RV Spring Clean Guide + Free Printable Checklist
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I love spring, it is time for new beginnings. An RV spring clean is a must if you live in your RV full time or even if not, it’s still a great start for the season. Also, not only will it make you a happy camper, it also helps to maintain your RV’s value.
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A few tips
1 – Start at the top and work your way down
Start your clean from the ceiling, then do your walls and finally your floor. If you decide a direction, like from left to right, it is also easier to keep up which part you have already worked on.
2 – Go room by room or category by category
This makes it easier to stop and carry on later. It also makes the whole process a whole lot more organized.
3 – Empty your RV completely & declutter
Like, absolutely everything. This way you have an easy cleaning access to your cupboards and makes it easier to get rid of any extra clutter accumulated over the year.
If you are looking for storage and organization ideas, see my posts about RV kitchen and RV bathroom organization.
4 – Make it fun
Put on some good music and if you have children, make it a game and take them to help you.
General
□ Air out
If you open the windows on the opposite sides of the RV, you’ll create a cross-breeze that gets rid of any musty smells accumulated over the winter.
□ Clean the ceiling fans
Take them off and wash in a warm, soapy water.
□ Wash windows
If you want a homemade window cleaning solution for strike-free shine, mix one part of vinegar with one part of water. Microfiber cloths are great as they don’t flint.
□ Wipe all fixtures (light switches, door handles, etc.)
Wipe down all your everyday switches like light pulls, door handles and faucets. Don’t forget your light bulbs! Dirty light bulbs emit so much less light than clean ones.
□ Sanitize fresh water tank
□ Check your carbon monoxide detector, smoke alarm and fire extinguishers
Don’t miss this one.
□ Check your first -aid kit
Make sure you have everything you need in there. Also check the expiration dates and that all the local emergency numbers, including your closest poisoning helpline, are written down.
□ Check you have everything you need with you
Download my handy checklists for free here.
Outside
You can start from inside or outside, whichever you prefer.
□ Wash
Brush with extendable handle is really handy for this.
□ Wax
RV Web made a handy comparison of best RV waxes here.
□ Clean the awning
You can buy a purpose made awning cleaner from the RV shops, but dish washing liquid works just as well.
□ Check the seals and vents
These would be good to be checked by a professional every now and then. It might cost a little now, but it is much cheaper in the long run, especially if they crack and cause any water damage.
□ Clean the outdoor furniture
Camping mats, chairs and tables.
□ Clean and organize the basement (if applicable)
□ Lubricate slide-out mechanisms (if applicable)
Living area
□ Floors
Vacuum the floors properly, mop them or if they are carpets, a steam clean could do miracles. Other options are carpet shampoos or sprinkling a handsome amount of baking soda on a vacuumed carpet, letting it sit for a few hours or preferably overnight and then vacuuming it off.
□ Walls and ceilings
This might feel pointless first, but the walls and ceilings get surprisingly dirty in RVs. Work your way down.
□ Upholstery
Vacuum your upholstery and use a stain cleaner or baking soda on any stains.
□ Dust behind the TV
And don’t forget to wipe your remote control. It actually has more bacteria on it than your toilet seat…
□ Clean window treatments
Minimum is to vacuum them, if you can, take them off and wash them.
Kitchen & Pantry
□ Floors
Vacuum and mop the floors.
□ Walls and ceilings
Especially important behind the range.
□ Check condiment dates of expiry
Including those in the fridge. Most people tend to think these last forever!
□ Clean inside cabinets, cabinet doors and counter tops
Empty all the cabinets, give them a quick hoover and wipe down.
□ Clean the fridge and defrost your freezer if you have one
Use food-safe cleaners only in your fridge, like a baking soda paste or a drop of dish-washing liquid. Always leave the fridge door open when not in use (like in a winter storage) and consider making baking soda deodorizer disks to prevent the smells later.
□ Microwave
Mix 1 cup of water, a little bit of lemon juice and a few tablespoons of white vinegar in a microwaveable bowl, microwave for a few minutes in a highest setting until the mixture is boiling, switch the microwave off, let sit for 10 minutes without opening the door and then wipe off.
□ Oven, Stove
Make a paste from baking soda and water and let it sit overnight before scrubbing it off. If you are close to a dishwasher, you can remove the range hobs and wash them in a dishwasher.
□ Clean the garbage can
Clean the can thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Bedroom & Closet
□ Floors
If your floors are carpeted, try sprinkling baking soda on it, let sit and hoover.
□ Walls and ceilings
Especially around the bed.
□ Wash pillows, duvets and comforters
Take everything you can’t wash outside at least.
□ Mattress
Rotate if needed. Vacuum it thoroughly, sprinkle some baking soda, let sit and vacuum.
□ Clean window treatments
Again, at least give them a vacuum, but the best would be to take them off and wash them.
□ Store winter gear away
Vacuum bags are a great space saver if you live on your rig full-time and have to store everything in the RV.
Bathroom
□ Floors
□ Walls and ceilings
Wipe the ceiling and the walls, especially behind the toilet seat.
□ Toilet
Let the cleaner sit while you clean the rest of the bathroom.
□ Wash your mirrors
Use 1:1 mix of water and vinegar.
□ Wash your bath mat & shower curtain
Throw them in a wash while you tackle the rest of the bathroom.
□ Clean your shower head
If your shower head has accumulated any mineral build-ups, remove it and put it in a ziplock bag with white vinegar in it and let sit overnight.
□ Sink & faucets
Use an old toothbrush to reach even the toughest corners and finish with a wax paper polish.
□ Shower
To prevent hard spring clean scrubbing, get a shower cleaner spray and spray the shower regularly after use.
□ Drains
If your drains smell a bit funny, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and then 1:1 mix of vinegar and water. Cover with a drain plug, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes and finish with almost boiling hot water.
□ Discard expired beauty products
Free Printable Checklist
You might also be interested in
How To Make Your RV Smell Good (And Get Rid of Any Bad Smells)
27 Fantastic Space Saving Ways to Organize your RV or a Camper (That really work!)
2 Comments
Bekah
This is great, thank you! There are some RV cleaning things I may not think of on here.
Aino
Super happy to hear, thanks for taking the time to comment! 🙂