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

[suerover]

I needed a very specific sized little box to hold some meds in the bathroom cupboard. I couldn't find anything that would fit, but the bottom of a small milk carton was the perfect size. I cut off just what I needed, rinsed it out well and then wrapped it in duct tape to add a little handle. Goes in and out without a struggle.

[Lynnmor]

JiminDenver wrote:
I can't get the filters for my Melita cone coffee maker so I took the basket off of the drip coffee maker at home. It fits fine on top of enameled coffee pot and I can get the filters easy.

If you go to the Melitta (with 2 T's) web site they show cone filters.

[100ton]

Error... carry on.

[JiminDenver]

I can't get the filters for my Melita cone coffee maker so I took the basket off of the drip coffee maker at home. It fits fine on top of enameled coffee pot and I can get the filters easy.

[GizmosMom]

Somebody needs to buy something and post about it here!!!

[Winged_One]

RedRocket204 wrote:

Winged One wrote:
Had a bird that decided their was another bird in our rear window and kept fighting with it...

Gonna have to go with screen name irony 😉

:B

[RedRocket204]

Winged One wrote:
Had a bird that decided their was another bird in our rear window and kept fighting with it...

Gonna have to go with screen name irony 😉

[Winged_One]

Had a bird that decided their was another bird in our rear window and kept fighting with it (its own reflection). I tried using towels on the ladder to discourage him as he kept going between the window and the ladder. Helped a little.

Went up north for 4 days and hoped the time away with the 5th would get the bird to think about other things. Came back, parked the 5th and he was right back.

DW got out some wide gold shiney ribbon and tied some pieces to the ladder. THAT WORKED. No more bird and no damage from the ribbon.

[zuplenty]

I use micro clothes that come in a package of 6 from Solutions online. They are amazing. Great for kitchen use, just wet the with water, wiping down appliances, cleaning windows with just water, wiping down the shower, dusting, or cleaning just about anything. All you do is when they get dirty, wash them with laundry detergent or dish soap, rinse well let dry. They last forever! I have a package of them that I bought last yr and they are still in amazing shape and work just as good as the day I bought them. One thing, don't use any softener with them. This will make them lose there amazing ability to absorb.

[Tvov]

I don't remember seeing this link here. A bunch of these are already scattered around on this thread, but a lot of neat things to do for camping;

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/camping-hacks-that-are-borderline-genius

[CincyGus]

Nice!

[Handbasket]

Got an old 12V drill with batteries that won't recharge? I did. I took a battery partly apart, and removed two of the plug strips, and soldered them to the ends of a piece of zip cord. A little experimentation with polarity, followed by pouring some epoxy into the cavity where the battery used to reside, and ding! A 12V drill that works anywhere I can taker a vehicle.

Obviously not just an RV gizmo. This was volunteer work building a log bench on a greenway overlooking a local creek. ~16" thru dry locust wood for a rebar pin, no issues with heat either in the drill or cord.
I may have to look on Craigslist for other 12V tools with dead batteries... 😎

Jim, "I'm so busy, I don't know whether I found a rope, or lost my horse!"

[Bucky2]

PGR_Skye wrote:
Was reading through my Carrots Love Tomatoes book for companion planting for my garden and it states that mint is a great mouse repellent. Am getting ready to try it in the basement of our motorhome because the mice have decided that they sort of like it there. Just bought 3 mint plants a day or two before I read this and might have to buy a couple more and rooting those for more and more plants. I'll see what works best - leaves, an infusion sprayed around it or ?.

Let us know how that works out for 'ya.

[tomman58]

Oh yeah, we use it for Mojitos mostly, bring on the rum and stuff. Happy summer nights!

[tomman58]

alliemac9 wrote:
Thanks for the tip on mint! We recently had a mouse issue in the house, so it's good to have another trick up my sleeve. And I wonder if mint is invasive in CO conditions? I would LOVE to have something to invade the natural areas of my property...currently, the things that are taking over are all sharp (yucca) or have thorns (thistle, etc.). Mint sounds like a great invasive from my perspective - soft and useful if needed!

Northern Michigan is every bit as hard in the winter and we have it by the basket full!