Into the Wild I Go… with These 6 Clever Camping Hacks

Don’t get caught in the woods without the proper survival kit! Here are 6 clever hacks to make your next camping trip a success. Want to recreate our hacks? Check out each hack below for a list of materials and step-by-step instructions!

DIY Hand Washing Station

No access to running water at the campsite? Bring your own faucet instead!

Materials:

• wide plastic syringe
• X-Acto knife
• sandpaper
• 2-liter soda bottle
• soda bottle cap
• hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Using an X-Acto knife, cut off the tip of the plastic syringe.
2. Smooth down the cut edges of the syringe on some sandpaper.
3. Unscrew the cap of your empty 2-liter soda bottle.
4. Using the X-Acto knife again cut out a hole in the cap, wide enough for the syringe to fit through.
5. Slide the syringe through the soda bottle cap.
6. Apply hot glue around the edges of the syringe to secure it to the soda bottle cap.
7. Fill the 2-liter soda bottle with water.
8. Screw the cap back on to the bottle.

Fire Starter Rolls

Stop rubbing sticks together! Get that fire starter in no time with these easy fire starter rolls.

Materials:

• dryer lint
• empty toilet paper roll
• wax paper

Instructions:

1. Collect some lint from the dryer.
2. Stuff the lint into an empty toilet paper roll.
3. Wrap the toilet paper roll in wax paper.
4. Twist the ends closed so it looks like a party popper.

DIY Spice & Seasonings Packets

Don’t throw out those plastic straws! Reuse them as individual spice & seasoning packets. Perfect for traveling light!

Materials:

• plastic straws
• needle nose pliers
• lighter or match
• small funnel
• spices and seasonings of your choice
• scissors
• sharpie
• a carrying container of your choice (ex: empty Altoids tin)

Instructions:

1. Clamp down the end of the plastic straw with a pair of pliers.
2. Run a lighter over the end of the clamped straw so it melts and creates a seal.
3. Insert a funnel at the top of the straw and pour in the seasoning or spice of your choice.
4. Cut the straw, clamp the end, and burn it to create a seal.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for however many packets you need!
6. Pack them away in a carrying container of your choice.

Long-Lasting Matches

Get the most out of your matches (and never worry about them getting wet) with this clever hack!

Materials:

• matches
• a small strip of paper towel
• small tongs
• melted candle wax

Instructions:

1. Wrap a single match in a small strip of paper towel.
2. Keep it wrapped (and your fingers clean) by holding it in some small tongs.
3. Dip the wrapped match in a bowl of melted candle wax.
4. Let the wax dry.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 with all of the matches in the box.
6. Refill the box with the wax matches.

Toiletries Sheets

Ditch the bulky plastic containers full of all your toiletries. Travel with only as much as you need with these DIY toiletry sheets!

Materials:

• baking sheet
• paper
• dish soap
• hand soap
• shampoo
• conditioner
• foam paint brush
• scissors

Instructions:

1. Set a piece of paper on a baking sheet.
2. Squirt your dish soap or any other toiletry on the baking sheet next to the paper.
3. Using a foam paintbrush, brush the dish soap onto the paper.
4. Let the paper air dry on a hanger or line.
5. Once the paper is dry, cut it into as many strips as you need.
6. Store them in the appropriately labeled carrying containers.

Quick-Drying Technique

There’s nothing worse than a soaking wet shoe. Get that shoe dry quickly while in the woods with just a few rocks and (surprisingly) some more water!

Materials:

• rocks
• water
• heat source

Instructions:

1. Collect some rocks.
2. Add them to a pot.
3. Cover with water.
4. Boil the rocks in the water.
5. Carefully remove the rocks from the pot and toss them into your soaking wet shoe.
6. Let the steaming rocks dry.