Want My Advice?

What's the best practical advice you've ever gotten? Perhaps to put all your toiletries in Ziplock bags before packing them, or that club soda is the best spot remover? Every month, we'll print the best Readers' Tips. Click here to submit your own tips and advice.

Here are some of this month's readers' tips.

THAT’S SOME PAPER TRAIL
As a Lutheran pastor, I often prepare sermons during my flights. But sometimes my laptop won’t last the whole flight. So I use my laptop while waiting in the terminal and make notes on paper. During the flight, I work with my notes, jot down ideas and questions, and at the next terminal I process my updated notes into the file on my computer. This system helps generate new paper notes for me to consider during the next leg of my flight, and it saves battery power for the entire trip.
—Philip Bohlken
Omaha, Nebraska

FIRST, REMOVE PILLOW
When using an unfamiliar hotel iron, it’s easy to scorch or leave a spot from old water. Prevent this from happening by placing a pillowcase between the iron and your clothing.
—Camille Smith
Aptos, California

EASIER THAN WASHING
It’s great to see so many people moving away from plastic bags. Take the trend a step further by using a cloth bag for dirty clothes when you travel, rather than the plastic bag some hotels supply. Keep your clothes smelling fresh by opting for an open-weave bag and tossing in a dryer sheet.
—Kathy Jones
Pleasanton, California

SEE IF “TOOTHBRUSH DRYER” CATCHES ON
If you’re like me, you hate packing those wet toothbrushes into the toiletry bag just before checking out of your hotel room. So use the hotel’s hair dryer to dry out your toothbrushes. You can dry your own hair at the same time, and you won’t have to worry about damp, germy toothbrushes going straight into the bag.
—Tracy Putnam
Reading, Pennsylvania

SO WHAT IF WE’RE BAG LADIES?
Take advantage of the plastic bags hanging in your hotel closet by using them to sort your dirty clothes day by day. For example, I use one bag for dry clean–only items, another for colored clothes, and a third for lights and delicates. Separating them means that when I get home, I have a bag of items ready to go to the dry cleaners, and I can dump the others right into the appropriate laundry hamper.
—Denise Poole
Overland Park, Kansas

OR LEAVING YOUR SNOW GLOBES
If you’re on a trip and find yourself with an overstuffed bag, try mailing home your dirty clothes. You can send them in your smallest piece of luggage or a postal box. This saves you the hassle of rearranging your packed clothes to fit. Or even worse, having to pay extra airline fees for bringing along an overweight or additional bag.
—Becky O’Neill
Port Orange, Florida

THROUGH A SCANNER SMARTLY
At the airport security checkpoint, send your shoes and jacket through the X-ray machine before you send your carry-on. You can put them back on as you wait for your bag.
—Don Murphy
Catonsville, Maryland

THEY EVEN HOLD PAPER
I always take a few medium-size metal binder clips. They help save space when folding up the used end of a toothpaste tube, and they keep room curtains securely closed.
—A. Torres
Tucson, Arizona

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