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RV Hacks: For a Homier Home – Part 1
10-09-2015Author :Blog Editor in RV Tips & Education
5 RV Hacks for a Homier RV
By Stephanie Mayberry
Living in an RV full time is pretty cool. It isn’t for everyone but it is great for us. It’s home. Sometimes though our home needs a few hacks to make it feel, well homier. I’ve assembled a few that you might find useful. Actually, I have more than a few so I’ll be doing a series of RV hacks. This is the first. Enjoy.
Leveling the single burner oven playing field.
When I lived in my hideously overpriced townhome in an upscale neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia I had a gas over. Sure, it took some getting used to but I found I really liked it. So when I got an RV I thought “gas over, cool.” Then I proceeded to scorch the bottoms of cookies, turnovers, and biscuits into oblivion. I have never seen food as burned as that without requiring the assistance of the fire department.
Then someone told me about using a baking stone. It evenly distributes the heat that comes from that scorching single burner and food cooks much better. Make sure you get a round one so you don’t cover all of the ventilation holes.
Update your flooring.
Our RV is still pretty new but our last one had been around the block a few times – like a few thousand times. Flooring can get worn and make the whole unit look old.
Granted, the flooring was the least of our former unit’s problems, but if you are looking to update your older RV or just make some changes in your décor, vinyl plank flooring might be the answer. It is easy to install; you just cut it to size, peel off the backing and stick it in place. Viola! New floor, updated look! It’s also a breeze to clean.
Freshen the air – naturally.
I like my RV to smell good and am a huge fan of “stink pretty” stuff for my home but I hate the chemical smell of most air fresheners. I do use Pink Zebra Sprinkles (wax melts) with a couple of warmers and they work great. They are made from essential oils so there is no chemical smell and they last a really long time. However, sometimes I want something a little more natural.
I have a mini crock pot that I use for my “air freshener.” I add some orange, lemon, or apple (sliced with the peel on) and add a cinnamon stick (the real stuff, not the stuff on the spice aisle – you can usually find real cinnamon with the Hispanic spices) or two, sometimes cloves, sometimes a couple of pieces of ginger.
I put enough water in it to cover my fruit and spices, then I plug in my little crock pot and leave the lid off. As it heats the smell wafts through the camper and is so lovely!
I have a mini crock pot that I use for my “air freshener.” I add some orange, lemon, or apple (sliced with the peel on) and add a cinnamon stick (the real stuff, not the stuff on the spice aisle – you can usually find real cinnamon with the Hispanic spices) or two, sometimes cloves, sometimes a couple of pieces of ginger.
I put enough water in it to cover my fruit and spices, then I plug in my little crock pot and leave the lid off. As it heats the smell wafts through the camper and is so lovely!
Keep your black water tank fresh (yes it’s possible!)
Our black water tank was the bane of my existence until I discovered this hack (and if I knew who came up with this I would SO include them in my will!). We used the expensive bottles of black water tank treatment and they didn’t work that great. I thought it was hopeless but the answer was so simple (and inexpensive!).
Make your own black tank cleaner with a cup of dishwasher powder and a cup of Calgon water softener. Some folks use Borax in place of the dishwasher powder, but I prefer the lemon fresh scent.
Make your own black tank cleaner with a cup of dishwasher powder and a cup of Calgon water softener. Some folks use Borax in place of the dishwasher powder, but I prefer the lemon fresh scent.
Light up the night – or at least dark cabinets and closets.
Cupboards, cabinets and closets in an RV can be dark, really dark. I would use a flashlight to dig through cabinets to find what I wanted – which meant pawing through my stuff with one hand while the other held the flashlight (unless I could get my husband to help). Then I had a “duh” moment and invested in a few battery operated, motion activated lights. They were super easy to install, easy to change out the batteries, and every time I open the closet or cabinet door I am greeted with glorious illumination!
Look for part two of the homier home RV hacks coming up soon. Don’t worry, there are more to come including RV Hacks for organization and for a practical home. So what are your favorite RV hacks? Do share! I can’t wait to see what cool stuff you come up with!
Look for part two of the homier home RV hacks coming up soon. Don’t worry, there are more to come including RV Hacks for organization and for a practical home. So what are your favorite RV hacks? Do share! I can’t wait to see what cool stuff you come up with!
Photo Credit
Blog Author Details
Blog Editor
RV Tips & Education
5 RV Hacks for a Homier RV
By Stephanie Mayberry
Living in an RV full time is pretty cool. It isn’t for everyone but it is great for us. It’s home. Sometimes though our home needs a few hacks to make it feel, well homier. I’ve assembled a few that you might find useful. Actually, I have more than a few so I’ll be doing a series of RV hacks. This is the first. Enjoy.
Leveling the single burner oven playing field.
When I lived in my hideously overpriced townhome in an upscale neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia I had a gas over. Sure, it took some getting used to but I found I really liked it. So when I got an RV I thought “gas over, cool.” Then I proceeded to scorch the bottoms of cookies, turnovers, and biscuits into oblivion. I have never seen food as burned as that without requiring the assistance of the fire department.
Then someone told me about using a baking stone. It evenly distributes the heat that comes from that scorching single burner and food cooks much better. Make sure you get a round one so you don’t cover all of the ventilation holes.
Update your flooring.
Our RV is still pretty new but our last one had been around the block a few times – like a few thousand times. Flooring can get worn and make the whole unit look old.
Granted, the flooring was the least of our former unit’s problems, but if you are looking to update your older RV or just make some changes in your décor, vinyl plank flooring might be the answer. It is easy to install; you just cut it to size, peel off the backing and stick it in place. Viola! New floor, updated look! It’s also a breeze to clean.
Freshen the air – naturally.
I like my RV to smell good and am a huge fan of “stink pretty” stuff for my home but I hate the chemical smell of most air fresheners. I do use Pink Zebra Sprinkles (wax melts) with a couple of warmers and they work great. They are made from essential oils so there is no chemical smell and they last a really long time. However, sometimes I want something a little more natural.
I have a mini crock pot that I use for my “air freshener.” I add some orange, lemon, or apple (sliced with the peel on) and add a cinnamon stick (the real stuff, not the stuff on the spice aisle – you can usually find real cinnamon with the Hispanic spices) or two, sometimes cloves, sometimes a couple of pieces of ginger.
I put enough water in it to cover my fruit and spices, then I plug in my little crock pot and leave the lid off. As it heats the smell wafts through the camper and is so lovely!
I have a mini crock pot that I use for my “air freshener.” I add some orange, lemon, or apple (sliced with the peel on) and add a cinnamon stick (the real stuff, not the stuff on the spice aisle – you can usually find real cinnamon with the Hispanic spices) or two, sometimes cloves, sometimes a couple of pieces of ginger.
I put enough water in it to cover my fruit and spices, then I plug in my little crock pot and leave the lid off. As it heats the smell wafts through the camper and is so lovely!
Keep your black water tank fresh (yes it’s possible!)
Our black water tank was the bane of my existence until I discovered this hack (and if I knew who came up with this I would SO include them in my will!). We used the expensive bottles of black water tank treatment and they didn’t work that great. I thought it was hopeless but the answer was so simple (and inexpensive!).
Make your own black tank cleaner with a cup of dishwasher powder and a cup of Calgon water softener. Some folks use Borax in place of the dishwasher powder, but I prefer the lemon fresh scent.
Make your own black tank cleaner with a cup of dishwasher powder and a cup of Calgon water softener. Some folks use Borax in place of the dishwasher powder, but I prefer the lemon fresh scent.
Light up the night – or at least dark cabinets and closets.
Cupboards, cabinets and closets in an RV can be dark, really dark. I would use a flashlight to dig through cabinets to find what I wanted – which meant pawing through my stuff with one hand while the other held the flashlight (unless I could get my husband to help). Then I had a “duh” moment and invested in a few battery operated, motion activated lights. They were super easy to install, easy to change out the batteries, and every time I open the closet or cabinet door I am greeted with glorious illumination!
Look for part two of the homier home RV hacks coming up soon. Don’t worry, there are more to come including RV Hacks for organization and for a practical home. So what are your favorite RV hacks? Do share! I can’t wait to see what cool stuff you come up with!
Look for part two of the homier home RV hacks coming up soon. Don’t worry, there are more to come including RV Hacks for organization and for a practical home. So what are your favorite RV hacks? Do share! I can’t wait to see what cool stuff you come up with!
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