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Everyone remembers Angus MacGyver, the eponymous hero of 80s television sensation MacGyver. But what did we really learn from him? Well, first of all: duct tape can be a whole lot more useful than anyone ever imagined. And second of all, every problem has a solution, as long as you're willing to get a little bit creative with the tools you use to solve it. Here are seven travel-related snafus, along with a handy-dandy, DIY-style remedy for each. Just don't forget to throw that duct tape in your carry-on.

 

 

Problem: There's a dent in your rental car. And it's been put there by you.



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You’ll Need: The hotel room hairdryer (as long as it isn’t fixed to the wall) and a nearby office supply store, so you can run out and buy a can of compressed air.
How to MacGyver It: Have a go at popping the dent out yourself by heating it with a hairdryer for about thirty seconds,  then spraying the spot with a can of compressed air---hold it upside down---for ten. The heat from the hairdryer followed by the coolness of the air should give you the solution you want. Get rid of all evidence by wiping the compressed air residue away with your t-shirt. Hey, everyone has a t-shirt.

Problem: You accidentally washed your passport. It looks pretty...wrinkled.

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You’ll Need: That little iron they give you in the hotel room.
How to MacGyver It: According to the U.S. Department of State, if a passport is "damaged or mutilated," you have to apply in person for a new one. If that sounds like a major hassle, try ironing it to restore it to its former glory. Once you've done that, you can process it like a normal renewal---which, thankfully, can be done the lazy person's way: by mail. One caveat, though: this will likely only work if your passport is one of the older ones, without that electronic chip.

Problem: The weather is great, but those mosquito bites are driving you crazy.

You’ll Need: A bar of the free hotel room soap. If you don’t have soap, aspirin or toothpaste (you have toothpaste, right?) will also work.
How to MacGyver It: Rub the soap or toothpaste over your bites and the relief should be pretty instant. Or crush an aspirin up to make a paste with water---or saliva, if you're really desperate.

Problem: The flash on your camera is making all your vacation snaps come out way too washed-out.

You’ll Need: A coffee filter (the coffee-making station in your hotel might have a free one.)
How to MacGyver It: Just place the coffee filter over the flash to diffuse the light. Sure, you might look a little dorky, but your pictures will come out great.

Problem: The hotel blackout drapes are gaping open, plus the red light on your TV is flashing. You need to fall asleep now or you’ll miss your 5am flight!

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You’ll Need: Duct tape
How to MacGyver It: Tape the gaping curtains shut with several strips of duct tape, then tear off another strip and use it to cover the light on the TV.  (Other good uses for duct tape include a makeshift lint roller, if you pet the dog at that B&B and end up covered in dog hair, and also---in a pinch---a band-aid, if you place some TP around the wound first.)

Problem: You brought an expensive bottle of champagne back to the hotel room.....but it’s warm.


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You’ll Need: A few free packets of salt (and a quick trip to the ice machine, but that's no surprise, is it?)
How to MacGyver It: Chill a bottle fast by putting it in a bucket with ice around the base. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of salt on the ice, then layer the salt and the ice until the bucket is full. Fill it with water and wait ten minutes. Voila---a perfectly chilled bottle of bubbly.

Problem: You’re all ready to drive to the slopes, but the windscreen of your rental car is covered in ice.

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You’ll Need: That credit card you maxed out buying the champagne.
How to MacGyver It: Congratulations, you’re using the world’s smallest ice scraper! Chisel away at the ice---double-fisted if you grab a second credit card---until your windscreen is clear. (PS: If you suddenly need to impress someone on vacation with your mad guitar-playing skills, but don’t have a pick, you can use a credit card for that too. Even better if it's an expired one you can cut into smaller pieces.)