4 handy items you'll want to take on your next trip

Although you may already have a full suitcase, you won't regret making room to pack these four handy items. But what are they? And why should you bring them along? Here are the answers.

Throw a roll of tape into your suitcase and you'll quickly see how useful it is when you're on the road. You can use transparent tape to do numerous things, including:

• Reseal the caps of any liquids you open, like shampoo and hair gel, so they don't leak in your suitcase.
• Make emergency repairs on torn hems.
• Fix torn maps.
• Tape postcards and other mementoes into your travel journal.
• Tape together earrings, cufflinks, or any other tiny items that might go astray.
• Remove lint from dark clothes.
• Tape driving directions to the dashboard for quick reference (if you don't have a GPS).
• Tape stray buttons to their respective garments for repair upon returning to your hotel room.

The long plastic bags in which your morning newspaper or weekly supermarket fliers are delivered offer protection in your suitcase as well. They're just the right shape for shoes and hairbrushes.

• To keep dirt or hair from marring your other belongings, slip shoes and brushes into a bag of their own.

Clothespins — the lightweight, plastic clip-on type — don't take up much room in a bag and they more than earn the price of passage.

• Use clothespins to hang up the socks and dainties you wash out in the bathroom sink.
• Clip together maps and other documents with a few clothespins.
• You can draw draperies tightly together for privacy and keep light out with a clothespin or two.

Did you know that baking soda helps keep your fridge smelling fresh? It can also do the same for the contents of your suitcase. There's no need to tote a whole box, though.

• Just fill a pill bottle with baking soda and poke a few small holes in the top. A little might spill out in the course of your travels, but baking soda is unlikely to harm anything in your bag.

Baking soda does more than just help control odour.

• While on the road, you can dip into your stash to do anything from soaking your tired feet to cleaning a thermos.

Caution!
Baking soda may arouse suspicion when travelling by plane, so remove it prior to checking in for your flight.

You can hardly have enough self-sealing plastic bags with you when you're on a road trip or wilderness vacation. Bags of various sizes allow you to do so many things, including:

• Carry guidebooks and other sightseeing gear in the rain.
• Keep your head dry by making an instant (but not stylish) rain bonnet.
• Wear as a rain poncho – you'll need a large-size trash bag.
• Wrap your feet to keep them dry.
• Store dirty laundry.
• Store cotton balls and other toiletry items.
• Organize clothing in a suitcase.
• Store liquids that might spill.
• Collect trash.
• Save leftovers.
• Carry portable electronic devices and safeguard them from moisture.
• Carry crayons, pencils and other kids items.

Travelling is fun, but it's best to be prepared. Simply add these handy items to your suitcase and you'll always be ready for any unexpected situation.