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4 Simple Do-It-Yourself Camping Hacks

The best thing about camping is slinging back beers and making s’mores by the fire, but the one thing no one talks about is the amount of work and planning required to live comfortably outdoors. We’ve got you covered with four hacks that help you maximize your stay with minimal effort — Karen Cho

MILK JUG AMBIENT LAMP

Take an empty two- or four-litre milk jug and strap a headlamp around it. Voila! You’ve got an instant lantern that emits a soft light.

PLUNGER WASHING MACHINE

Fill a bucket with water, detergent and dirty clothes. Pump a clean plunger up and down for about five minutes. Empty dirty water and fill with clean water. Repeat pumping for two minutes. Squeeze out clothing when done and air dry.

POTATO CHIP FIRE STARTER

Grab a handful of Doritos or Cheetos and make a small tower in a fire pit. Light with a match or lighter. Add more chips for a larger fire. Corn based chips work best because they’re greasier.

PANTYHOSE SOAP HOLDER

Cut the gusset off an old pair of pantyhose. Slip a bar of soap into one of the legs and then tie to a faucet or tap. The soap won’t fall to the ground and will always stay dry.