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.

IT’S A FLY-BY STARCHING
Before flying, I spray any cotton clothes I’m bringing with starch, let them dry, then  cover them with plastic bags. When I get to my hotel, I immediately iron them. Now I don’t need to take a can of starch with me.
—
Anne Johnson
Stockton, California

IT ALSO DOUBLES AS DUCT TAPE
I use the airport claim tag attached to my suitcase to remove lint from my clothing after a flight. I usually keep a few of them for future use. This saves me from taking up space bringing a lint-roller.
—
Lisa Peercy
Nashville, Tennessee

JUAN VALDEZ STRIKES AGAIN
Most of the time, the coffee I find in hotel rooms isn’t exactly of the highest quality. So I bring a baggie of my favorite coffee and enough two- to four-cup sized coffee filters (to fit the hotel room coffeepots) for the trip. Now my mornings feel more like home.
—
Paul Cunningham
Omaha, Nebraska

LET THE BUYER BE AWARE
Before traveling, I keep an Excel spreadsheet with the names and addresses of people to whom I want to send postcards. When I’m on the road, I make sure to bring two spreadsheets with me—
one for postcards, the other for the souvenirs I pick up. That way, I can easily keep track of what gift or postcard I bought for which person.
—
Sylvia Remus
Western Springs, Illinois

ONE BAG FITS ALL
When taking a vacation with the family, I always bring an empty, rolling carry-on and put everyone’s personal carry-on (backpack, purse, Gameboy) inside. This ensures I only have one bag to drag through the airport terminal and send through security. Even better, I have the added bonus of an extra, empty bag where I can store gifts, dirty clothes, or souvenirs for the return trip.
—
Angela Standridge
Houston

THEY’RE SHOE-INS
Save those complimentary shower caps you find in the hotel bathroom. You can slip them over your shoes when packing for home, preventing scuffs and stains.
—
Betsy Dawes
Atherton, California

TAKE RING, CALL IN THE MORNING
If you have a lot of small pieces of jewelry tossed into your handbag or luggage, you can keep them safe and accessible by storing them in a seven-day pillbox.
—
Kitty Massey
Los Angeles

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