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Family RVing Magazine

Tech & Travel Tips: June 2004

July 1, 2004

Blackout Shades

Blackout shadesWhen the blackout window shades in our motorhome do not keep out the light from lampposts we inevitably park next to at RV parks, I have an inexpensive, simple-to-use, and easy-to-store solution that is extremely effective.

Buy enough black felt to cover all of your windows, allowing an extra 2 to 3 inches on the sides and about 6 extra inches in length. If your coach has padded window valances, use T-pins or hat pins and attach the felt directly to the valance. (The pins can remain in the valance when not in use and are barely noticeable.) Tuck the sides of the felt behind the side valances. If your motorhome has wooden valances, or no valances at all, sew a piece of hook-and-loop fastening material (hook side) to the felt and attach the loop side to the wood or wall.

These covers fold up and will fit in small spaces for storage. I keep mine under the pillows. If you have ceiling vents that allow unwanted light in at night, use smaller pieces of felt with hook-and-loop fasteners to cover them.

Dee Pope
Henderson, Nevada


Ice Cube Alert

Before leaving your stationary home for a trip, place an ice cube in a glass and put it in your refrigerator’s freezer compartment. If the electrical power in the home is off for an extended period of time, the ice cube will melt and then refreeze in the bottom of the glass when the power returns. This will alert you to the potential of spoiled food in the refrigerator and freezer.

Larry Black, F224612
Seymour, Tennessee


Easing The Laundry Load

Laundry basket, detergent in plastic bagIn an effort to make using a self-service laundry facility easier, I use a powdered detergent. I put one scoop, or the necessary amount, in a resealable plastic sandwich bag for each load. Then that is all the soap I have to carry when going to do the laundry. I also take only the required number of fabric-softener sheets and leave the rest of the box in the motorhome.

Lang Secrest, F187589
Blue Mesa/Twin Lakes, Colorado


Tissue Box Holder

Tissue box holderHere’s a space-saving idea for storing a tissue box. Purchase a tissue box that’s the right size to fit inside your bathroom cabinet or other area. Install two “L” brackets and cover them with 1/4-inch- to 1/2-inch-thick sponge installation self-adhesive tape. The sponge holds the box in place as you pull out a tissue. When the box is empty, remove it and put a new one in its place. In the picture, notice that the molding holds the top of the box firmly in place.

Harold Hanes, F227786
Bend, Oregon

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