RV Spring Cleaning, detail view of vent filter being cleaned
Once all areas of your ceiling have been addressed, move down to the walls. Apply the same steps you did with the ceiling. Wipe all areas of your walls! This includes cabinets and doors as well. I know this can feel like a lot, so if you feel a bit overwhelmed, just have your kids draw on the walls ... with the rags. They'll never know the difference, right? ;) Hang in there, this is the toughest part!
This includes countertops, your front dash, chairs, couches, and TVs.
Wash all bed linens and vacuum each mattress.
Moving into the bathroom, sprinkle some baking soda and lemon juice into your toilet and shower and let sit. After about 15 minutes, scrub toilet and shower, and rinse. Make sure to wipe down at the end for a nice super-shiny bathroom!
Young woman scrubs down the RV toilet for spring cleaning
Use a non-abrasive cleaning solution to clean this part of your RV. We use Mrs. Myers, but there are many to choose from.
Be sure to use an ammonia-free product on tinted windows.
After all the ceiling, walls, counters, and cabinets have been cleaned, you will find that a lot of the dust has fallen to the floor. Grab your broom (cause it's a mess), and begin sweeping into piles. Make sure you are sweeping every corner, behind furniture, and anywhere else dust might be hiding. Vacuum each pile, then proceed to mop all areas of the floor.
Young woman sweeps floor of Winnebago Intent for spring cleaning
Making a paste out of baking soda and warm water, spread paste inside your oven and let sit overnight. This will remove all splatters and spills that have accumulated over time! Wipe clean the next day.
Wipe down the inside of your microwave with vinegar, lemon juice, and warm water. A good tip here is to microwave a wet paper towel for a couple of minutes, then wipe down with the solution. That extra step just helps to get everything good and loosened up.
First, remove all questionable food that has been lingering in the back of the fridge for a while. (If you're unsure, THROW IT OUT! It's just not worth it, you guys.) Then, wipe down the inside of your fridge with your vinegar solution. While you're at it, throw a box of baking soda in there and replace every now and then as it loses its deodorizing power.
Remove all old spices and food you haven't touched in the pantry. (Space is limited people, and you NEED all the extra space you can get). Maybe now is a good time to organize your shelves with sliders or baskets as well. The nice thing about spring cleaning is that you get to decide how far you go!
Since your floor is spic and span, this is a good time to sit down for a minute because YOU earned it! Don't even think about how there are still like 4 (maybe 5... or 6) steps left- all that matters right now is that all your hard work is paying off. Grab some freshly squeezed lemonade, talk to your kids about walking uphill both ways, and dream about nice long trips in your beautifully cleaned RV.
Ok, break is over, time to get back to work!
Remember all of those items you took outside? Well, it's time to bring those back inside, but first you will need to wipe down and clean those items. Shake out all the rugs, wipe down and vacuum all cushions, and then bring all items back to where they belong.
Young boys help with RV spring cleaning and wipe down household accessories
Replace batteries in your smoke detector if needed. Also, check all fuses to make sure they are all working as they should.
RV detailing company in PhoenixThe final step is to check your black, gray, and freshwater tank readers and sensors to make sure they are reporting an accurate level.
Ladies and gentlemen, you did it. HOORAY! Go ahead and pat yourself on the back because you are now OFFICIALLY ready to hit the road. Not feeling up for it just yet and need to rest? Totally understand, find that pillow, and dive into those freshly washed linens and dream about that upcoming road trip with the family!
Young man makes the bed of Winnebago Intent
Remember, do not stress over getting this accomplished in one day! A lot of people (including us) break this down into sections. We will often focus on the outside of our Intent one day and the inside another. That is TOTALLY fine! Cleaning your entire RV is a lot of work, but is SO worth it in the end!
As I mentioned earlier, if you are unsure about how to do something, or are not sure you have the abilities to properly check something, seek the guidance of your local RV dealer or Winnebago Owner Relations. They are there to help, and at the end of the day, it's nice to feel assured that an expert is looking at your rig.
Happy RV season everyone! Get out there, explore, and make some memories with your family.
When dirt and grime is left to collect on the surface of your RV over a long period, it cakes up and hardens, making it harder to remove when you finally get around to cleaning your rig. While trying to remove the caked-up dirt, you may end up smearing and smudging it over the surface of your rig, causing scratches and swirl marks.
When dirt and grime is left to collect on the surface of your RV over a long period, it cakes up and hardens, making it harder to remove when you finally get around to cleaning your rig. While trying to remove the caked-up dirt, you may end up smearing and smudging it over the surface of your rig, causing scratches and swirl marks.
Dirt and grime can also damage your RV. RVs have many sections and numerous features with seals and connections, most of which can easily be compromised when dirt builds up on the outside. For example, the gaskets around their doors, windows, or sliding sections can get damaged or corroded when dirt and grime collects in them.
Moreover, when dirt and moisture collects on the roof of an RV, it can lead to the buildup of moss or algae, which can cause mold or rust to set into the walls of the RV.
There’s also the fact that dirt and grime makes an RV look old and causes it to actually age faster. If you’re planning on selling or trading in your RV some years down the road, you need to clean it regularly to ensure it gets a good resale value when you finally decide to let go of it.
How To Find An RV Wash Near Me (And Should You?)
Finding an automated car wash for your RV isn’t as easy as it is to find one for your car, van, truck, or SUV. Most automated car washes aren’t equipped to handle vehicles as big as RVs, so any attempt to navigate your RV toward an automated car wash may cause the employees to start waving their hands at you frantically as they try to stop you. Besides this, the jets of water in a car wash can flood and ruin your RV’s vent fans and ceiling HVAC system. The different attached features on your RV, e.g. your TV antenna, may also get damaged in a car wash.
Therefore, you’re better off cleaning your RV yourself. When you do so, you have more control over the cleaning products and equipment used in the cleaning process, meaning that you’re sure to get better results. Plus, when cleaning your rig yourself, you’ll be able to give better care to all the sensitive or vulnerable parts of your RV, making it last longer. Read on to learn how to DIY!
RV Washing And Car Washing - What’s The Difference?
RV washing requires more resources: The size of RVs vary depending on the type, but they can be several times bigger than regular cars. This means you’ll require more time, more water, and more products when cleaning them.
Special care to certain parts: Unlike most cars, RVs incorporate many features that have to be handled carefully to avoid damage when the washing is being done, e.g. ceiling HVAC systems.