I have learned over the last two years that it really is worth it to stock the RV as much as possible for the entire season. I used to go through a toiletry and cleaning supply checklist before each and every trip, hauling shampoo, paper towels, and diapers out to the camper the night before leaving.
Mostly this is because I’m not a spender. I resisted the big stock up shopping trip, preferring to add extra work for myself each and every time we traveled. Well, I’ve wised up a bit, and now I know the items I can buy at the beginning of the season in March that will last through to winterization sometime in November. Here are three of my favorite products that you will ALWAYS find in my RV.
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Cleaning Products
Things tend to get a little dirty when you are camping with kids. This doesn’t bother me as long as I have our favorite cleaning products on hand. At home, I tend to use a lot of lemon juice, vinegar, and essential oils. But in the small space of the RV, I love the subtle and soothing scents of the Mrs. Meyers Clean Day products. Honeysuckle is my current favorite, and Radish and Lemon Verbena have made appearances during previous camping seasons.
What makes these cleaning products perfect for the RV? A couple of things. First of all, the all-purpose cleaner comes in a concentrate. So if I buy one refillable spray bottle and a bottle of concentrate, I have enough cleaner for an entire camping season. I love anything I can stock once in the Spring and forget about it for a year. The next selling point is that I can buy all my products in one scent—hand soap, dish soap, counter spray, laundry detergent, etc. It is lovely not to have strong, competing fragrances going head to head in a small space.
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil
Baby Head-To-Toe Wash & Shampoo
This product may be labeled as baby shampoo, but I have yet to find a body wash that I like better. I use this organic, all-natural product as both body wash and shampoo for my three boys. The subtle, gender neutral scent means that the adults are happy to use it also.
Why does SheaMoisture get so many RV Brownie Points? Anyone who knows the size of an RV tub also knows that you can only keep so many products in the there at one time. Bar soap is messy and always winds up on the floor. This shampoo and body wash can be used by all five members in my family AND sits nicely on one of the three little shelves of the RV shower stall. It’s a keeper.
Dollar Shave Club Razors and Shaving Products
When Jeremy first signed up for this monthly razor delivery club, I looked away and rolled my eyes. Now I am hooked on it also. For a reasonable monthly fee, you get new razors blades and whatever additional products you choose delivered straight to your home. Forget about standing in the store trying to remember which brand you have at home. And the quality far outstrips anything you pick up at the big box stores.
So why does the Dollar Shave Club fit perfectly into the RV lifestyle? This company has a great tagline: Don’t Pay the Pink Razor Tax. Exactly. Why should I use a different razor brand than Jeremy (usually of lower quality)? With the monthly delivery, we can easily stock the camper with enough razor blades for both of us, and it becomes another toiletry item that I have completely checked off of my list for the season.
Stocking and maintaining the RV during the camping season can definitely take some effort. Anything that makes it just a little bit easier deserves a whole lot of credit. These three products are champs in my book. What products get your RV seal of approval?
You guys are so organized– we’re the family that forgets the toothbrushes at least several times a summer.
No.No.No. We are the type that don’t even own a diaper bag. So we have to make quite an effort to be prepared or we wind up without blankets and pillows (yes, has happened). Making a concerted effort to improve:-)
So for the razors, do you have a second subscription to the club for the RV or are you just saving some blades and move them over to the RV from time to time? I assume you also ordered a second handle that lives in the RV.
Hey Brett,
Just one subscription. I bought an extra razor and I am backed up on razors–I don’t use my monthly allotment. I thought I was saving money when just I was using the razors–now that Stephanie is on board we are definitely saving. You can have the razors developed b-monthly as well. What we should have mentioned in the post is that I love LOVE their shaving cream.