A guide to cleaning your RV
Cleaning your RV is an important part of maintaining it and keeping it in good condition.
A clean RV not only looks better but it also helps prevent damage and extends the lifespan of your vehicle. Here’s a guide on how to clean your RV.
Before you begin cleaning your RV, you will need to get your cleaning supplies in order. You will need a bucket, hose, soft-bristle brush or broom, a wheel-cleaning brush, cleaning detergent (such as a RV cleaner or mild soap), a sponge or cloth and a squeegee. It’s important to use a cleaning solution that is safe for use on RV surfaces.
It is also best to avoid washing your RV on a hot day, as the water and soap will dry too quickly and you may end up with water streaks.
Washing the exterior
Begin by rinsing the exterior of your RV with a hose. This will remove any loose dirt and debris. Be sure to use a low-pressure setting on your hose to avoid damaging your RV’s exterior.
Then, using a mild, RV safe detergent, a soft brush or broom and a bit of elbow grease, gently scrub the surface of your RV. Be sure to avoid any decals or graphics. Work in small sections, starting from the top and working your way down, which will help prevent streaking and ensure you don’t miss any spots.
When you come across marks such as roadwork tar that won’t shift, try soaking a citrus-based product on the mark for a few minutes before washing it off.
Or if red dirt stains are your problem — as is often the case when travelling around Australia — a product called Red Stain Remover by Outback Cleaning Products might do the trick.
After washing, rinse the exterior with a hose again, ensuring you remove all the cleaning product and dirt. Use a squeegee to get rid of the excess water, then use a sponge or cloth to dry the exterior, which will prevent water spots and streaking.
Windows and flyscreens
Use a glass cleaner and soft cloth to clean the windows of your RV. Be sure to use a cleaner that is safe for use on RV surfaces, and avoid any abrasive materials that can scratch the glass.
The mesh flyscreens can also be tricky to keep clean, but a 20:80 vinegar and water solution and a good wipe over can make quick work of it.
Checkerplate
There are plenty of products on the market for keeping your checkerplate shiny and clean, but make sure you are careful about which ones you use as some can scratch the metal or make it vulnerable to corrosion. A dedicated aluminium cleaner is a safe bet, while other RV drivers have suggested Gumption as an easy, cheap option to get the worst of the dirt off.
Tyres
While the top coat of dirt on and around your tyres may have come off with the hose, it’s worth putting in some elbow grease with a bucket of warm, soapy water and a wheel-cleaning brush. Then, wipe the wheels with a suitable polish wax.
A-frame
And don’t forget to give your A-frame some love. Give it a good scrub or sponge and use bug and tar remover where needed as the A-frame can take a bashing. If there are any chips to the paint, touch them up to prevent corrosion.
A non-solvent-based protector is also worth the time. Spray it on then wipe over the surface of the A-frame with a soft rag. The protector brightens up the paint and plastic and has the added bonus of leaving an all-weather protective coating to the surfaces.
Heading indoors
Once you have cleaned the exterior of your RV, it’s time to clean the interior. First up, remove any trash or clutter that has built up, then give it a vacuum to remove any dust, dirt or debris from the floors and upholstery.
Use a mild cleaner and soft cloth to wipe down the surfaces such as countertops, tables and cabinets. Be sure to avoid any areas that may be sensitive to certain cleaning products (such as timber or leather).
Be sure to give all cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom a thorough wipe down as regularly as you can, as these can be the areas where water damage or mould can wreak havoc and the sooner you catch it, the better.
Cleaning the bathroom is never a fun time, but it’s a necessary evil. Soap scum build-up can occur quickly in the shower cubicle and require scrubbing to get rid of, but you’ll be much happier starting the next trip with a fresh shower. It’s also an idea to keep a cloth in the bathroom when in use to dry down the walls after use.
If you use a cassette toilet, this too will need some attention after each trip. When empty, pour cleaning product or even citric acid and warm water into the bowl and allow it to sit for a few hours, then empty it. And don’t forget to regularly wipe the outside with a damp cloth.
Final touches
Finally, every RV deserves a good air out — particularly after you’ve cleaned it. Open up the windows and doors to help dry out any remaining moisture and remove lingering odours (even if they’re just cleaning products at this point) and allow fresh air to circulate through your vehicle.
In summary, cleaning your RV is an important part of maintaining your vehicle. Remember to use cleaning solutions that are safe for use on your RV’s surfaces, and always work in small sections to ensure you don’t miss any spots. While it can seem like an unwelcome chore at the end of a nice trip, maintaining a good cleaning regime will help keep your RV looking great and extend its lifespan. Not to mention, you’ll be all set and ready to go next time the travel bug gets you.
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