We've gotten a lot of good feedback from our tip of two weeks ago on golf and golf travel "hacks," MacGyver-style.
This week, we're bringing you another slate, this time more geared toward potential off-course mishaps during your vacation.
Let us know what you think of these and feel free to add your own ideas for travel hacks in the comments at the end of this piece...
Does your hotel room’s squeaky bathroom door keep waking you up?
Rub some soap on the hinges and it’ll swing as smooth as Ernie Els.
Hotel room thermostat won’t adjust beyond a certain temperature?
Google the name of the unit plus “override” or “bypass” for instructions on putting it in “VIP mode” so you can set it as warm or cool as you like. Many will revert back to standard mode in 72 hours.
Find lint or pet hair all over your “dinner” outfit?
Use the sticky side of your checked baggage tag as a makeshift lint roller.
Forget something “universal” like a charging cable for your phone?
Ask if you can borrow an unclaimed one at the hotel’s lost-and-found (just be sure to return it).
Hotel room drapes won’t stay closed all the way?
Use a hanger from the closet (the kind with the clips) to keep the light out.
Need to free up space/weight in your carry-on?
Leave the blocky, wall plug portion of your phone/tablet chargers at home and simply plug the cord into your hotel room’s TV (or your rental car) which likely has one or more USB ports. Forgot your cord? See tip #4.
Bathroom faucet dripping loudly?
Tie dental floss around the spout so the dripping water runs quietly down to the drain.
Broken shoelace?
Another use for that dental floss.
Need to block outside noise so you can work or sleep?
Create makeshift earplugs with wadded up, moistened toilet paper. Or, create low-volume “white noise” by tuning the TV or radio to a static channel. If the TV won't cooperate, there's a smartphone app for that.
Need to heat up leftovers without a microwave?
Use the iron. Speaking of food, the iron can also be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches or paninis and the coffee maker can heat hot water for making hot dogs, soup or rice. Resourceful? Yes. Appetizing? Not so much.
Got any other suggestions to stave off any other travel mishaps? Be sure and let us know below!
Use duct tape to seal out unwanted central air conditioning cold air flow. Remember to remove it once you leave.
Don't put you bag on top of a cupboard, it will be dusty.
Some hotels require your entry card, which is the same size as a credit card, to activate the lighting/cooling in your room. Bring along an old hotel card and use it instead. Your room will stay cool when you go for a few minutes. Remember to not leave it if your room hasn't been cleaned as the maid may take it. Some hotels have no clothes line in your room to hang dry bathing suits etc. I bring along a small dia. rope I purchased from the dollar store to string across the shower area. I also bring along a night light, also purchased from the dollar store. It's great to use in an unfamiliar room layout in the middle of the night when nature calls. No fumbling around to turn on lights which could blind you and wake up your partner. Remember to bring a couple of plastic bags to put your dirty laundry in. It keeps them separate from clean clothes and odours. I always bring a pair of flip flops/slippers to use in the room. keeps your feet and socks from picking up undesirables.
Great suggestions: I will definitely use some of these in our travels
Put a plastic sandwich bag over the remote.... do you really want to know what's on that bad boy????
Boil eggs in your kettle.
Awesome ideas here. Thanks!!
got some washing but can't dry it? Hang your wet washing on a hanger in the closet, and plug in the iron and sit it on the floor of the closet, and close the door. The iron is safe - it has a thermostat so will switch on and off but you will create a very effective drying room.
Are you kidding?
Most hotels are now declining to offer any phone or computer related chords, charges etc.... to guests, "it's our new policy" Suggest keeping a spare phone and laptop (especially Dell)charges in your travel bag at all times. It will prevent a trip to the local Best Buy or Fry's for that expensive universal adaptor set that is sometimes not so universal.
That's hacking outside the box!