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The best part of summer is being able to spend time in nature. Camping is a great way to spend quality time with the people you love. Camping brings people together in a way that not many other things can. After all, how can you not get closer when you’re isolated in the wilderness with just a few other people?

Even if it wasn’t always your favorite thing in the past, these hacks will make your experience SO much better. Here are 41 must know camping tricks that will make life so much easier. Among them is putting toothpaste on a paper plate – read on to find out more about how it can save you when you’re out camping!

These hacks can make your camping experience so much better – so if you’ve ever been on the fence about going camping, make sure to read these hacks and tips and tricks before you give camping a try.

Travel Coffee Bags

If you can’t go a day without your coffee, this hack is for you. Scoop up some coffee grounds and place them into a coffee filter. Tie it up with a tea bag, and store it away. Now you can make your coffee just like you would make tea.

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SC Johnson Source: SC Johnson

Candle Stakes

Who says camping can’t be romantic? You can create a beautiful scene using candles and craft dowels. Set them up, and watch the fire dance across the candles.

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A Subtle Revelry Source: A Subtle Revelry

Single Use Soap

If you love using bars of soap, you know that they aren’t exactly portable. The soap will get squishy and sticky if you try to re-pack it after using it. Instead, use a vegetable peeler to break up the soap into single-use leaves. Problem solved.

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Beth Anne Creates Source: Beth Anne Creates

Hand-Washing Station

It’s nice to be able to wash your hands, especially while camping. Make a portable hand-washing station using a laundry-detergent dispenser. Fill it up with water, and use it just like a faucet.

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No Meals On Wheels Source: No Meals On Wheels

Hang Pots and Pans

If you plan to use pots and pans on your trip, hang them around a tree. Tie a belt around a tree trunk, and hang the kitchenware using hooks. This will be so much more cleanly than stacking the cookware on the ground.

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Pinterest Source: Pinterest

DIY Tick Deterrent

Sure, you could buy some weird-smelling repellant from the stores. But it will be cheaper, healthier, and more pleasant to make it on your own. Mix one part tea tree oil and two parts water into a spray bottle. Spray it onto your shoes, socks, and the ends of your pants.

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Mommypotamus Source: Mommypotamus

Modified Match Holder

Striking a match can be quite an ordeal, but you can make your life a lot easier with a modified match holder. Stick sandpaper onto the top of your match container. Be sure to get strike-anywhere matches, and enjoy camping by a fire.

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Craftaholics Anonymous Source: Craftaholics Anonymous

TP Holder

Toilet paper is not very easy to transport. It can get squashed, dampened, and ripped up. Keep your TP in tact by repurposing an old coffee can.

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Field and Stream Source: Field and Stream

Store Spices

Empty Tic-Tac boxes make the perfect containers to store spices. They are stackable, portable, and easy to keep together. The best part is that the opening slot allows you to spice up your meals without dumping out way too much of each flavor.

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Skruben Source: Skruben

Seat Hammocks

If you are doing a little car camping, you are going to want these seat hammocks. They look SO fun and relaxing. You can buy yours here.

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Hayneedle Source: Hayneedle

Foam Floor Tiles

These pieces fit together perfectly, and the fact that they come apart makes them super portable. Place them on the bottom of your tent for a softer floor. You’ll be able to sleep so much easier.

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A Little Campy Source: A Little Campy

Instant Lantern

Not having access to electricity can be hard for some people. If you aren’t the type to fall asleep when the sun goes down, you’ll love this instant lantern. Strap a head lamp to a gallon jug of water, and you’ll have plenty of light.

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Listorama Source: Listorama

DIY Paint Lantern

For an even cooler lantern, try adding a splash of color. Paint the inside of a mason jar with non-toxic, glow-in-the-dark paint. You’ll have a beautiful light set up that your kids will love.

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Lindsay & Drew Source: Lindsay & Drew

Tin-Can Bread

Bake your bread inside a can to make it even more portable. Follow this link for yummy recipes like banana bread and sandwich bread. Making lunch will be a breeze!

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The Ready Store Source: The Ready Store

Know Your Poisons

Trust me, you DO NOT want to come into contact with poisonous plants on your camping trip. Study up on these plants before you go. That way you won’t have any unpleasant surprises on your trip.

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Medicine Net Source: Medicine Net

Mini First Aid Kit

It is a good idea to keep first aid supplies on hand. Use an old prescription bottle or an Altoids tin to keep necessities like bandages and gauze pads. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be prepared.

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Chasing Green Source: Chasing Green

Portable Lanterns

Make your own little oil lamp to keep the fun going after the sun has set. Modify a travel-sized shampoo bottle so you can always have a little light. Find the full tutorial here.

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Instructables Source: Instructables

Keep Mosquitoes Out

Dealing with mosquitoes has to be the worst part of camping. Fortunately, all you need are a few bundles of sage to keep these pests away. Add them to your campfire, and relax in peace.

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The Fertile Garden Source: The Fertile Garden

Biodegradable Trail Markers

Whenever you hike, it is a good idea to mark your trail. Nothing ruins an adventure like getting hopelessly lost. Use biodegradable tape to minimize your impact on the environment.

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Tower Magazine Source: Tower Magazine

Camp-Style Toilet

Going in nature isn’t for everyone. You can make your own camping toilet using a bucket and a crate. Find the full tutorial here.

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Root Simple Source: Root Simple

Unstick Your Zippers

Getting a zipper caught is the worst. In order to avoid this frustrating scenario, try using a little candle wax. Rub some wax from a cooled down candle on the zipper. It should glide with ease.

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REI Source: REI

Dry Your Sleeping Bag With Tennis Balls

If you have a down sleeping bag, you know that one of its best features is how fluffy it is. Keep the fluffiness going even after the bag is washed. Place a few tennis balls with the bag into the dryer, and it will keep its fluffy texture.

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REI Source: REI

Dry Your Phone In Rice

If you drop your phone into the water, all isn’t necessarily lost. Placing your phone in a bag of rice just might do the trick. Leave it sealed in the bag for 2-3 days, and let the rice soak up all the water.

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REI Source: REI

To Go Toothpaste

Dab toothpaste onto a paper plate. Then let them dry. Put them in a plastic bag and you have on the go toothpaste.

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Home Hacks Source: Home Hacks

Orange Candle

A little mood lighting is all you need to clearly change the tone of the trip. Make a candle out of an orange peel, and you will have the perfect lighting no matter where you are. To learn how, follow this tutorial.

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Instructables Source: Instructables

Store Silica Gel Packs

Keep silica gel packs in your cookware to prevent rust. The packs soak up any extra moisture around them, so they will keep your gear in great condition while you are out on the trails.

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REI Source: REI

Sleep On A Stuff Sack

If you are trying to pack light, you may want to leave the pillow at home. There are plenty of ways to ensure your head has a place to rest without wasting valuable space. Pack clothing into a stuff sack, and use it as a makeshift pillow. Sweet dreams.

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REI Source: REI

Dry Shoes With Newspaper

Bring a bit of newspaper with you on your next camping trick. When you return from your day’s adventure with soaked shoes, all you need to do is wrinkle up the newspaper and stuff it in each shoe. The water will dry right up, and your shoes will be ready for another day of adventures.

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According To Elle Source: According To Elle

Frisbee Plates

Plates take up a lot of extra room, and they aren’t exactly made of camping-friendly material. Ditch the plates and place your food on a frisbee instead. Camping is meant to be fun, right? So don’t be afraid to get a little silly.

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REI Source: REI

Bread Tag Hangers

Dry your wet clothing by hanging it on a clothesline. Didn’t bring hangers? No problem. Just use bread tags to hang your shirts.

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REI Source: REI

Cotton Swab Fire Starter

Campfires are great, but starting them can be tricky. We don’t all have the patience to rub two sticks together until they make a flame. These cotton swab fire starters take all the stress out of starting a fire. Just dip the swabs in wax and save them until you are ready for your next campfire.

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Life Hacker Source: Life Hacker

Freezer Bottles

Keep your fold cold and carry cool, refreshing water with you all in one hack. Freeze bottles of water and place them inside your ice chest. The frozen bottles will keep the other food refrigerated, and when they melt you will have plenty of cold water to drink.

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The Kitchn Source: The Kitchn

Keep Your Feet Cozy

Pack dry clothes into the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep your feet warm. The clothing will soak up any extra moisture found in the sleeping bag, so you will be cozy all night long.

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REI Source: REI

Line Your Pack

Line your pack with a heavy duty garbage bag. This way no matter what happens, your stuff will stay dry. You can never be too careful when camping.

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REI Source: REI

Keep Your Socks Safe

Do you ALWAYS lose random socks? Where on earth do they go?! Keep a pair of socks clean at all times by storing them in your sleeping bag. When you go to bed at night, you will have a pair of clean and dry socks waiting for you.

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REI Source: REI

DIY Camping Shower

One of the more inconvenient parts of camping is not being able to shower every day. Well, at least not being able to shower according to the standards you are used to. This DIY camping shower may not be as luxurious as the one you have at home, but it is going to feel great.

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Instructables Source: Instructables

Soothe Bug Bites

Did you know deodorant is a great solution for bug bites? Rub some on the affected areas, and they will be slowly soothed. Get your hands on some travel sized deodorant and you will be set for the summer.

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Things I Digg Source: Things I Digg

Make Your Own Activity Bags

There is nothing worse than sitting down to relax on your vacation and hearing a kid say, “I’m bored.” Fend off this boredom with custom made activity bags. Place an activity in each bag, and keep them handy for when the kids need something to do.

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