It’s officially spring (we made it!) and you know what that means… spring cleaning!
Spring cleaning is more than just a quick dust-off before your first trip. It also involves maybe changing a headlight, buying a new RV fire extinguisher, replacing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, refilling your first aid kit, checking all your sealants… all that stuff, and much, much more.
These are some of our top “spring cleaning” posts over the years. Many are quick and easy projects that you could, and should, spend an afternoon doing.
Spring cleaning projects, tools, and gadgets for RVers
RV spring cleaning: 7 maintenance tasks to do before leaving
This article and video from Chris of the Why Wait YouTube channel contains seven quick and easy RV maintenance tasks that are good to do each year as part of your RV spring cleaning. You probably haven’t thought of some of these, but they’re important!
Spring cleaning time for fresh water tanks
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Really, if your rig has been snoozing all winter and you remember that you forgot to drain the system down, aside from fixing broken pipes, it’s not a bad idea to do a disinfect. It only takes about one mouthful of “Yecchh!” water to convince you that water can go stale. What to do? Well, this is the same trick we recommend before you use the water system on any “new to you” RV.
USB rechargeable spin-scrubbing brush cleans RVs inside and out
By Cheri Sicard
Amazon recently sent an offer I couldn’t refuse on this spin-scrubbing brush set. I debated whether or not I needed this gadget in my RV, but, as I said, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. And I am so glad I tried it. I admit it. I am not a great housekeeper. The spinning scrubber brush makes it easier. And with so many different attachments, I can use it to clean almost any surface on my RV, inside or out. Check it out.
My 11 favorite RV cleaning products
By Nanci Dixon
There are a number of cleaning products that can be effective for use in an RV. I have some favorites that I just can’t do without. Here’s my list of essentials.
How to find and clean the dirtiest places in your RV
By Gail Marsh
I rarely clean certain items inside our RV. Maybe you avoid them, too. There are places in our RV that are harder to clean than others. Or at least that’s the excuse I give myself for not tackling these cleaning jobs very often. I know there are specialized products made specifically for certain cleaning chores. However, these products often take up valuable space inside our RV or add unnecessary weight. So, I pack just a few cleaning items when we RV. I use them along with some tips and tricks that make cleaning tasks easier.
A step-by-step guide to checking and cleaning your RV appliances
By Dustin Simpson
Regularly checking and cleaning the appliances in your RV is essential for their proper functioning, efficiency, and your overall comfort during your travels. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check and clean some of your RV appliances.
Gadgets to keep RV black tanks stink-free and clean
By Dustin Simpson
Today, I want to introduce you to a few products that help keep your black tanks clean and free from any odors. Check these out.
A quick, easy trick to keep your sewer hose clean
By Nanci Dixon
I had a chance to attend a seminar on all things black and gray tanks and learned a new dump technique. After all these years of RVing, I had never heard of or thought about this sensible tip to keep your sewer hose clean. Here is the quick, easy tip to help keep it clean.
Ask Dave: OK to use pressure washer to clean RV exterior?
Dear Dave,
My husband has done a terrific job of keeping our old RV looking new. About a year ago, we noted what looked to us like mold, which seemed to be under the finish. It could not be cleaned off and was evenly distributed everywhere. Recently, my husband was cleaning off the deck and aimed the pressure hose at the RV. He was using Olympic Deck Cleaner also. I worried about the pressure hose and the deck wash further harming the finish, but the upside is that all the blue/black (mildew?) streaks are gone. There are still no leaks in the RV. Is this OK?
How to get rid of and prevent black streaks on an RV
Have you ever noticed gray or black streaks coming down the sides of your RV? It’s a common problem, especially after a rain. Here, the team from The Camping Loop wanted to know the best way to get rid of black streaks on an RV, so they put three products to the test. They also talk about how to prevent unsightly black streaks on an RV from happening in the future.
How to properly clean RV toilets to prevent damage
Let’s face it, RV toilets aren’t the most glamorous part of RVing. There are tons of videos about black tank maintenance, but what about the basics? Many people buy a used RV and never get a walkthrough, leaving them clueless about how to properly use and clean their RV toilet. In this article and video, Jason Epperson of RV Miles covers everything from how to use an RV toilet to cleaning it without causing damage.
How to clean an RV hot water tank
In the video at the end of this post, certified RV technician RV Repair Woman pulled a water heater from a customer’s rig, then found the kind of mess that keeps water cold and faucets sluggish. Her video guide shows exactly how that tank was brought back from a solid inch of gunk to a tank that could actually heat again. Wow…
It’s time to clean those dirty, yellowed or clouded headlights
If your pickup truck, tow vehicle, or motorhome has yellowed or clouded headlights, it is likely due to the plastic or acrylic components. This yellowing or clouding can occur over time due to exposure to UV rays, environmental factors, and general wear and tear. Cleaning your headlights is an important safety task.
Making the most of your Swiffer while RVing
Take a deep breath. Chances are that the road has gifted your RV with dust, pollen, and perhaps even a sooty souvenir from last night’s firepit. Before you reach for your bulky vacuum, grab a Swiffer. Lightweight, compact, and surprisingly versatile, the Swiffer is one of those travel-friendly tools that can handle more than just your RV floors. Check out the following practical, RV-tested tips to get more mileage out of your Swiffer.
The best product for cleaning and polishing RV woodwork
By Nanci Dixon
I will admit I have been remiss in cleaning and polishing the overabundance of wood cabinets, walls, and moldings in our RV. I had tried numerous products in the past that polished and shone, but they just became a dust magnet, so I basically gave up and dusted. That was okay most of the time, but I noticed the cabinet doors were becoming a bit grimy, and wiping with a damp cloth was not working well. I found this at our local grocery store and decided to try it…
Clean your RV window screens without water
By Jim Twamley
To thoroughly clean my RV window screens, I remove them and wash them with soap and water. But if they are merely dusty, a microfiber towel will do a great job without using water. Continue reading.
Using ketchup to clean your RV’s BBQ grill, plus other tips to keep it like new
By Gail Marsh
Everyone loves to use it, but very few of us like to clean it. What is it? A BBQ grill. This trusty workhorse helps RVers enjoy yummy burgers, steaks, and hot dogs all season long. And that’s exactly why we all need some tips, tricks, and hacks to easily clean our RV’s BBQ grill.
Tips to clean a gunky gray water tank. Yes, yours is gunky, too
By Nanci Dixon
This all started when our suction cup soap holder in the shower fell off the wall. I decided to clean the soap residue from the soap holder and, while at it, I cleaned another soap container. The soap didn’t just rinse off, and both items needed a good soak. The bucket I was soaking them in ended up full of soap scum, and I realized that the residue in the bucket was a microcosm of what must be in our gray water holding tank. It was time to clean.
Tips for cleaning the inside of your windshield
By Gail Marsh
Of all the parts on your truck or motorhome, your windshield is one of the most important to keep clean. Most folks have no problem cleaning the exterior of the windshield. Almost every fuel station has a cleaner, a sponge, and paper towels that will scrub the windshield’s exterior clean. However, the job isn’t done until both sides of the glass sparkle. So here are some tips for cleaning the inside of your windshield.
Cleaning RV air vents: A simple, important task to breathe easy
By Gail Marsh
I don’t know about you, but I rarely look up when I’m inside our RV. That changed a few days ago. I happened to be contemplating very deep thoughts (read: relaxing) on the sofa when I noticed the intake air vent above me. Hmm… it looked dusty. Really dusty! “Is there a way to clean that?” I wondered. The answer is yes, and it was much needed!
How to clean a Blackstone griddle
By Gail Marsh
Our Blackstone griddle has seen a lot! From the Rocky Mountains to the Florida shores, we’ve cooked countless breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on our trusty Blackstone. The bad news? Our favorite cooktop has accumulated some rust. The good news? Blackstone® provides a straightforward fix, designed to get your flat-top back to work without guesswork. Here’s how to clean it.
How to clean your RV’s microwave
By Gail Marsh
It happened again! I was popping some microwave popcorn and got distracted. Ugh! Whenever I open the microwave door, I’m continually reminded of my blunder! Funny how a single overcooked popcorn bag odor can hang inside the RV microwave like an uninvited guest. Small spaces make smells stronger and linger longer… I need to freshen up my microwave. Now!
What spring RV projects are you attempting this year? Leave a comment below and tell us.
RVT1255
Back to toilet seals. It is recommended to change to seal it needed. If toilet no longer holds water and sealent or Vaseline does not soften it to keep sealed, how do I actual change our the seal without risk of dropping g anything into the toilet? Thank you and see you all down the road!