Caravan Washing & Cleaning | A Complete Guide

Owning a caravan comes with the joy of being able to pack up and head off on open-road adventures at the drop of a hat. So, while your caravan rewards you with fantastic family holidays, action-packed weekend getaways and relaxing overnighters in nature, you can treat your caravan with regular maintenance to ensure it looks after you and your family for many years. Establishing a caravan washing routine is the best way to help your vehicle retain its resale value while allowing you to check for any damage that needs repair.

How to Go About Ensuring the Best Caravan Wash

The best way to wash a caravan is to acknowledge it’s not a car, although there’s no reason you can’t still pay the kids’ pocket money to help you clean the van. The differences between cars and caravans may not seem obvious, but these variations can cause costly repairs if you take them for granted. For example, caravans have seals around the windows and doors to prevent leaks, which could be ruptured if you scrub too hard or apply a high-pressure hose at full force.

Cleaning Your Caravan: Step by Step

Keeping your caravan in tip-top condition is the best way to ensure you’re ready to roll the moment you decide to take your trip. Major repairs should be seen to immediately, and remember to service your caravan every 10,000km to avoid expensive, inconvenient breakdowns and other unwelcome surprises on your journey.

Start With the Outside

First, wet down the entire caravan, using a jet spray for insect splatter and bird droppings. Many caravan experts say never to use a high-pressure hose because many things can go wrong. However, as long as you adjust the force, use the correct nozzle degree and stand at least 1m to 2m away, you can use the arm for the higher portions of the caravan or the wheel wells to remove mud and road grime.

High-pressure washers can scratch the paint, especially on older vans with chipped enamel or acrylic. The force can remove the campervan’s decals or damage seals, creating leaks. Even if you’ve been four-wheel-driving, too much pressure under the van can dislodge the parts. Don’t spray up into the vents or directly onto the pop-top skirt, and be extra careful around the window zippers. To reduce any risks, a garden hose is perfectly fine to use, along with a bucket of soapy water and sponges.

Choose The Right Detergent

Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasives, as they can scratch and deteriorate the paint, pop-top canvas and seals. Potent compounds can build up on the canvas, weakening the stitching. Invest in a canvas mould remover to treat mould that may have built up on the material, but use sparingly and ensure there is no residue left behind. Warm water and dishwashing detergent are okay to use, and you can also use the same detergent to wash your tow vehicle.

Gentle, non-abrasive car washes will clean the bodywork and are safe for seals, trims, rubber and painted panels. Some van owners say to avoid truck washes as they can peel off the decal stickers and transfers. If you’re using a degreaser, ensure your caravan is parked safely so dirty water and chemical filth cannot wash down drains and harm the environment. A commercial campervan wash station or parked on the grass outside your house is suitable for caravan cleaning.

Select Suitable Tools

Don’t use sponges or brooms you use for other cleaning at home. Ensure you have dedicated equipment that you only use for caravan washing. Cleaning a caravan is tricky, involving all sorts of awkward positions to get the job done properly.

Choose a large sponge or a soft brush to remove dirt and grime from the outside of the van. A hard-bristled brush is likely to scratch the coach enamel and automotive acrylic paint. After hosing down the dirt, use a brush attached to a long pole or a soft-bristled broom to access those hard-to-reach places. The bucket must be wide enough for the brush to fit in the detergent. If your caravan has a canvas pop-top or annexe, use a garden hose to dislodge dirt and then a soft brush to remove residual marks.

Wash Top to Bottom

It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many people start on the sides when cleaning a caravan. Gravity is your friend, so let the dirty water run off and clean as you go; otherwise, it will feel like you’ve washed two caravans. This way, the soapy water can loosen the dirt before you start on the lower parts. The wheels often contain more grit, oil, grease and brake dust, so you may want to pay more attention to these areas. When you’ve finished washing your caravan, leave it outside to dry with the pop-top skirt, awning and toolbox open. Otherwise, dry it off with a chamois or soft towel before parking, preferably undercover.

Glass, Windows & Showerscreens

You don’t need to buy a special glass cleaner. Damp newspaper or butchers paper and soapy water work well for your RV windscreens, mirrors, and shower doors. Don’t scrub the polycarbonate windows in your motorhome, as the panes can be easily scratched. Use a sponge and soft cloth instead. If you’ve applied bush-pinstriping to your acrylic windows, you’ll need a specialist compound so you don’t strip them.

Safety First

Park your van where you can easily access the exterior and on solid ground. Pop the top, roll out the awning, and shut all the hatches and windows to avoid water entering your caravan or RV.

Reaching the roof to clean a caravan comes with its own set of challenges. A stepladder can help you avoid overstretching, but make sure you are properly supported and can’t slip or fall. The best way to wash a caravan is to do it thoroughly and not scrimp on areas that are out of reach.

Get someone to help you turn the hose on and off, rather than climbing the ladder with the hose in your hand and the water running. Squeeze the sponge before you remove it so you don’t saturate the ladder treads when slopping soapy water all over your motorhome, which can lead to accidents.

Practical Parking Spot

If you own a caravan or motorhome, you will likely have considered the best place to park it. The parking space will impact how simple it is to keep clean. Undercover, secure parking is ideal. However, if you leave your van in the shade under trees, you’ll need to check for bird droppings, scratches from fallen branches and tree-sap stains, making caravan cleaning more difficult. If you park your van out on the street or in your yard, invest in a sturdy cover clearly marked with reflective tape or stickers so it’s not a roadside hazard at night or in low-light conditions.

Checking for Damage and Repairs

Caravan washing by hand allows you to get up close to your van and assess any wear and tear by carrying out the following checks:

Ensure the roof isn’t dripping with water before opening the hatch to inspect the equipment on top.
Once you’ve found a secure platform on which to stand, check the solar panels, air-conditioning unit and the condition of your seals.
Go over the sealant along the panel joins, and if they require cleaning, you can dip a toothbrush into the detergent and gently clean them that way.
Scan the vinyl and trims for cracks, fading and rips.
Examine the canvas awnings and pop-top skirts for tears and mould.
Look for any paint damage that can lead to rust.
Take note of anything that needs replacing and contact your local dealership or caravan repair service.

Caravan Cleaning: Don’t Forget To Do The Inside

Nobody wants to start their holiday with a messy caravan filled with unwashed bedlinen, food stains and dirty ensuite. Cleaning a caravan on the inside is similar to cleaning your home.

Store a dustpan and brush, a compact broom (not the one you use for washing the exterior) and a cordless vacuum in your campervan for easy cleaning.
Make sure you have some eco-friendly all-purpose cleaners for grubbier jobs and to maintain hygiene in the cooking and bathing areas.
Go gently over fiddly areas, and don’t scrub at windows or walls to avoid scratching the surfaces.
Don’t leave filth and grime to build up in your van’s interior, as this can attract vermin and insects while parked at home or onsite.

Washing Your Caravan: Taking Good Care of Your Investment

Keeping your caravan well-maintained will ensure you and your loved ones enjoy many more years on the road. Along with ensuring your van looks great, washing your caravan is the ideal time to take note of any damage for repairs. Whether you want to invest in exterior paint treatments, rust prevention, wax polish or a vinyl protector is your choice. Lanolin spray is helpful in diverse applications, but whatever you use, make sure it doesn’t leave residue. If you’re reading this and don’t yet own a caravan or motorhome to keep clean, talk to our friendly, expert team at Windsor RVs and give yourself another fun weekend job that the kids can get paid for doing.