With summer on the horizon, many people are dusting off their RVs with every intention of getting back on the road. Unfortunately, this also means a start-of-the-season deep clean, including both the outside and inside of the vehicle.
Cleaning your RV’s interior can be a massive undertaking. There’s a lot to consider! You need to focus on the best products, methods, and timeframe to get your vehicle ready for all the adventures you plan to have. It might seem daunting to dive into a deep clean if you’re not prepared.
This article will guide you through the easiest ways to clean your RV’s interior, so you can get back on the road!
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Top Tips for Cleaning Your RV’s Interior
So, what’s the best way to get your home away from home into top shape? Here are 7 simple tips for cleaning your RV’s interior to make it faster, safer, and easier than ever before.
1. Have the Right Tools for the Job
There are a number of things you need to clean your RV’s interior, but the basics can be broken down into a short list:
- Vacuum
- Broom and dustpan
- Brushes and cloths
- Gloves
- Water bucket
- Cleaning products (for all surfaces)
- Paper towels
One of the most important products here is the vacuum. Make sure you invest in a good vacuum cleaner that has attachments for reaching into the trickiest corners. This will keep your RV looking and feeling fresh between deep cleans. If you’re not sure which to buy, Spotless Vacuum’s list of vacuums for cars is a good place to start, as these models are also great for RVs.
You’ll also want to have the right cleaning solution for the surfaces you’re cleaning, including tile, glass, and countertops. You can clean an RV with nearly all the same products you use in your home. Just make sure to test your products before committing fully to avoid discoloration, just like you would at home.
2. Keep a Chore Day Checklist
You’ll want to keep a list of all of your tasks so that when cleaning day comes, you don’t forget anything. Keep this list printed out or on your phone, and refer back to it whenever you’re stuck on where to go next.
It might be helpful to you to break that list down into rooms, such as a list for the bathroom, main living area, bedrooms, and driver area. You could also break it down based on task; you might have a section for vacuuming, taking out trash, organizing, and wiping down. The point is to have your list in small chunks that you’ll be more likely to remember.
3. Clean on the Right Day
When choosing a day to clean your RV, make sure you’ve got the right weather for the job. You want a warm, clear day that isn’t too humid.
This is because you need to keep the doors windows of your RV open while you’re cleaning. Many cleaning products have harsh chemicals and fumes that can damage your lungs if inhaled in a closed-off space. You need to work in a well-ventilated space, and in an RV, that means keeping air moving through doors and windows.
On top of this, excess water buildup from cleaning can lead to mold and mildew if not dried properly. Keeping everything open will help to dry and air out the interior.
4. Watch for Maintenance Concerns
Cleaning the interior of your RV means that you’re going over the entire thing with a fine-toothed comb. This gives you the perfect chance to look for anything that might need more than a scrub down to fix.
Keep an eye on your window seals and locking mechanisms, storage spaces, and driver’s area while cleaning. If anything looks worn down, damaged, or otherwise in need of repairs, note it down. This will help you keep your RV in top safe working condition.
5. Move from the Top Down
Most RV manufacturers recommend starting with the very top of your interior and moving downwards, saving the floor for last. This makes sense; cleaning your floors first would just mean cleaning them again at the end anyway. It also gives you a solid method to follow for consistent cleaning.
Start with a quick wipedown of the ceiling, vents, and filters. Move down to the windows and walls, then your cabinets and countertops. Fabric and upholstery come next, as those can be time-consuming and more involved. They recommend cleaning the bathroom next to last because of the kinds of chemicals needed. Finally, clean the floors.
6. Remember the Storage Spaces
RVs are built to store as much as possible in a small space, which means there are lots of tucked-away storage spaces that might get missed or forgotten on a day-to-day basis. This can lead to the buildup of dust, dirt, and other grime over time.
Remember to go through all of your storage spaces when you’re doing your deep cleaning. This includes cabinets, benches, consoles, and closets.
Empty them out, wipe them down, and reorganize the items you keep in them. You’ll be more likely to remember where everything is if you physically handle it while cleaning.
7. Stay On Top of Daily Cleaning
One way to make deep cleaning your interior easier is to make daily cleaning part of your routine. You can do this in a few different ways.
- Let your bathroom dry out after showers. This means leaving the fan on and doing a quick wipe-down of your mirrors and walls.
- Keep your kitchen counters clean. Use cutting boards whenever possible and consider investing in placemats to contain spills.
- Regularly tidy your RV. Do a quick round of dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming whenever you’ve got the time.
This and other small cleaning tasks can make a huge difference to your quality of life on the road.
Keeping Your RV’s Interior Clean
Here are the basic takeaways to keep in mind:
- Have the proper cleaning and safety supplies for the job.
- Keep a chore day checklist so that you can stay organized.
- Clean on a warm, clear, not-too-humid day for safe ventilation.
- Watch for maintenance concerns and write them down.
- Move from the top down for easy cleaning.
- Remember to check and clean the storage spaces.
- Stay on top of daily cleaning to make deep cleans easier.
Keeping your RV clean is a part of good RV ownership. You should be able to take pride in your space, and that means making sure that your vehicle is safe, clean, and fun to inhabit. It’s your home-away-from-home, after all!
Last Updated on April 29, 2021
