Top tips for picking a campsite

• "If you use storage bins for kids' toys, help them stay organized by labeling the bins with illustrations or even printed and laminated photos of the contents. It will make clean-up time a cinch, even for the little tykes who can't read yet!" – D. in Michigan

• Bobby pins are easily manageable in a magnetic container meant for paper clips. They are inexpensive and can be found at big-box stores or at an office-supply store.

• Save and organize scrap yarn and embroidery threads on clothespins. Wind around and use the clip to hold the end in place. When you need some thread or yarn, you'll be able to find the end quickly to get what you need.

• "Kids love getting water from the refrigerator dispenser, but we use far too many cups. Now, everybody has his or her own cup for water only, and we attached magnets to the cups so they live on the side of the fridge. Get water, drink, replace cup. Easy!" – A.L. in Alabama

• "Coil pipe cleaners around the outside of regular plastic hangers. They will keep tank tops and spaghetti straps from falling off the hanger.

• Plastic wrap, parchment paper and foil can be stored easily in the same cabinet as pots and pans if you line them up in a magazine holder.

• "Dust from the top down, and clean walls from the bottom up. Dust falls, so by the time you get to the bottom, you've got it all, but drips are easier to clean off when the wall is already clean." – I.M. in Ohio

• Here's how to ballpark the temperature of your camping fire for cooking. Arrange a cooking pot over the fire. A Dutch oven works best. Hold your hand about even with the side. Beginning at 550, count backward by 50, i.e., 550, 500, 450. When you have to remove your hand, you'll have an approximate temperature of the coals.

• "Got a great pair of jeans with a zipper that just won't stay up? Try this fantastic fix. Take a metal ring (like the one on a keychain) and feed it through the zipper pull. Then zip up. When you get to the top, loop the metal ring around the button, then button up the jeans. That barn door is staying closed!" – S. in Oregon

• You can thread a needle better if you spray the thread end with hairspray. It stiffens the fiber, which will then stay straight.

• "After hand-washing an item, rather than wringing it out, place it between two towels and just run a rolling pin over the top towel." – A.D. in New York

• Use an old lip brush to take care of stray nail polish mistakes when you're painting your nails. It's MUCH better than trying to use a cotton swab, since no strands of cotton get left behind. A lip brush is small and tight, so it can get into precision spots. You can use a cotton pad with a little nail polish remover on it to clean it up after you're done.

• You can keep little office items like paper clips, push pins, etc., organized in a drawer by using an ice-cube tray. It makes a great organizer for different sizes of nails, too.

• When shopping around for electronic equipment — especially computer-related items and such — make sure you factor in the cost of necessary accessories. Many products don't come with all the cords, batteries, memory chips, etc., that you'll need. Oftentimes, these can make a big difference in what seems like a really good deal.

• "Baking soda is good for so many uses in the home, especially the kitchen. Here's another you might not have considered: If you have a glass-top range, fill an empty Parmesan cheese container (the shaker kind, with large holes) with baking soda to keep by the stove. Use the baking soda to clean burned-on spills with a damp sponge. If you have a pan fire, it's a great way to put that out, too." – R.E. in Florida

• When choosing your campsite, here are some helpful things to note: The wind direction, so that you aren't downwind of a neighboring site's fire; where the sun will rise and set, so that you can be prepared for the early morning light and enjoy the sunset; and whether there are any healthy trees affording some cover, in case of a rainstorm.

• "I love chocolate-covered popcorn, but it goes stale quickly and is pretty costly. Now I make my own. Line a tray or cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pop about 6 cups of popcorn, and season with salt and butter to your liking. Then melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave. Toss the popcorn and the melted chocolate together in a large bowl, and arrange on the parchment. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and break into pieces. Enjoy!" – C.E. in Ohio

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(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.