Why A Clothespin Is A Truly Underrated Travel Item, According To Samantha Brown

When it comes to packing for a trip, most travelers generally tend to focus on the obvious essentials: Clothes, toiletries, chargers, travel documents, and maybe even a good book. However, beyond the basics and must-haves, seasoned globetrotters know that, sometimes, it's the smallest, most unexpected items that can make the biggest difference. Enter: the humble clothespin. A tiny tool that might just revolutionize how you travel, according to travel expert Samantha Brown.

Known for her shows on the Travel Channel and PBS, Brown knows a thing or two about traveling far and wide — and doing it well. From teaching viewers about the unspoken rules of airplane seating to her go-to coffee rules to help fight travel tiredness, Brown is full of practical travel tips and wanderlust inspiration.

On top of that, Brown has also long been an advocate for thinking outside the box when it comes to travel accessories — and her advice on traveling with clothespins is no exception. "Clothespins are such an underrated travel item" she wrote in a recent blog post. "The main reason you'll want them? To help hold curtains in a hotel room together. I swear no matter where I stay, those dang curtains never quite meet in the middle."

While Brown's curtain hack is pretty clever on its own, the versatility of clothespins goes far beyond just keeping out the morning light when you need an extra hour or two of shut-eye. In fact, these tiny tools can double as powerful problem-solvers in lots of different situations.

For starters, traveling with clothespins to use them for their intended purposes is always a good idea. This includes everything from hanging up wet bathing suits in the bathroom to securing any quick laundry you might have washed in your hotel room sink. Speaking of hotel sinks, clothespins are also a great way to help keep your toothbrush off potentially germy bathroom counters. To do this, clip a clothespin around the thinnest part of your toothbrush to create a stand — and voilà, no more touching.

On top of that, other clothespin uses include keeping wrapped cords and cables tidy and labeled, using them as chip clips to help keep your snacks fresh, clipping them to pin down towels to your beach chair, and even having them double as bookmarks so you never miss a page.

Clothespin hacks aside, Brown's same blog also digs deep into other unexpected items that can help make any trip or vacation just a little more manageable. Among her recommendations are basics such as bandanas — which can serve as everything from sun protection to makeshift tissues, cooling rags, and even spill-proof bibs — as well as baby swaddling cloths, which she suggests can double up as light blankets, cleaning cloths, or even pillow covers. Brown also suggests carrying a small amount of duct tape in case of emergency repairs, as well as Ziploc bags to help waterproof valuables and store delicate belongings safely.

In addition to these, and as a great tip for readers who tend to travel a lot, Brown also suggests bringing along your favorite coffee mug to help give yourself a sense of security and home comfort while traveling. Along with this, she also recommends packing a cut-up sponge soaked in dish soap — just make sure you let it dry fully to avoid a mess — for easy access to cleaning supplies while you're far from home.