It’s that time of the year again: spring cleaning season. Chances are, you plan to deep clean your home — but what about your home away from home?
While you might keep your RV relatively tidy and maintained throughout the year, you likely have not deep cleaned in a year, or at least since the cold weather hit.
As the temperatures heat up and you plan for your next stay at Ocean Front Property’s Kermit RV park, consider the following tips to sanitize, clean, and prep for your upcoming summer adventures:
1. Freshen Up the Bedroom
If you are not in the habit of changing your sheets each time you use the RV, now is the time to do so. Swap out your winter sheets for a lighter set, and be sure to wash all blankets, pillowcases, and even the mattress pad. Air out the blankets in the sun before putting them away and hang pillows on a clothesline outside to freshen them up.
Next, find a hand vacuum or attachment and clean the mattress and base of the bed. Don’t forget to rotate the mattress, too! Use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum to dust the curtains or use cleaning wipes if you have blinds.
2. Sanitize the Bathroom
The bathroom may be the smallest space on your RV, but it’s also probably the dirtiest. Start by cleaning the toilet with lemon juice and baking soda. After letting this mixture sit in the bowl for 15 minutes, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush. Use disinfecting wipes or a microfiber cloth and environmentally-friendly cleaner to wipe down the exterior of the toilet, as well as the floor, counters, and sink. Shine up your mirrors with a soft, clean cloth and a spray of vinegar.
Next, make sure all bathroom products, cosmetics, and medications are up to date. Rummage through your first aid kit and remove any expired products, then make a note to purchase replacements.
3. Organize Common Areas
Start by organizing the cabinets, closets, and storage areas. Go through each compartment and only keep what you need or regularly use. Vacuum and shake out any throw rugs or couch cushions, then set them out in the sun.
Grab a microfiber cloth and dust all the nooks and crannies, including behind the TV, in the vents, and around electronics. Add a little bit of dish soap and warm water to wash down the walls, table, counters, and cabinets. Finally, make sure you change the batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
4. Scrub Down the Kitchen
Remember that pizza you cooked last summer that dripped greasy cheese all over in your oven? Now is the time to clean the grates in hot soapy water and replace any rusted or overly dirty racks. Create a paste using baking soda and water and scrub this mixture in your oven. Let this sit for a few minutes, then wipe it down with paper towels to remove any baked-on food. Finish with some vinegar water to remove any baking soda paste residue. For the microwave, place vinegar water in a bowl and microwave on high for three minutes. After letting it sit for five minutes, wipe the entire interior down with a sponge.
Do you leave any canned goods or condiments in your kitchen pantry or fridge? Remove any contents from your cabinets, pantry, and fridge and check to make sure nothing is expired or melted. Next, wipe out any crumbs, spills, or sticky residue from the fridge interior and cabinets with a multi-purpose cleaner. Don’t forget to also replace your water filters!
5. Wash and Wax the RV Exterior
Now that your RV interior is spick and span, it’s time to shift focus to the outside. Pull out the RV slides and wash and wax all of the exterior areas, then use deionized water to prevent spots and streaks when rinsing off the soap. If you find any mildew on the awning, use Magic Erasers or similar cleaning materials to scrub out any tough stains. Don’t forget to check your tires for air and replace any of them as needed.
Get Ready for Your Next Adventure
Finish off your spring cleaning with a final vacuuming or washing of the floors with warm soapy water. Check that you didn’t miss any spots and make sure you replace any medications or necessary food items that you threw out in the process. Once you are done, kick back and relax as there is no greater feeling than stepping into a clean RV before heading out of town on your next adventure.