There is something to be said about that wonderful feeling you get when you step into your clean RV before heading out on an adventure. In addition to the daily and weekly upkeep of a clean home on wheels, spring cleaning your RV is just as important.
When it comes to RV spring cleaning, there’s more to it than just making sure it is clean. Since it only comes around once a year, take advantage of this spring cleaning opportunity to do a really deep, thorough job on your rig. Take care of both the interior and exterior and catch up with any minor maintenance issues you may have been letting slide for a while.
Tips for Spring Cleaning Your RV
It may sound like a lot of work, but you’ll be thanking yourself when your RV is in proper, working order for many more springs to come. Not to mention nice and clean next time you’re ready to head out on vacation.
Ready to get started? Here’s how to tackle RV spring cleaning like a pro.
Stock up on supplies
Before you start your spring cleaning, you’ll need to make sure you have all the cleaners, tools, and supplies. Review what you already have to see if anything is running low. Spring is also a great time to restock any parts or accessories that need to be replaced. Make a list and head to your local RV dealership!
Make Sure You Have All Your Gear
Remember way back in the fall, before the holidays and cold and snow, when you boxed up all your camping equipment and put it away for the summer? Now it’s time to break it out again!
Dig through your house, basement, garage, and attic to find your camping gear. Inspect it all to make sure it is still in good condition. Be thorough: examine everything you’ll be using this summer, so you are not surprised in the middle of the season by a broken kayak.
Gear can include:
- RV maintenance supplies
- Kitchen accessories
- Hiking clothes
- Rain gear
- T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits
- Toiletries
- RV decorations
- Bikes, canoes, kayaks, ATVs, and other outdoor recreation equipment
- Fishing gear and tackle
- Games, toys, and sporting accessories
You can always make up a camping checklist to make sure you have everything you need to be packed away in your RV for the season!
Time to Get Cleaning
Like any big project, you’ll have better luck with your RV spring cleaning if you go in with a plan.
Although your rig’s exterior and motor maintenance are on the docket, it might be easiest to start with the most straightforward task: doing a deep cleaning of your RV’s interiors. At a minimum, that means doing a thorough disinfecting job on your RV’s kitchen and bathroom, as well as vacuuming the carpet, mopping the floor, and dusting down other surfaces. But if you live in your rig full time or camp often, you may also want to go through all your drawers and cabinets to get rid of old, outdated items crowding up your storage space.
From cleaning RV toilets to keeping your interior furniture looking nice and new, there are a few products that can help you do the job with ease and efficiency. For example, instead of opting for a full-on mop and bucket, many RV owners take care of their floors using a dry mop such as a Swiffer It’s especially important not to soak an RV’s floor, considering there are important mechanical systems just underneath it. Using one of these mop alternatives is also quicker and easier.
If you’re wondering how to clean your RV’s plastic sink or shower, the answer is that you need the right kind of product — and a little bit of patience, too. Sometimes the white plastic used in RVs has a tendency to stain, and using a quality RV bathroom cleaner can really help make the difference!
Don’t forget about your plumbing system, either. Spring cleaning is a great time to drain your tanks and use bleach to give them a thorough cleaning, and also to clean your holding tank sensors
Clean the Outside of Your RV
Once your RV is spic and span, it’s time to move on to the part of your RV that might not usually get as much attention — the exterior. Especially if your rig isn’t kept under cover while it’s not in use, it’s important to incorporate a thorough wash and roof check when spring cleaning your RV!
You can use a commercial auto cleaning product for most of your RV’s exterior since these are formulated to be safe on the paint used in the automotive industry. You’ll also need a brush with an extendable handle.
While you’re at it, get up on the roof to check your RV’s air conditioning casing for cracks, and also to do a check for any leaky seals which can lead to interior water damage.
Once everything is sparkling clean, take a seat on your RV’s sofa and daydream about all of the camping adventures ahead of you!
