Cleaning & Disinfecting Your RV

Owning an RV can bring you many great memories over the years, whether you camp with your family, your friends, or travel solo. However, such a big investment also requires a lot of upkeep and one of the essential tasks you can tackle to keep your camper in good shape is basic cleaning. This won’t be much different from the chores you perform at home, but there are a few tips we can give you to make this process easier. 

Gather Your Supplies

First, you’ll want to collect your cleaning supplies. This way, you don’t have to go looking for anything while you’re trying to work and you’ll know if you need to run to the store to pick up supplies before getting started. You might not have space to store big items, so look for multi-use compact cleaning products that you can bring along on your camping trips.

Supplies for cleaning and disinfecting your RV could include bleach, buckets, a spray cleaner, a glass cleaner, paper towels, cloth rags, a broom and dustpan, a mop, a vacuum cleaner, trash bags, scrub brushes, and dust cloths. Remember that the harsh chemicals in some of these products can be damaging to your camper. Double-check with your owner’s manual before using something that might wear down your camper unnecessarily.

Disinfect Surfaces

Wipe down every flat surface on your travel trailer with dust cloths and a spray cleaner. If you want to sanitize surfaces, you can use bleach wipes or a disinfectant with at least 70% alcohol to kill germs and remove dirt and other impurities. You’ll also want to make sure you clean out all crumbs from kitchen cabinets so that your RV isn’t infested with pests in storage.

Bathroom

In such a small space, your bathroom can get dirty quickly. The toilet in particular is going to be rife with germs, so you’ll want to clean it at least once a week. Before spraying a disinfectant, remember to fill the bowl with water. Make sure to flush a few times so that no product is left over to avoid having to start over again. The rest of the bathroom will also need to be cleaned regularly, although every other week should do. Don’t forget to clean the shower, the mirror, and the floor.

Bedroom

One of the biggest concerns in your camper’s bedroom will be the mattress. Like any mattress, it requires special care. If you notice it’s becoming smelly or dirty, you can try sprinkling some baking soda on the surface (let it sit and then vacuum it up). If this doesn’t help to freshen up the mattress, you might need to flip it or replace it with a new one. Essential oils can also be a fantastic way to quickly clear away odors. Remember to wash linens regularly and take some time to clear out any clutter that might make your sleeping space feel smaller. 

Floor

When it comes to the floors of your camper, you’re likely to see plenty of mud and dirt being tracked in from outside. How you tackle cleaning them depends on the kind of floor you have. If you have hard floors, then use a small broom, a dustpan, and a collapsible mop to help you with the cleaning. You can also use disinfectant wipes if you have some on hand. If you have a carpet, then you’ll want to use a hand vacuum. Using a hand vacuum will require more work, but it’s easier to store and it won’t take up as much space.

Washing the Exterior

Wash your RV thoroughly after every major trip and also before putting it into storage. Use gentle detergents and soft brushes so that there’s no risk of damaging the surface. You can use a power washer to clear away the tough grime. Just remember to keep your distance and don’t aim the nozzle in one spot for too long. You’ll also want to wash and rinse in small patches so that the soap doesn’t dry on the surface.

Other Details

It may come as a surprise, but small, quick touch-ups can go a long way towards keeping your camper clean and fresh. For example, get into the habit of wiping down the windows and letting in natural light to brighten up your space. You should also dust the surfaces in your RV, including your electronics and appliances, to avoid dust build-up that might cause allergic reactions.

When you’re ready to shop for an RV in Illinois, stop by our Rockford dealership to browse our inventory of new and used campers for sale. Sunny Island RV is proud to serve our customers in greater Chicago and Naperville, IL.