Common Household Items Make Packing Easier [Clever Uses] - 2327th Edition

Packing for a trip can be challenging. Using everyday household items in new, clever ways can make packing—and traveling—less of an effort.

Real Simple offers up nine ways to tackle some often tricky packing woes. Our favorite: Use a water bottle to prevent paper souvenirs from getting bent or torn. (For some reason, this intern often ends up with a ton of bendable souvenirs when traveling.)

Water Bottle

Original purpose: Providing hydration.

Aha! use: Preventing souvenir maps, ticket stubs, postcards, and museum brochures from bending or tearing in your suitcase. Just roll them up and drop them into a dry, wide-mouthed bottle.

Reward: Well-preserved mementos without a wrinkle in time.

The post also suggests using plastic wrap to avoid suitcase messes, address labels to tag your stuff, kids’ floaties to prevent damaged trinkets and shower caps for your shoes. Head to Real Simple for their full list. (Apologies for Real Simple’s clickthrough gallery.)

Got a trick for packing or traveling (like using inflatable packaging to pack better, perhaps)? Summer vacations are almost upon us, so share your best tips in the comments.

By Adam Pash
Yaab