SPRING CLEANING

Check out these ideas to help you de-clutter your RV

WORDS BY LINDA BLOFFWITCH, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MY AUSSIE TRAVEL GUIDE

When travelling, it’s tempting to try and pack everything you have at home into your RV. Even if you’re a seasoned traveller, items can easily begin to accumulate. Not only does the weight quickly add up, but nine times out of ten, you can be carrying items that are rarely used, or not at all. Let’s look at a few tips to help de-clutter and ultimately reduce your RV’s weight.

CROCKERY

Weight quickly adds up when you carry heavy crockery. Most dinner sets cater for 4 or 6 people, so consider whether you can reduce this number to shed some weight if only two of you are travelling. Alternatively consider lighter weight products like melamine and Corelle, which can travel better as they are break resistant.

KITCHEN ITEMS

It’s surprising how many kitchen gadgets we can accumulate over time. Under bench RV cupboards are often deep, meaning contents can get pushed to the back and disappear into the abyss! Periodically check the contents of your kitchen cupboards and drawers and aim to travel with items that have multiple uses. Plastic microwaveable containers are great travelling companions as they can be used to store leftovers in the fridge and also make ideal mixing bowls. Look for products such as lightweight stackable saucepans and collapsible items as they’re perfect for reducing weight.

GROCERIES 

Gone are the days where supermarkets were few and far between when travelling. So filling your RV’s pantry to the brim only increases weight. Consider your travelling route so that you can plan your meals ahead and accommodate your grocery needs accordingly. Aim to support local businesses where possible.

USAGE FREQUENCY 

Many RVers implement the “dot and date” approach when travelling to determine an item’s frequency use. Placing sticker dots and a date on each item will enable you to keep track of when (and if ) it has been used. When the item is used, remove the dot to demonstrate its use. Consider leaving anything out when planning your next trip where stickers remain after a specific time period.

OUTSIDE STORAGE

When it comes to spring cleaning, remember to include your RV’s outside storage as well. Check boots, tunnel boots and tool boxes to determine whether any items can be left behind. Multi-tool gadgets are a great way to help reduce carrying multiple and heavier tools and collapsible buckets are also a good alternative to heavier types.

Travelling light doesn’t always come naturally, so getting into the habit of reviewing and reducing your RV’s contents periodically makes sense. Not only will it help you travel with just the essentials, it also helps to keep the weight down thus saving some dollars by reducing your vehicle’s fuel consumption. So that makes it a win win situation.