Post-Trip Clean-Up Tips

Your journey is over and you and your RV have returned home safe and sound.

Keeping your camper ready for the next trip

It can be tempting to just pull into your parking spot, lock up your camper and head into your house. But your travel time isn’t officially over until you undertake some basic housekeeping chores inside and outside your “home on wheels.”

Otherwise, you’ll be stuck doing it all before you head off on your next big adventure!

(Tip: Review your camper owner’s manual for instructions on how to clean surfaces to avoid damage to the equipment and finishes.)

Inside the camper

1. Air out the camper by opening all the windows and doors.
2. Remove all the trash and debris that has collected during your trip.
3. Empty the refrigerator of perishables and the cabinets of food products.
4. Vacuum upholstery, fabrics and the floor (if the latter is a hard surface, wash it as well).
5. Wipe down cabinets, counters and kitchen equipment. (Not traveling for awhile? Wipe out the inside of the cabinets, too!)
6. Wash the ceiling (checking for any discoloration that might indicate water leaks), wash windows (inside and out), blinds, screens, vents and clean window and door seals. (Trip Savvy.com’s How to Clean Your RV suggests using a cleaner that will also moisturize seals to keep them from drying out—important if you’re spending time in arid climates.)
7. Thoroughly clean the bathroom—check your manual for the type of RV bathroom cleaners that are safe for the plumbing. Remove the shower curtain if possible and wash it to prevent mold and mildew.
8. Wash all the bed linens and towels and replace so they are ready for the next trip.
9. Refill any soap, shampoo and other dispensers and restock paper products.

The tanks

Empty your blackwater tank at a dumping station, bringing the following supplies: rubber gloves, shoe covers, protective glasses, liquid soap and paper towels. (Tips here from Axle Addict.)

Then deal with your freshwater water tank, following these detailed instructions, again from Axle Addict.

Outside the camper

1. When cleaning the outside of your camper, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Don’t hop onto the roof to do a top-down washing, since not all camper roofs can handle body weight without damage.
3. Skip the pressure washer since the force of the water can damage gaskets or remove decals, noted Camping World in How to Wash Your RV.
4. Clean the awning by following this tip from the KOA blog: remove the legs so the awning falls flat against the side of your camper.
5. Wash the undercarriage, either with a hose or by going to an oversized car washes for undercarriage cleaning at a reasonable cost, according to TripSavvy.com.

Now your camper is ready for the next trip!