It can be hard to motivate ourselves to clean an RV after just getting back from a trip. We’re tired, groggy and just want to sleep in our beds and eat a nice hot meal. 

It’s only when it comes to planning your summer camping holiday that you remember you haven’t cleaned your RV out since the last trip. What a pain!

Today we’re going to help you get through your RV spring cleaning in record time so you can enjoy your first trip of the year in a fresh, clean RV. 

How to start your RV spring cleaning

The best thing to do first is to take any belongings that are still inside your RV from your last trip and store them in your home. You can always put them back in later when you're finished. 

You should clean the inside of your RV in the following order:

1. Ceiling
2. Walls 
3. Cabinets
4. Windows
5. Counters
6. Sinks, toilet, stove, microwave, fridge
7. Floors

Remember:  Always wash vertical surfaces from bottom up and rinse from top down.

How to clean the surfaces in an RV

It’s important to clean from the top down which is why when cleaning the surfaces in your RV we start with the ceiling. 

After the ceiling it’s time to wash down all vertical surfaces. You should always clean from the bottom up, then rinse from the top down when cleaning your walls to avoid any streaks. You can then move onto the counters and cabinets, windows, and finally the floor.

When cleaning your walls don’t use any cleaners that contain bleach as it doesn’t clean and damages seals. 

When wiping down your walls, ceilings, counter tops, cabinets, fridge, microwave and stove top use a good microfiber cloth and a multi surface cleaner (bonus points if it’s an eco friendly cleaner). This will help get rid of any bacteria and leave your surfaces and appliances sparkling. 

Some life hack websites will suggest using vinegar on your surfaces and this is a mistake. Using vinegar or citrus can damage your surfaces and finishes due to the acid content. 

How to clean an RV toilet 

Before you start cleaning the toilet in your RV be sure to give it a quick flush. Then you can grab a yarn toilet swab, pour some bathroom cleaner onto it and start working on cleaning the inside of your toilet. 

We know it’s nasty work and nobody likes the idea of scrubbing a toilet but it’s better to suffer now and have a clean toilet then face the consequences on the road later on. 

When cleaning your RV’s toilet make sure you get down inside the neck of the toilet. After you’re finished scrubbing, rinse the toilet bowl and grab your microfiber cloth and some bathroom cleaner. Wash the outside of the toilet with your cloth and then with another cloth dry the outside of the bowl down. 

How to clean an RV shower

If you’ve got glass shower doors in your RV then the best way to clean them is with some bathroom cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Always wash from the bottom up when cleaning your shower doors and rinse from the top down. You should do the same with the shower walls and wash the shower floor last. 

If you wash the shower floor first then the grime and dirt you just washed off the walls and doors will just make the floor dirty again. 

You can use a toothbrush or a Gabe’s Pride detail brush and some bathroom cleaner to wash around any faucets and door tracks. 

How to clean the windows & floors of an RV

The best way to clean the windows on your RV is with a window cleaner that doesn’t contain any ammonia, solvents, or ethylene glycols. 

Be sure to wash all windows, TV monitors, and mirrors in your RV so everything is clean for your next trip. 

You can find the perfect window and glass cleaner in our online shop!

When cleaning your floors be sure to give them a good vacuum and then a sweep after to make sure you got all the debris and dirt. You can then mop your RV’s floor with a flat mop and a multi surface cleaner. Be sure to rinse your flat mop regularly to ensure that you’re getting all the grime off of your floor. 

How to clean the roof fan of an RV

The roof fan is an important and necessary part of your RV that should be cleaned regularly. You don’t want it to spread dust around your RV while you’re driving!

Take it apart and clean each piece with a multi surface cleaner before rinsing and drying. 

Don’t use anything with disinfectant in it for cleaning your roof fan, or anything else in your RV, as they’re not very good cleaners and they leave a film behind meaning you won’t get the results you want.

According to the CDC and EPA and product labels, disinfectants must be used on a pre-cleaned surface and the surface must be wet for the time listed on the product label to be effective.

How to clean the bedroom in an RV

A freshly made bed with clean sheets is like heaven after a long day traveling, which is why it’s a necessity to make all the beds in your RV up with fresh linen before you set off on your trip. 

Before you dress the beds, make sure you vacuum under the mattress, inside the drawers and inside the closet. If they’re dirty on the outside just spray them with a multi surface cleaner and wipe them down. 

How to clean the outside of an RV

When cleaning the outside of your RV always wash vertical surfaces from the bottom up and rinse from the top down. Clean the sides of your RV first and then move onto the top. Don’t use any abrasive or petroleum-based cleaning supplies as they can damage the roof material of your RV. 

You should use a cleaner like the Gabe’s Pride RV Streaker. This cleaner does all the hard work for you and will have your RV glistening in no time at all. 

You can use a soft detail brush to get the texture caulk surface areas clean as they’re not smooth and dirt can get stuck in the textures. 

Use a soft microfiber flat pad to take care of the roof and the sides. RV Streaker can be used for the entire outside of your RV except for the windows which you should clean with window cleaner. You’re probably going to get RV Streaker on your windows but don’t worry it won’t harm your windows. It may however leave streaks which is why you should clean them with window cleaner afterwards. 

Next, move on to cleaning the awnings. You might have to use a soft detail brush on the awning to help loosen any soil that’s stuck in them. 

After rinsing from the roof down, wash the outside of your windows with a window cleaner. 

Don’t forget to reorganize and restock your RV

Finally it’s time to reorganize the storage compartments in your RV to make sure everything is neat, tidy, and organized before you go camping.

You should also restock supplies and food including first aid supplies, and change your water filter. You should also double check your smoke detector and change the batteries if needed. 

We hope this RV spring cleaning guide has helped you out. If you’re in need of some eco-friendly RV cleaning supplies check out our online shop where you can find everything you need. 

From microfibre cloths and mops to multi surface sprays and bathroom cleaner everything is available on our eco friendly cleaning supplies store.