It may still be winter, but spring is just a few weeks away, even for those of you in colder areas of the country. For RV owners, this means time to start planning.

The first plan should be to get the RV clean after it’s been sitting in the driveway all winter long. How much work that’ll take will depend in part on whether or not the RV was covered, but assuming you left it uncovered, here’s your quick primer on cleaning the exterior, from a high level.

What You Need (and What Not to Use)

For most general interior and exterior cleaning of a recreational vehicle, you will need at least:

• Safe cleaning products for the RV, including exterior car wash formula.
  
  
• A bucket for mixing the detergent.
  
  
• Glass cleaner.
  
  
• Some soft towels or rags.
  
  
• Soft and stiff bristle brushes.
  
  
• Basic tools like a screwdriver or socket wrench (if you need to take off any panels to get at anything).
  
  
• A small blower and a vacuum for dislodging dust, leaves and other particulate matter.
  
  
• Reusable or disposable gloves to protect your hands, if you choose.

Cleaning Your RV’s Exterior

• First make sure you are in the right place to clean your RV and that runoff is manageable where you have it parked. Give the exterior a rinse with water, then mix some detergent and apply that to the exterior with a rag or brush, then rinse it again.
  
  
• Now you can focus more closely on the exterior of the RV’s components. Using a safe cleaning product for your RV, like Release, and a soft or stiff bristle brush, focus on any areas where tar, grease, grime, dirt or bugs have accumulated.
  
  
• Open the doors and windows and use the vacuum or blower to dislodge any dirt, dust or leaves that have accumulated in the jambs or around the margins.
  
  
• Clean the windows with a rag and a glass cleaner. Make sure to dry thoroughly so you don’t leave any streaks or spots. As you’re cleaning the windows and doors, check the seals to make sure they’re in good condition.
  
  
• Clean the tires with a stiff bristle brush and a tire-safe product to remove grease and other soil. Consider applying a special protectant that will help protect the tires from UV-related damage.
  
  
• Open any outdoor storage components or remove any cowls and either use the blower or vacuum to dislodge leaves, dirt and other debris from these compartments.
  
  
• Clean any vents that you can access from the exterior of the RV by removing and scrubbing the vent covers clean (you may need basic tools for this).
  
  
• If your RV has an awning, make sure you clean and thoroughly dry the awning, too. Make sure that it is fully dry before stowing it as a damp awning will likely develop mold or mildew.
  
  
• Don’t neglect the roof. Use a safe cleaning product for your RV, rinse and clean the whole roof, and spot clean with a stiff-bristled brush where needed.

The Importance of Safe Cleaning Products for Your RV

Not all detergents are safe for all exterior surfaces on an RV. Some safe cleaning products for your RV, like Release all-surface cleaner, are formulated to be safe for use on effectively all RV surfaces, including vinyl, plastic,  glass, ceramic, metal alloys and even painted surfaces. It’s also formulated not to penetrate; instead, it associates with organic soils so they can be lifted away, as a spray and wipe cleaner or Foam on wipe and rinse.  making it safe for all surfaces, without adding a risk of damaging finishes.

Spray and Wipe

The best way to keep your RV’s exterior clean is to keep ahead of it. Use Release to remove bugs and dirt shortly of they accumulate.  Rather than letting it sit through the fall into next season, at the end of the summer clean it according to the protocol contained herein and repeat twice per year. Your RV will stay cleaner with less effort from you.

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