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.
The 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.
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.
Mobile RV wash and waxThere’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.
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.
Different types of surfaces: While most regular vehicles feature just one type of body surface (painted metal), RVs feature different types of body surfaces that have to be washed in different ways, using different products. The bodies of most RVs are made from metal, painted metal, or fiberglass, while their roofs may feature rubber or fiberglass materials.
Washing an RV is more complicated than washing a car, truck, van, or SUV. You can’t just go out and start washing it like you would wash a regular vehicle - you need to have a strategy. You may even need to get someone (or several people) to help you, especially if your RV is a huge class A motorhome.
You’ll also need to get the right cleaning products for your rig. Consult your owner’s manual to see the kind of cleaning products the manufacturer recommends. Some RVs have decals that can be easily damaged by certain types of RV cleaning products. Painted metal surfaces can be washed using the same cleaning products that you would use on a car, while for fiberglass surfaces, it’s largely recommended that you use a cleaning product that both washes and waxes the surface.
Also worth noting is that you need a lot of water to wash an RV. It’s better to wash it in your own backyard or driveway, where you can give it all the water it needs to get clean without being reprimanded by anyone. The washing should also be done on a firm surface that can take your weight and that of a ladder.
Also, don’t start with the sides, as the runoff from the roof can cancel out your efforts as it flows down the sides. Always start with the roof.
NB: It’s possible to use a pressure washer to wash an RV, but unless you really know how to use it, you’re better off avoiding it. Pressurized water can cut through silicone seals, blow past gaskets, or pass between overlapping layers into the RV. It can even peel off decals if not handled with care.
Soft-bristle brushes with long or extendable handles
Hard-bristle, hand-held brushes for the wheels and tires
Garden hose with a sprayer (or pressure washer if you have one)