Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 23:13:55 -0400
Reply-To: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject: Re: extended trip hygene
In-Reply-To: <37947.216.253.218.250.1086712805.squirrel@www.spam-manager.com>
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I recommend two "doormats" - one for the ground outside the van to get off
the worse of the mud and leaves and stuff, a second inside the door which is
easier to pull out and shake off than the whole carpet.
If you can do it, I'd also recommend not eating in your van. At least
nothing with crumbs or powdered sugar! Helps keep out infestations of ants
and things (which I have, alas :-). Also lots of big ziplock bags, they
are great for open food, also for keeping maps dry, and storing most
anything else. And throw out the trash constantly - helps keep bugs down
too.
Lots and lots of small cheap clamps (available at Home Depot, auto supply
places, etc.) to hang stuff from the poptop bar, the ledges, etc. - gets it
out of your way (that's for tidiness, not cleanliness). I regularly hang
wet towels and bathing suits, garbage bag, dirty laundry bag, and anything
else that's in my way.
I like having big zippered mesh bags - for clothes, dirty laundry, etc.
Whether you need those depends on how much clothes you're bringing. Since I
have all of mine in the van, I accumulate dirty laundry, things that aren't
clean enough to put back in the drawer but not dirty enough for the laundry,
etc.
I stay at campgrounds and take showers and do laundry regularly - so
personal cleanliness is much as at home. You might consider a sun shower,
though, and perhaps rig up some way to have a shower curtain off the back of
the van, if you're not going to be in campgrounds.
Have fun!
Joy
****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
****************************************************************
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Chris S.
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 12:40 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: extended trip hygene
> Hello all,
>
> I'm going to drive around the USA near the end of summer.
>
> I'm fairly confident I'll keep the van running for the whole time, but I'm
> concerned with keeping things clean.
>
> Not only myself, but the Westy.
>
> What tricks have you learned?
I keep a short hand broom made of natural fibers, some heavy-duty paper
towels and a box of armol-all wipes in the Westy. The stiff bristles of
the broom get into the nooks and crannies and brush the carpet clean, the
towels can be used along with water and soap (I only take soft soap
camping) to clean interior, and the Armoll-All wipes do magic on dusty
dashboards.
For me, I take a 5-gallon water container, some antibacterial wipes and
washcloths. This enables me to shower at night in remote places, and in
the cool night air the water that has warmed all day does not feel bad at
all. It also comes in handy for impromptu parkin lot cooldowns. The
antibacterial wipes are for in-between clean-ups and double up as a handy
dishwashing rag, but not simultenously, of course.
I also bought several sets of performance apparel made from moisture
wicking materials (Coolmax is one) which are very breathable, feel very
cool, don't hold moisture, dry very quickly, and more importantly, don't
stink up like cotton does. I have shorts, shirts, socks and underwear
made form this stuff. I generally wash one set in the evening to be ready
for a change the next night.
Chris S.
'85 Wolfsburg Westy "Camel"
http://www.knology.net/~vw/dadada.jpg
