RV Stain Solutions + Campsite News

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SOLUTIONS FOR RV STAINS

Spot Checks

By Janet Groene

As women we’re up to date on treating common stains such as chocolate and lipstick, but RV life introduces new stubborn stains such as campfire soot, grass stains,  rubber skids and all the oily,  greasy goo it takes to keep machinery humming. 

Here are some stain solvers for RV life. 

First, it’s always important to make sure the treatment is safe for the fabric or surface. Read labels on garments, RV upholstery and gear and on the cleaning products themselves. Also, use the cleaning product according to label safety directions. Some are caustic, poisonous, flammable and/or allergenic. 

Most cleaners should be used only where there’s good ventilation. Most also  require rinsing with lots of water, which is a problem when you’re camping on limited water rations.  It’s always wise to test in a small area first and wear rubber gloves and eye protection. 

Grease stains can ruin jeans

* Engine oil and other greasy automotive stains are often a combination of grease and carbon and perhaps metal particles. They must be both dissolved and flushed out.  Surprisingly, the answer is to add more grease. Rub white shortening into grease spots on a washable fabric, such as your favorite jeans. Then launder in hot, soapy water. If the stain remains, rub in more shortening while the fabric is still damp and repeat. 

* If a garment is stained with soot, mix ½ cup dishwasher detergent in 2 quarts of hot water. (Don’t put bare hands in this brew.) Soak the garment overnight. Repeat if necessary, then launder normally. 

COOKING ABOARD YOUR RV

    For yourself or a gift,  Janet Groene's timeless RV cookbook is packed with shortcuts, tips and 270 easy, delicious recipes to cook inside the camper or outside on the campfire, camp stove or grill.  

https://amzn.to/3nNndWY 

* Oven cleaner can be used on the bottoms of pots that got sooty over the campfire. Rinse thoroughly. 

* Women have long known about using hair spray on ball point ink, but felt pens and grease pencils are a different story. The ink in colored felt pens used by kids usually comes out in the wash. For indelible ink used in felt pens and  laundry markers try denatured alcohol, then a wash with mild detergent. Treat grease pencil stains like other grease stains. 

* If a pot boils dry, remove as much of the loose crud as possible. Then fill the pan with a couple of inches of water and two or three tablespoons of baking soda. Bring to a boil, then let cool. Most of the debris will float loose. Scrape the rest or repeat the baking soda treatment. 

* If a stain removal calls for paint thinner, spend a little more to use mineral spirits instead. They are more highly refined, work better and stink less. 

* Besides chlorine bleach, bleaching agents include lemon juice, white vinegar diluted with water one to one, hydrogen peroxide 3 percent used full strength, and ammonia diluted two water to one part ammonia. Never mix ammonia and chlorine. 

* Dish washing  (not dishwasher) detergent is usually (but not always)  a good grease killer for washable fabrics and surfaces. Let it penetrate at least five minutes. Then rinse, rinse, rinse so no residue is left. When buying dish soap choose a clear liquid. Why add perfumes and dyes to the mix? 

Blot,  don't rub

* Unless it’s battery acid or other harmful caustic that requires immediate flushing, blot the stain. Don’t rub it in. With patient pressure and paper towels, or perhaps absorbent baking soda or cornstarch, much of the goo can be wicked up.  Work from the outside in so you don’t spread the spot.  

* RV and marine suppliers sell spray-on cleaners for black streaks that develop on RV siding after a rain.  Try Magic Eraser for small streaks and skids. 

* Harsh cleaners work fast but may remove color from fabric or  protective wax on painted surfaces, fiberglass or aluminum. Re-wax as needed. . 

See Janet Groene’s easy recipes for camping and RV trips at campandrvcook

          CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

CAMPGROUNDS CLOSING

Many government parks are closed.  We've heard about six closings in Smoky Mountains National Park plus lots of changes in BLM parks. Check ahead. In many cases closures are due to storm damage. In others,  budgets couldn't keep up with repairs and trash removal required because of abuse by slob campers.

Closed until further notice are campgrounds at Raystown Lake in Hesston, Pennsulvania ( see raystown.org) and Cowansque Lake in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania  (570) 835-5281.   U.S. Corps of Engineers campgrounds are affected. Non-government facilities and some day use facilities are reported to remain open. Check ahead for additional closures of government campgrounds. 

The city RV park in Lometa, Texas closed in January for budgetary reasons. The campground has 19 full hookup sites, and a dump station for a fee. Call for current information.  (512) 752-3331

CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS

     Facility improvements and additions in the Vulture Mountains Recreation Area in Arizona are entering Phase Two. The current phase and Phase Three will add a nature center, picnic areas,  trailheads, an amphitheater and campsites. When Phase Three is completed in Fall, 2026, campers can find here 80 RV sites, showers, restrooms and a dump station. Get updates at at MCDOTProjects@maricopa.gov or (602) 506-3342.

Daisy State Park In Kirby, Arkansas has a new Visitor Center and playground. The park is known for its  boating, fishing, hiking and camping.  See www.arkansasstateparks.com or call (870) 398-4487.

NEW CAMPGROUNDS, RV PARKS OPENING

The Yogi Bear Jellystone RV Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana will open May 21  as a first class family campground as well as a  major music venue. 

Amenities include full hookups, a café, golf cart rental, cabins, water features galore, a jumping pillow, mini-golf, gem mining, fishing and a laundry. A list of upcoming  performers will soon be posted on the website, Those announced so far include The Chee Weez on May 24,  Damon Troy and Louisiana Beat on May 31, The Paddio Daddios on June 7, Wayne Toups on June 14 and more through the summer. 

https://www.campspot.com/book/jellystone-park-lake-charles Call (337) 433-1114. 

EVENTS

Springtime brings spectacular blooms to Georgia, where you'll find festivals for cherry blossoms, strawberries, azaleas and more. One of largest is the annual Rhododendron Festival at Georgia Mountains Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. This year it goes on for a month from mid-April to mid-May. There are two campgrounds with more than 200 campsites, most of them with full hookups. Get reservations and tickets in advance. (www.) georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/

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