet seems to short, sew a piece to bottom of it so it will tuck in. I even do this with my sheets in house. Makes it easier and I use an old top sheet and cut it off and sew to bottom of new ones. With RV beds and some of the hang overs, the top sheets has to tuck under quite a ways.

[Fredzo]

I keep all of my service and warranty info in the alphabetized accordian folders. I have an extra, and now I know what to do with the maps that are all over the MoHo!

[PGR_Skye]

Come on everyone. We've almost hit 2,000 Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products and Gizmos and it would be a shame to let it die now. Heard before, but here it is again - we have an accordian type alphabetic folder that we store maps in as we get them. So you have more than one map under a letter, it still cuts down on search time. I know, really scaping the bottom of the barrel.

[jellenn]

ok, not sure if its posted or not,.. but I use a plastic coffee can lined with a grocery sack, and then put the lid on over the bag hang over. I use it to put small bits of garbage, lids, wrappers, coffee grounds, etc,.. I leave it on my sink top and dont have to worry about my dog getting into it when I leave him in the camper, like when we are sitting outside, and its too hot for him, or if we are eating I put him inside so he doesnt bother people when they eat. It keeps him at least out of that kind of trouble. lol. (I also keep one of these cans 1/3 filled with wadded up paper towels in bed with the kids if they are sick. easier than washing sheets! and has a lid. 😃

[tvman44]

[COLOR=]DW bought a pkg of 4 of those to use when searching for something in the cabinets, one for the 5er and one for the stick house and the 2 younger grandsons get the other two. Those granny's.

PGR_Skye wrote:
The LED light on a headband is great for whenever you have to go out in the dark for any reason and for checking in dark spots - its hands free.

[lowryfarm]

dkingdoe wrote:

Roadtech wrote:
Swivel Sweeper is great for picking up pet hair. It is easy to store, runs off batteries, and much easier to use in an RV than a vacuum cleaner. You can buy them at Bed, Bath, & Beyond or on line.

Does the handle easily come apart for storage? I have a small cabinet that I would use to store this but wasn't sure about the handle?

I know the handle came in pieces but I'm not sure if it will come back apart once it's put together, I've never needed to take it back apart. The bottom does fold flat and turn with the handle so it doesn't take up any more room than a broom and one charge will usually last me for a one week camping trip doing a quick sweep every night. The Swivel Sweeper is not a high powered vacuum but it does do a good job of picking up basic crumbs and sand without having to get out a dust pan and it's easy to dump when full.

[dkingdoe]

Roadtech wrote:
Swivel Sweeper is great for picking up pet hair. It is easy to store, runs off batteries, and much easier to use in an RV than a vacuum cleaner. You can buy them at Bed, Bath, & Beyond or on line.

Does the handle easily come apart for storage? I have a small cabinet that I would use to store this but wasn't sure about the handle?

[PGR_Skye]

The LED light on a headband is great for whenever you have to go out in the dark for any reason and for checking in dark spots - its hands free.