How to Spring Clean Your Home or RV

Since many of us are spending more time indoors during the coronavirus outbreak, why not consider cleaning our homes. While I may live full time in an RV camper, there is no reason why I can't indulge in a good spring cleaning. What do you think?  Feel like making your home cleaner and healthier?

What is Spring Cleaning?
For those of you who have never heard of the tradition of spring cleaning, let me tell you quickly a little about its history. Since this is the time of renewal and rebirth, many homemakers took time each spring, usually the week before Easter, to clean every area of their homes from top to bottom. According to my father, my Grandma Spencer even changed the slipcovers on all her furnishings from winter wools to bright, white canvas.

What Are the Traditional Steps to Spring Cleaning?
The most important rule of spring cleaning is to start at the top and move down. If you start at the bottom, then when you clean the top, the dirt will fall on the space you just cleaned. Follow the steps below in each room to make your spring cleaning easier and more efficient. I suggest doing one room at a time so you don't get overwhelmed.

Step One: Remove all the curtains, furniture slipcovers, throw rugs and other fabric items from the room and wash these. We are so lucky today to have washing machines and dry cleaners to help with this step.

Step Two: Remove picture frames, mirrors, other hanging items from the walls. Remove all ornamental decorations from the room and temporarily store them in a safe place. Cover furniture too big to move with drop cloths or old sheets.

Step Three: Sweep or brush the ceiling and walls to remove all loose dirt and cobwebs. While you have the ladder out, remove ceiling light covers and wash these. Replace hard to reach light bulbs. Wipe down the ceiling and walls with a damp rag, water, and cleaning solution.

Step Four: Wash glass windows, screens, storm windows, window sills, and moldings. Don't forget the top edges.

Step Five: Wipe down base moldings with a damp rag, water, and cleaning solution. Damp-mop hardwood and/or tile floors. Vacuum wall to wall carpets. If you can afford it, have the carpets steam cleaned.

Step Six: Dust and/or wet wipe down all other hard surfaces and furniture. (Really clean all of those hard to reach places like table legs that you don't normally clean on a regular basis.) Wash crystal, porcelain, and metal ornamental objects and let dry.

Step Seven: While the room is empty, review any needed repairs. You can oil door hinges, tighten door knob screws, and lubricate window tracks. If you haven't done it for a few years, this may be the time to repaint the ceiling and walls. Why wait till you plan to sell a house before you make it pretty?

Step Eight: Once everything is clean and dry, rehang the curtains, replace rugs on the floor and display all the pictures and mirrors. Bring back in your decorative items.

Step Nine: Stand back and look at how fresh and clean the room is. Now repeat these steps for the rest of the rooms in your house. Pace yourself.  Don't try to do your entire house in a day!

Spring Cleaning and Maintaining Your RV Camper
Can you spring clean an RV? Absolutely! This is a great time to clear out the cobwebs and take care of all those maintenance tasks you've been putting off. I adapted the steps of traditional spring cleaning for the motor home since it is made up of three "rooms" and the basement storage bins.

I suggest that you spring clean your RV when you have full hookups (water, electricity, and sewer) at your campsite. You will use a lot of water to clean out your tanks and wash everything in the RV.  You want to be able to dump your tanks while you clean.

First, I removed the windshield curtains and the blackout curtain used as a bedroom privacy screen. I washed the curtains and two throw rugs I use inside the RV to capture dirt by the doors.

Second, I removed all the ornaments, picture frames, and other stuff from the RV and put these outside on the picnic table. It was amazing how much larger the RV looked when it was empty.

Third, I used Thieves cleaner and some hot water to wash down all the ceilings and walls in the RV. It was tricky to figure out how to wash the ceiling fans and their roof covers. I did the best I could.  I also removed the light covers to take out any dead bugs and to wipe them down. Cleaning ceilings and walls not only gave me a chance to knock down some cobwebs, but it also let me look for any mold. Thankfully, I didn't have any.

Fourth, before cleaning anything else, I power washed the inside of my toilet black tank and deep cleaned the gray tank (sinks and shower wastewater goes in the gray tank). I have to pull a hose into the RV, so it made sense to wait to clean the floors till the power washing was finished. After cleaning your tanks, take the time to clean the sewer hose and the compartment where you store the hose. Regularly power washing your black tank and deep cleaning your gray tank will help to prevent and/or eliminate any sewer flies.

Fifth, wash the toilet, sinks, and shower. Wipe down all the cabinets, countertops, vinyl or leather chairs and couch. I use microfiber cloths with warm water and Thieves cleaner.

Sixth, using a fresh bucket of Thieves cleaner and water, wash the vinyl floors or tiles if you have them. Scrub any "tacked down" carpet sections with the same Thieves cleaner. Let everything dry and then replace your curtains, rugs, and decorations.

Seventh, I did some maintenance checks. Using a dry lube spray, I lubricated the sliding window tracks, the slide-out room tracks, the hydraulic jacks, and the towing hitch. I washed the roof, the sidewalls and the tires. I just recently had the engine serviced, the generator maintained, and I bought three new batteries.

Last, I diffused my favorite essential oils to freshen the air and make everything feel so great!

Make Spring Cleaning Healthier

Over the years, I used some terrible cleaning products with toxic chemicals in the list of ingredients. Many of these products included warning labels that required you to vent your room while you used them. Others warned of irritations caused by skin contact. Why did I ever think that I had to use these kinds of products to get my home clean and fresh? Now I use Young Living's Thieves Cleaner and other DIY products to clean my RV.

I love that my Thieves cleaner and my Thieves dish soap are free of any chemical toxins since they are made with plant-based essential oils. Love, love, love the cloves, lemon, and other wonderful smells! I am also so happy that I don't have to "air out" the RV after I wash everything. There is nothing in the Thieves cleaner that can hurt me, so I can use it with confidence.

I will make another blog post so I can share some DIY toxin-free cleaners. That way we can all clean our homes in a healthier way.

Share Your Thoughts
Do you have any Spring Cleaning tips or tricks to share with us? Type them in the comment box below. I love learning from all of you, too.

Full-Time RV Living: Was it a Mistake?

Do you want to live and travel full-time in an RV?  Are you ready for the ups and downs that come with living a life so totally different from the one you are living now? Because if you aren't ready for the good and the bad, you might find yourself sitting next to your RV with a dead battery asking yourself, "Was this all a mistake?"

When I decided to quit my job, sell my condo and begin traveling full-time in my motorhome, I didn't really give much thought to the long-term emotional side of the experience. I was just so excited to start my grand, new adventure. I couldn't imagine that it wouldn't just be amazing, and the first three months were TOTALLY AWESOME!

Then the sense of adventure and the newness wore off. Surprise! I wasn't so excited anymore. I felt crowded by all the stuff in my RV. I began to question my decision to live in such as small space. It was more expensive than I thought it would be and I was worried about money. Luckily for me, I've met a few other full-time campers. They assured me that I was feeling a "culture shock" of sorts. They suggested that I think more about how I was living in the RV. They reminded me that I was not just vacationing. They pointed out that this new way of living needed a new mindset. They suggested that I make some changes to my routines and slow down. They asked me to tell them why I wanted to begin this new way of living. Was my way of living helping me to have the adventures and experiences I wanted to have? They strongly suggested that I live and travel in my RV for at least a year and at the end of that year, I could reevaluate if this was the lifestyle for me.

Their questions and suggestions led me to do some research on "culture shock" especially for those who move away from home. The US foreign service, universities, and international businesses all train people on how to adapt to new cultures. Based on what I learned, I know that negative feelings are part of the process of adapting to change. Knowing this has helped me to feel less guilty. (After all, shouldn't I be happy all the time?) Now I know it is normal to lose the initial excitement. I also learned what I can do to bring some excitement back into my daily life.

Are you thinking about making a big change in your life? To help you manage the feelings that come with big changes, I thought I would share what I learned about the phases of cultural adjustment and a few of my experiences in each phase.

The Five Phases of Cultural Adjustment
1. Anticipation Phase

This phase usually happens before you make a change in your life. For me, this first phase lasted about 6 months. I researched RV living. I went to RV trade shows and sales lots. I watched YouTube videos about living full-time on the road. I read blogs about tiny houses. I DREAMED about camping on the beach and staring at the stars in the clear night sky. I made a wish list of all the places I wanted to visit. Then, I created a website to store all that I was learning.  I was feeling a little NERVOUS but mostly I felt EXCITED!

Here is the link to my travel website if you want to look at my earliest notes on RV living: https://sites.google.com/site/caminoturtletravels/

2. Disengagement Phase

One of the hardest parts of transitioning from a "sticks and bricks" life to a full-time RV life was disengaging from all the familiar things around me. That meant quitting a job I liked, selling a condo in a city I loved, and saying good-bye to amazing family and friends.  This is a very emotional time, but the excitement and anticipation of my new life seemed to overshadow the negative feelings. As much as I loved my life, I really wanted more adventure and travel than my full-time job allowed. So, I packed up some boxes, temporarily stored them in my niece's basement, bought my RV, drove it from Atlanta to Arlington, and then filled it up with all my stuff. During this time of disengagement, I was feeling STRESSED but also EAGER.

3. Honeymoon Phase

During the first three months of my new life as a full-time RVer, I was in heaven. Every day was amazing. The views out my front windshield were spectacular. My campsites on the shores of lakes were awesome and relaxing. I felt alive and invigorated. I went to festivals and fairgrounds. I took long walks on beaches and hiked to the top of various mountains. If I'm honest, during those first three months, I acted like I was on an extended vacation.  I was living like a tourist. Everything seemed possible. I was feeling BLESSED, ALIVE and AMAZED.

4. Culture Shock Phase

Then the honeymoon was over. The newness of my new full-time RV life was wearing off. I was tired of having to learn the locations for the post office and the grocery store in each state that I visited.  Mechanical problems started to crop up and I wasn't sure how to deal with them. I was not a big fan of some aspects of RV life, like dumping my black tank.  I was overwhelmed by all the new things I needed to learn! I didn't have a job and my savings account was shrinking. There was a much bigger learning curve for RV living than I expected. Life was getting too hard! Suddenly, I realized I was out in the world on my own and I began to feel isolated. Phone conversations with family were not filling the emotional void. It was during this culture shock phase that I began to question whether or not this new way of living was going to work for me. Maybe I made a mistake? Was it time to sell the RV and move back into "normal" life?  I was feeling OVERWHELMED, LONELY, and UNCERTAIN.

5. Adaptation Phase

After about a year, I think I know more about how to maintain my RV. I learned this by watching YouTube videos, asking techs at RV repair shops and talking to fellow campers. To relieve some of my financial stress, I got a flexible, part-time job teaching English to kids in China using my laptop. This allows me to keep traveling and still pay my bills. Part of my culture shock was caused by constant travel. When I realized this, I made the decision to balance months of weekly traveling with long-term, seasonal stays so I can visit family, meet new people and make friends.

I've also invited family members to come and camp with me and I stayed at campgrounds near where they live. (I even camped in my sister's driveway.) I've established daily and weekly routines so I don't feel like I am just floating through my life. I stopped being a tourist and became a person who works, cooks, eats, reads, plays computer games, prays, sleeps and travels full-time in a motorhome. Full-time RV living is becoming my life, not just a vacation. I feel GRATEFUL and BALANCED.

Living in my RV Feels NORMAL
Realizing that my life isn't one big vacation but a different way of living has actually allowed me to enjoy the time I have to relax and explore. At the same time, it has helped me to feel a lot less guilty for those days when I never leave the camper because I just had too much work to do.

As a full-time RVer, I am constantly adapting to new places and people. Now, when I feel overwhelmed by all the changes, I've given myself permission to slow down and just enjoy the place where I am for a while. When I stay for a month or longer, I get comfortable knowing where things are, like the local Catholic Church or the post office. This gives me extra time to get off the beaten path and explore the places where the tourists don't go.  One of the best parts of living in an RV is that when I am ready for the next adventure, I just pack up the camper and head out into the great unknown!

Are you ready for the next grand adventure in your life?  Knowing the roller coasters of emotions that come with this change can help you to ride them out. That way, you will be less likely to quit when things seem too hard because you will know that the best part of your new life will be just around the corner.

Referral Link to Teach English as a Second Language
Do you need to make some extra money to support your next big adventure?  Why not consider teaching English to kids in China using your laptop and high-speed internet?  Don't worry if you aren't a certified teacher, VIPKID will help you to get certified. With a little practice, you can become a great ESL teacher.

I've been working with VIPKID, a company in China since March 2019. They let you set your own days and hours, so you can work as much or as little as you want. You just need to market yourself on VIPKID's website so students can find you.  I can help you...

If you are interested in making some extra money, click the VIPKID link below.

VIPKID

When you use my referral link, I get a cash bonus of $100 after you teach your first class. Email me at caminoturtle2016@gmail.com  to let me know you are applying so I can help you with the interview process.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT MANAGING CHANGE
Do you have any questions or maybe some suggestions for us on how to adapt to change?  Add your thoughts by typing in the comment box below. I love sharing what I am learning, but I also love learning from all of you.

It's Hard to Let Go of Sentimental Things

Do you have piles of photographs shoved into shoeboxes and scattered loosely in drawers? Do you have ratty old concert t-shirts in boxes in the attic? Have you been hanging on to things from your past in an attempt to re-live those wonderful moments?  I was and all that stuff was robbing me of the joy of the new life I wanted.

When I started my full-time RV adventure, I dreamed my motorhome named Belle would be a haven of peace and adventure. Instead, I found myself surrounded by clutter, stepping over piles of stuff and catching things as they fell out of the overhead bins.

One day I realized that I hated RV traveling, not because of the driving but because of all the stuff I had to deal with when it was time to move. That's when I knew something had to change.

Live in the Present Not the Past
What kind of life do you want to live now? Are the things you have stored in your home supporting this life?  Are these things bringing you joy? If not, why are you keeping these things?

When I asked myself these questions, I realized I was keeping things from my past life that no longer supported the life I want to live as a full-time RV camper.  At the same time, I was keeping things from my parents', grandparents' and great-grandparents' past lives. Some of these items are true treasures and I am working to find a better home for them than the basement bins in my RV. Others are items whose meaning is a true mystery to me.

Yet, despite this realization, I felt too guilty to remove these sentimental items from my life and my RV. Why is it so hard to let go of things from the past? Why is sorting sentimental things so emotional? What can make the process easier?

Konmari Method Can Help You Sort Sentimental Things
Sorting sentimental things was the most difficult decluttering I did in my RV. I don't think I could have done it if I hadn't read Marie Kondo's book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up". Marie seems to ask the right questions or make a statement that helps you really think about your motivation for keeping things. Of course, she is famous for her "does it spark joy?" question, but it was her statement about photographs that really helped me.

"Photos exist only to show a specific event or time."

This statement helped me realize that I don't need hundreds of photos from a vacation trip. Several beautiful, well-representative photos can help me remember the entire vacation. Really, who wants to look through hundreds of photos when a well-selected smaller amount can beautifully tell the story?  To sort photos, Marie has you take them out of the albums. I know this sounds like a pain, but it really helps you to find those photos that are true treasures. You know, the ones that make you smile! And, it is easier to let go of the extra photos when they are already out of the albums.

The konmari method also helped me to sort through the antique photo albums I inherited. Initially, I started out by making copies of every photograph in my ancestor's photo albums. (I didn't take the photos out of the albums since they were glued in.) Then I realized, I didn't know most of my grandparents' friends or the events in these photos? Applying Marie's method helped me to focus my time and energy on copying photos of ancestors that were labeled with names and places of importance to our family. It also helped me to acknowledge that I am not the best caretaker of these treasures. I can send them on to a family member or historical society with no feelings of guilt or remorse.

Only Keep What You Truly Love
I know this is a rather vague statement, but I can honestly tell you that there will come a point in the decluttering process where you look around and realize that you are surrounded by only those things you love and use regularly.  There isn't a magic universal amount of stuff that is going to make everyone happy, but each of us will know when we are keeping all the right stuff. Now, when it is time to pack up and travel to my next destination, I know that the things I need to pack away are treasures and I don't mind the time it takes.  Now, my full-time RV life is one filled with delightful adventure and a whole lot less stuff!

Learn More About the Konmari Method
I started my Konmari tidying adventure in November 2019 and finished sorting my last box in March 2020. It was a lot of work and very emotional, but definitely worth it!

You can read more about my journey to declutter my RV using the Konmari method by clicking on the links below.

Using Konmari Method to Reduce Clutter in My RV Motorhome, Again!
Do Your Clothes Spark Joy? Konmari Organizing Helped Me Find Out

Are You Being Buried Alive in Paper?: Konmari Steps 2 and 3
Get Rid of Old Technology: Konmari Your Electronics
Is Your Bathroom is a Happy Place? Konmari It
Declutter Your Kitchen So It Works Better For You
Tools I Use Regularly In My Full-Time RV Life

How You Can Stop Using Single-Use Plastics

Over the past two years, I have become much more aware of the impact that disposable single-use plastic is having on the environment. Most of this awareness comes from my encounters with trash in the wilderness. I am so sad when I make the extra effort to travel to beautiful, natural locations and then see so much non-biodegradable plastic. Motivated by a desire to be a good steward of the amazing Earth that God gave us, I decided to reduce my use of single-use plastics. I know I won't do it perfectly, but even my imperfect efforts can make a difference. So can yours.

Why is Single-Use Plastic a Problem?

Single-use plastic is not intended to be reused. This plastic is intentionally made to be thrown away. One of the biggest problems with single-use plastic is that unlike other forms of trash, these items don't ever seem to disappear. For example, a single plastic bottle takes 500 years to degrade in a landfill. 60 million plastic bottles are used every day, according to container-recycling.org.  Bottles are just one way we use disposable plastic. Where will all this plastic go if we keep using it?

What Single-Use Plastic Products Do We Use Now?
In a Bon Appetit blog article on zero waste, the author suggests that you do a trash inventory to see what waste you create. I did this and it was a little messy but eye-opening. Based on my experiences, here are the most common disposable plastic products I use (I just inventoried the plastics for now):

• plastic packaging (Young Living orders, Amazon orders, other mail orders) 
• Keurig coffee pods
• empty milk and juice bottles
• bottle caps
• empty food jars (nut butter, mayonnaise)
• take-out containers
• drinking straws
• take-out silverware
• take-out coffee and soda cups with plastic lids
• party cups (remember those red cups in college?)
• plastic shopping bags 
• grocery produce bags
• zipper food storage bags
• cling film used to cover bowls 
• trash bags to line my trash can (most RV parks require you to bag your trash)

Ways We Can Reduce Our Use of Plastic

Things like water bottles and plastic silverware are probably the easiest plastics to eliminate in your life. Many of us already have everyday silverware, metal coffee mugs and reusable water bottles in our homes. We just have to think about using them more often.

Harder to eliminate will be all the plastic that has replaced the glass and metal containers in grocery stores. For example, plastic is used for nut butter jars, yogurt containers, medicine bottles, shampoo, conditioner and even to wrap fresh produce. Since I made the commitment to reduce my purchase of disposable plastic, I try to buy things in glass jars instead. These glass jars can be hard to find, but there are still some options.

One use of plastic that I have little control over is the plastic packaging that comes in mail order boxes. This is probably the most difficult to eliminate since companies have their own zero-waste policies. The one thing I can do is to try and buy things at local stores rather than online. This will take more time, but isn't a cleaner planet worth it?

Affordable Products to Replace Disposable Plastics
Even though I can't eliminate the use of all plastics, I am making a commitment to reducing my use of single-use disposable plastic and I invite you to join me. If you are like me, you can't afford to buy a lot of the zero waste products being sold as part of what I see as a trendy movement. However, there are some affordable things we can do to be better stewards and to reduce our use of disposable plastics. Below is the list of some things I did to eliminate my use of disposable plastics:

Food Storage and Take Out Containers

• Put sandwiches in plastic or glass storage boxes or wrap in parchment. My favorite is the Rubbermaid Lunch Blox Kit. The containers snap together with a cold pack to keep your lunch fresh. I've had mine for five years and love them.
• Put leftovers in reusable plastic or glass boxes. 
• Wrap food in foil, wax paper or parchment paper. Mark with a sharpie pen.
• Bring containers with lids to restaurants to take home leftovers. I like to keep an empty Lunch Blox kit in my backpack to take to Disney World. When I order food at the park, I usually eat half a serving and take the rest home. Now I have a better way to do that than by asking for a takeout box.

Straws and Silverware for Eating Out

• To remember not to use single-use plastics when I eat at fast-food restaurants, I made this cute cutlery rolled packet out of a placemat. I use it to store my reusable plastic straws, chopsticks, and regular silverware. I keep this in my purse or put it in my backpack. (In a future post, I will show you how to make your own.) Now, I just need to remember to ask them not to give me any plastics.
• I have a reusable plastic silverware set I bought from Rick Steves that came in a tube. I like to take this set when I go hiking.
• I use regular silverware on picnics. This is one of the most enjoyable changes I've made. It's not that hard to wash them when you're done.  If you are like my mother, you've probably been washing plastic silverware anyway, so why not use your everyday silverware?

Drinking Bottles

• I own two stainless-steel, 17 oz. bottles and love using them. They are the same shape as the disposable water plastic bottles so they easily fit in the cupholders in my car and in my backpack pockets. They close tightly so I can also put one in my purse. Since they are double-walled they don't sweat and my drinks stay cold. I bought mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Take-Out Coffee and Soda Cups

• I have two 20 oz. Yeti Rambler Tumblers with really nice magslider lids. These also fit really well in car cupholders. I have had no problem asking coffee shops to use my tumbler instead of their cups. I haven't tried asking fast food places to use the tumbler for my iced coffee, yet.  Have you had any luck asking restaurants to let you use your own drinking mugs? If yes, what places let you? 

Plastic Shopping Bags

• I used to forget to bring reusable shopping bags with me until I found ripstop nylon ones with sewn-in stuff sacks. Two fit easily in my purse for those impromptu trips. For bigger grocery store trips, I keep a few extras in a tote bag in the back of my SUV. I recently bought a few more on Amazon from a company called BeeGreen.  These bags hold up to 50 pounds and are washable. They also stuff into their own corners to make a nice compact carrying case. (Love, love, love these)

Grocery Produce Bags

I hate using those flimsy produce bags, but I also hate just letting my produce roll around in my shopping cart. So, I did some research and discovered a wonderful Irish lady on YouTube (Fairyland Cottage) who made her produce bags from super lightweight muslin. The lightweight muslin doesn't add a lot of weight, so you don't end up increasing the cost of your produce. You and the cashier can also read the product label code when you check out.  I don't have a sewing machine, so I hand-sewed mine using a backstitch for extra strength. These bags are also machine washable.

Let's Make the Commitment to Change
I've only just started to try and eliminate disposable plastics and already I am noticing plastics everywhere.  I know it can begin to feel a little overwhelming and tempting to think that it's impossible to make a difference, but I encourage you to try anyway. After all, isn't this the beach scene you would like to see instead of the first one I posted above?

As Shelbizleee says on her YouTube channel,

"You can't do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do."

Additional Resources 
Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability by The United Nations
How Communities Have Defined Zero Waste by the United States EPA

Do you know other ways to reduce waste?  Want to share some fun tips or other resources with us?  Click on the comment link below and type away, friend. We are all here to learn from each other.

Tools I Use Regularly In My Full-Time RV Life

I imagine that you are thinking that my full-time life must require some kind of exotic tools. Well, I will admit that there are some tools that are unique to this lifestyle, but for the most part, I use many of the same tools I used as a homeowner.  The difference is that I no longer keep multiples of the same tool. An RV can be a small place to live and store all your things, so you don't really have the luxury of keeping a lot of extra stuff.

Recently, I began to feel a little overwhelmed by all the clutter in my RV. I was forever stepping over or bumping into stuff. My tow car had become my storage locker. I decided it was time to do something about this, so I read a book on tidying by Marie Kondo. If you have been reading this blog since November, you know that I have been Konmari-ing my camper using Marie's method. I am almost finished with this emotionally exhausting exercise, but also excited about how it has improved the quality of my RV life.

What does this have to do with tools? Well, Marie has you sort your belongings by category and I just finished the category she calls "komono". Tools are part of this category.  I found this to be an easy process since my earlier "konmari-ing" work had trained me to know quickly what belongings I should keep and what I should let go of. The other thing I learned during this process, is that it helps me to sort things into sub-categories.  For example, I have work tools like a stapler and a laminator and I own cleaning tools like a bucket and a squeegee.  So, let me share with you my list of tools that I use regularly in my RV life;

RV Home Repair and Maintenance Tools

• screwdriver with multiple tips
• hammer
• mallet
• wrench
• Allen wrench
• pliers
• measuring tape
• crowbar
• ax (trucker's helper)
• clamp
• staple gun and staples
• glue gun and glue sticks
• replacement LED bulbs
• voltage tester
• straight-edge razors
• painter and duct tapes
• stud finder
• level (small green one hangs on a string)
• twine
• various types of lubricant sprays 
• transmission fluid for hydraulic slides and jacks
• caulk and sealants

Cleaning Tools

• hose used especially for cleaning, do not use to get drinking water
• bucket
• sponges and rags
• squeegee
• long-handled mop to wash RV exterior and floors
• duster to wipe down RV exterior between washings
• cordless vacuum cleaner
• trash bags (researching a plastic-free alternative)
• dustpan and hand broom
• broom for RV floors
• collapsable extension ladder, folding step stool
• Young Living's Thieves cleaner, I use to wash everything. Love it!

RV Mechanical Tools

• a compressor that can inflate RV tires
• a jump box to jump car or RV batteries
• long jumper cables, just in case
• slinky waste hose, hose caps, and gloves to wear while dumping tanks
• wheel chocks
• drinking water hose filter
• drinking water hose (not pictured - it is blue)
• "house" electric adaptors (50 amp to 30 amp dog bone)
• ice scraper
• RV tow car braking system

Work Tools and Stationary

• laminator and pocket sheets
• stapler and staples
• rubberbands
• paper clips and larger clips
• pens and pencils
• highlighters, dry erase and sharpie markers
• scissors (since the photo was taken, kept favorite and gave away the other)
• mailing envelopes
• notebooks
• ruler
• post-it notes and scotch tape
• Logi external web camera
• Logitech headset with microphone
• Laptop
• iPhone
• Verizon MiFi
• miscellaneous toys and props for teaching class

Sports and Camping Tools

• tent, tent poles, and rain fly
• sleeping bag liner
• foam mattress
• hammock and straps
• foil emergency blanket
• first aid kit
• solar flashlight
• camping nesting pots and a frying pan
• campfire grill
• camping mess kit
• camping utensils and a Swiss army knife
• Coleman camp stove
• propane canisters
• CamelBak water bag
• fire starters
• hiking poles
• clothesline rope and straps for securing items
• folding saw
• igloo chest
• long trip backpack
• daypack and fanny pack
• swim noodles and swim shoes
• picnic tablecloth, paper plates, cups and bowls

Closing Thoughts

Well, folks, that's just a quick post to give you some ideas about the kinds of tools you might need if you want to live fulltime in an RV. While your list will vary based on your own hobbies and interests, I hope you found my list to be a good place to start. 

As you can see, you likely have most of these in your homes right now.  If you watch YouTube videos, you will see a lot of suggestions on cool tools and gadgets you can buy to make your life easier in an RV. While it can be tempting to buy these wonderful things, remember, you will need to find places to put all that stuff. Most of my tools are stored in a small toolbox I keep in my bedside table, a drawer in the living room, a drawer in the bedroom and two Ziplock waterproof bins I keep under the RV in "basement" storage. I found over the past two years, that I am happiest when my RV is clean and clutter-free.

Owning less and living more is now my motto.

To see how my decluttering journey has gone so far, check out some of my earlier blog posts.

Using the Konmari Method to Reduce Clutter in My RV, Again

Do Your Clothes Spark Joy? Konmari Organizing Helped Me Find Out

Are You Being Buried Alive in Paper? Konmari Organizing Steps 2 and 3

Get Rid of Old Technology: Konmari Your Electronics

Is Your Bathroom a Happy Place? Time to Konmari It

Declutter Your Small Kitchen So It Works Better For You

If you have any questions or suggestions, please type those in the comment section below. This blog is a place to learn and I love learning from all of you, too.

How to Camp for Free in Your SUV

Do you want to go camping more often, but you have a limited budget and can't afford a camper yet?  Do you live full time in a larger RV, but still want to take trips out into the wilderness? Well, friends, let me share what I am learning about how you can camp for free using your SUV, van, truck or car. I'm not an expert on this and I am still learning, but I am fascinated by all the YouTube videos and stories I have heard from other campers who are camping for free in beautiful places.

With a little planning, we can all experience the beauty, joys, and wonders of nature more often. For example, in this photo, I am enjoying my lunch at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area. You can camp for 3 days for free on the access road if you say that you are observing the wildlife. The access road is located right alongside Vermont's Route 17 near Lake Champlain, so it isn't the quietest place, but it is free and beautiful. So, where else can you camp for free?

What is Free Camping?

Free camping goes by many names. Boondocking and dispersed camping are when you camp for free on public lands with no facilities like bathrooms or showers. Dry camping and primitive camping can take place on a federal or state campsite with no water, electricity or sewer hookups. You may have access to bathrooms or vault toilets for a small fee. Stealth camping is secret camping that takes place in urban settings like neighborhoods, Wal-mart parking lots, rest areas and other public spaces.  So, if you can't afford to pay for a campsite, don't let that stop you from camping. There are lots of different ways to camp for free.

How Do I Find Free Camping Locations?
Once you know the terminology, you can search online to find your free camping spot. Just type in your location and the websites will give you some ideas of where you can stay. Below are a few great camping search websites and iPhone apps that I've used:

• freecampsites.net website
• campendium.com/free-camping website and app
• freeroam app - includes filters for price, cell signals, forest fires, crowds, weather and more

In the United States and Canada, public lands often have designated dispersed camping spots. While the camping spots are free, you may need to make reservations or get a permit. To learn what is required, you can check out the agency's website:

• Bureau of Land Management: most of this land is on the United States' west coast
• U.S. Forest Service: to find free camping, select dispersed camping from the websites' activity list
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: parking sites are often on lakes and rivers
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: (check other states for their policies and any fees)

What Maps Do I Need?

Bring paper road maps as a backup to your phone's GPS. I can tell you from personal experience, that it is really easy to get lost when you lose your cell signal in remote areas. If you want to know more about how I got lost in Arkansas, click this link.  Since remote roads in national forests often don't show on your iPhone or road atlas maps, you should print National Forest road maps for the area where you will camp before you leave home. If you plan to camp on public lands as part of your regular weekend getaways, you may want to buy a copy of the Benchmarks' Road and Recreation Maps for your state. (Here is a link for Utah as an example)

What Gear Do I Need to Camp for Free?
Once you've selected your camping spot, you need to get some gear ready. I suggest you have a couple of bins to keep your gear in. That way, when the weather is nice, you can be ready to go in minutes. What you decide to bring will vary based on location and personal preference, but I think there are a few essentials everyone should have.

• Water: Human beings can live without a lot of things, but water is not one of those. I bring 3 gallons of water for each day. The amount you need will vary. The average person should drink half a liter (16 ounces or 2 cups) of water for every hour of moderate activity (hiking) in moderate temperatures.  Bring extra for cooking and washing.  You will also need some water gear. I bring refillable water jugs from Wal-mart, a CamelBak for hiking, and a thermal coffee mug for keeping my drinks hot or cold.

• Food: I suggest you bring foods that are favorites with picnickers, backpackers, and other wilderness campers. Keep the meals simple but yummy. If the public land agency allows it, you might also bring along a bottle of wine, some beer or sodas. Just remember to bring the corkscrew and/or can opener, if needed.  If your food needs to stay cold, bring a small igloo chest and some ice packs. If you are camping in bear country, follow local agency rules for use of bear lockers and other storage containers.

• Cooking Gear: If you love coffee as much as I do, you need to bring along a stainless steel filter-less coffee drip cone or French press. You will also need to find a way to boil water. If your camping location allows for campfires and you have access to wood, I recommend you bring some fire starters, a sturdy pot, and some aluminum foil. If campfires aren't allowed, then you can bring a small camp stove with some fuel canisters. What else you bring is based on how much cooking you want to do. Just remember, you have limited water to wash things, so keep it simple. Speaking of washing, I suggest you bring a small wash bin, a washcloth or Buff and dish soap. I use Young Livings Thieves dish soap. A little goes a long way and I like that it's natural.

• Eating Gear: Once your food is ready, you need a way to eat it. This gear can be as simple as paper plates, waxed paper cups, and plastic silverware. You could even use that old Boy Scout or Girl Scout mess kit. Think "picnic" and you will know what you want to bring. 

• Sleeping Gear: You can always sleep reclined in the front seat or across the backseat, but if you would like to be more comfortable, I have a few suggestions. First, put your back seats down flat. Throw your food and clothing in the front seats and you are ready to go. Second, put in a camping mattress, spread out a sleeping bag and blankets, add a pillow or two and you are all set. Bring more blankets than you think you need. While you may not need them, it is harder to get warm than it is to cool off. Third, bring mosquito netting or other screening with adhesive Velcro. Creating your own window screens will allow you to crack open your windows to remove excess moisture, let the fresh air in, and keep the bugs out. Only open your windows a little, so you don't encourage curious hands to reach in while you sleep. Leaving your doors or your back hatch open is not an option since this will drain your car battery. Fourth, if you want to block the view, you can create privacy curtains. I got this idea from Wild Mountain Echoes. Their photo is shown above.

• Clothing and Toiletries: Just a few quick reminders. Dress in layers, so you can regulate your body temperature by adding and removing clothing. Otherwise, just bring what you like to wear. Toiletries can include a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, bug spray, sunscreen, unscented soap, washcloth, towel, and a hairbrush or comb. If you are only camping for a night or two, you won't need much else. If you decide to bring other things, I suggest you bring natural and unscented products. For example, I use Young Living's Thieves Hand Sanitizer. I keep one in my purse, backpack, and car glove box. I love it! Young Living also sells natural sunscreen and bug lotion. If you feel the need to wear makeup, bring that, but leave the perfume and cologne at home.

• Power Sources: While your car can be a power source, you really shouldn't use the car battery as your main source of electricity. This could drain it and leave you stranded. Now, you could camp without any power sources, but I recommend you have a few just to make things more comfortable. For remote camping, I use batteries and chargers. For example, I like to use a headlamp, so I keep a few AA batteries on hand. You might like to pre-charge and bring along a few USB chargers for your smartphone.  I have a solar charger that is also a flashlight. I use my smartphone a lot to take photos, check the weather service, look up hiking maps, and find my camping spot using the GPS, so I need to recharge it often.

• Leave No Trace Gear: For those of you who are new to wilderness camping, Leave No Trace means that the wilderness should look as wild when you leave as it did when you arrived. No one should be able to tell that you camped there. To achieve this, you will need a few things. First, garbage bags. I put one in a bin with a snap-close lid to collect trash. This helps to contain the smell. Second, if you are allowed to bury human waste near your campsite, bring toilet paper and a small shovel. If you use wet wipes, don't bury these, put them in your trash. Otherwise, plan to use local rest areas, picnic areas or gas stations to meet your bathroom needs.

What Non-Essentials Make Remote Camping Even Better?

• Folding Camp Chairs: I honestly think I have the world's most comfortable folding chair by Kijaro. However, you don't really need a fancy folding chair, just something that lets you sit up off the ground. Consider bringing a blanket and a cushion if you plan to sit on the ground.

• Folding Table: The size can vary based on how many of you are camping.  I have a little folding side table that I bought at Target. It is waterproof and fade-resistant. I set it up next to my chair and now I have a dining room.

• Hammock: My sister Susie and her kids gave me a hammock with hanging straps as a gift. While I don't use it often at RV parks, I love using it for quick naps when I am hiking. If there aren't a lot of bugs out while you are camping and you feel safe at your camping spot, it can become even your bed.

• Sports and Hobby Gear: I love to hike when I am camping so I bring a small day pack and my hiking poles. My nephews Dan and Jonathan love to take amazing photos so they bring camera gear. My sister Ginny and her kids love to kayak. Each of has our own reasons for wanting to go out into nature. Think about what you want to do while you are camping in the wild, and throw what you need in the SUV.

• Books, Games and/or Musical Instruments: If you are camping with a group, consider bringing along a few games or some musical instruments. Two cornhole boards with some beanbags, a deck of cards and your guitar won't take up much space and can add some fun to the evening. For those quiet mornings, you can bring a book to read, a scripture guide, and your journal. 

How Can I Stay Safe?

One of the reasons I wrote this blog post is that as a single woman, I am afraid to camp alone in a tent. I want to be braver, but I'm not. At the same time, I still really want to camp in beautiful, wild, remote places. I live full time in a motorhome, but it is hard to get a 30 foot RV into some of the most remote locations. So, I decided to try camping in my Honda CR-V. I am still a little nervous about camping alone, but there are some things I bring that help me feel safer. First, I bring is a first aid kit. This helps me handle many medical emergencies. Second, since I already own a $100 Stanley jump starter, I bring that along as well. This isn't essential but if my car or RV battery dies in the middle of nowhere, I can jump it on my own. With all the different outlets it has, I can even run a fan on a hot night if needed. The jump box also has a light and a compressor that will let you inflate a flat tire. As a solo traveler, I think it was worth the investment. Like I said, not essential, but nice to have. Third, in an emergency, I can always call 911. Lastly, I give myself permission to leave and go home if I feel unsafe. After all, I am camping for free, so I have no reason to feel guilty if I decide I want to go home. Knowing I can leave somehow makes me braver.

Well, folks, I hope what I've shared with you about free camping will help to remove any fears you might have and encourage you to get out there and see more of our wild, wonderful world for free!

Click here to see my most recent packing list. Once there, you can print a photo free version.

Please add comments below, if you have other packing tips or know some good places to camp for free. I want this blog to be a place where we learn from each other. Thanks, friends.