When the cold winter days turn warmer, it’s the perfect time to think about spring cleaning inside your RV. Spring is the perfect time to get your RV ready for another season of travel whether you are itching to get back on the road or you live in your RV full-time. There’s nothing better than having a clean and fresh living space before you start your next exciting adventures.
In addition to just feeling and looking good, doing a thorough cleaning has other benefits too. Getting rid of dust and allergens will improve the air quality in your RV. Reducing clutter and mess will help lower stress levels and increase your productivity as well. Once you have taken care of these deep cleaning chores you will have more time for exploring new destinations with your loved ones. Here are some tips to help you get started on your RV cleaning.
Guest Post by Robin Buck
Start Up High
Whenever you are cleaning it is a good idea to start up high so that dust doesn’t fall onto areas you have already cleaned. I start with the ceiling fans and vent fans in our RV. Depending on how dirty things are you can either dust or wash them with a mild cleaner. Always follow your RV manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning products. Many people use white distilled vinegar which is an economical and safe cleaner for many surfaces.
After the ceiling areas, I move on to windows and window coverings. Even though I try to keep the window areas clean, dust and dirt still build up during the year. It’s nice to do a deep cleaning where you remove the screens and really wash the windows both inside and outside the RV. You will love how bright things look when the windows are clean, and the sun can shine inside.
Clean and Organize Cabinets
Spring cleaning is a great time to clean and organize your cabinets and drawers throughout the RV, but especially in the kitchen. I like to take everything out, wipe down the shelves, and sort things as I replace them. It’s also a good opportunity to get rid of any food items that have reached their expiration date or any items you don’t use.
Tackle the Kitchen Appliances
After you do the cabinets, you can move on to the kitchen appliances. Wipe down the inside of the microwave and wash the glass tray. Clean around the stovetop area, whether you have burners or a ceramic flat surface. Generally, RV ovens don’t have a self-cleaning mode so you will need to wipe out any crumbs and wash the cooking racks.
Next, take all the food out of the refrigerator and wipe down all of the shelves with soapy water. This is a good time to throw out any questionable foods or condiment jars that have been there for a while. Where did some of those things come from?? I recommend putting a box of baking soda in the fridge to deodorize and keep it smelling fresh. Don’t forget to clean out the freezer too and defrost if needed. Finally, replace water filters to keep your drinking water tasting its best.
Sanitize the Bathroom
Don’t forget to take occasional breaks while you are cleaning and get a snack and a drink. When you are ready, move on to tackle the bathroom. This is definitely a place you want to disinfect, but again be careful to avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners that can harm RV surfaces or pipes.
I have found that a squeegee is a great tool to wipe down shower walls and glass doors after scrubbing them clean. Use a toilet brush to make the toilet sparkle, wipe down your sink areas and mirrors, and wash all of the towels. Before you know it, your bathroom will be fresh and clean.
Freshen Up the Bedroom
To freshen up the bedroom, strip the bed and wash all the sheets, blankets, and pillow covers. Don’t forget the mattress cover too. I like to vacuum the mattress when all the bedding is removed and spray it with a little Febreze. Or you might decide this is a good time to treat yourself to new bedding!
I think spring cleaning is also the perfect opportunity to go through your closet and drawers. Take a look and find any to clothes you no longer need or wear. A closet that is not over-stuffed will keep things from getting wrinkled. Consider making a trip to donate your unneeded items to Goodwill or another charity.
Clean all the Surfaces
Now that the big stuff has been tackled, go back and dust or clean any surfaces you haven’t cleaned yet. This could include wiping down counters and dining tables as well as dusting/vacuuming couches, TVs, and the front dash area. Don’t forget to dust nightstands, dressers, and TVs in the bedroom as well.
Finish Down Low
Now that the RV has been cleaned and organized, it is time to take care of the floors. Shake out and wash any throw rugs or welcome mats. Vacuum the carpeted areas and sweep/mop tile flooring. Spring cleaning is a good time to use a spray carpet cleaner on your larger rugs too.
Enjoy Your Clean RV!
Even though we all tidy up on a regular basis, nothing beats spring cleaning to really make your RV feel new again. Doing more in-depth work to maintain your RV will pay off in keeping its value up as well. It makes me happy to start off the warm weather travel season knowing the inside of our motorhome is clean, organized and renewed. Then we are ready to head off for new and exciting adventures!
Robin and her husband, Mike, are Air Force veterans and empty nesters who travel full-time in their Entegra Anthem motorhome. Always ready to explore, they love nature and wildlife, meeting new friends, and discovering America’s many hidden gems. Robin chronicles their adventures and experiences on her travel blog RVing with Robin.
