Cleaning your RV slide-out topper is an essential maintenance task that helps keep your RV in good condition and extends the lifespan of the slide-out topper. The topper is a fabric cover that protects the slide-out from debris, leaves, and water when it’s extended. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your RV slide-out topper:
Choose the right time: Plan to clean the slide-out topper on a day with good weather. Avoid cleaning during windy or rainy days, as it may make the task more challenging and less effective.
Gather supplies: Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary supplies, including a ladder, mild RV roof soap or RV slide-out topper awning cleaner, a soft brush with bristles, a wash hose with a spray nozzle, and clean microfiber cloths or sponges.
Safety first: Set up your ladder securely, ensuring it’s on a level surface and leaning against a stable part of the RV. Take necessary precautions to avoid accidents while accessing the slide-out topper.
Extend the slide-out: Carefully extend the slide-out to its full length. This step ensures that you can clean the entire surface of the topper effectively.
Remove loose debris: Use a soft brush or a hand broom to gently sweep away any loose dirt, leaves, or branches from the topper. Be cautious not to damage the fabric while doing this.
Rinse the topper: With a hose equipped with a spray nozzle, rinse the slide-out topper to remove the remaining dirt and debris. Start from the top and work your way down, allowing the water to carry away the grime.
Clean with mild soap: Dilute mild soap or use a specific RV slide-out topper cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply the cleaning solution to the topper using a soft brush or sponge. Gently scrub the surface to remove any stubborn stains or dirt.
Rinse thoroughly: After scrubbing, rinse the topper thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of soap and dirt. Ensure that the soap is entirely washed away to avoid leaving any residue on the fabric.
Dry the topper: Allow the slide-out topper to air dry completely before retracting it back into the RV. This prevents mold and mildew from forming between the topper and the slide-out.
Retract the slide-out: Once the topper is dry, carefully retract the slide-out back into the RV.
Inspect for damage: While cleaning, take the opportunity to inspect the topper for any signs of damage, such as tears, holes, or worn-out areas. If you notice any issues, consider repairing or replacing the topper as needed.
Regular maintenance: To keep the slide-out topper in good condition, it’s essential to perform regular cleaning and maintenance. Depending on the environment and how often you use your RV, you may need to clean it a few times each season.
By following these steps and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, you can help ensure that your RV slide-out topper remains in excellent condition, providing optimal protection for your slide-out and extending its life.
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Thank you,
Dustin, Your RV Specialists
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For cleaning the slide roof is my trusty spaghetti mop… wring out the mop to damp, not dripping, and slide in between topper and slide-out to clean. Don’t forget to access from both ends …
Thanks for sharing
So what is the best way to clean the top of the slide and check the seals when you have a slide topper? Oh and what is the best way to clean the underside of the slide topper? Thank you
We always remove them, see your manufacture owners manual and it will show you how to pin the tube so it can be removed for cleaning and repairs.
It seems to me toppers are not worth the trouble. Sweeping the slide top before you retract is easy with a broom configured to allow you to do so while standing on the ground. One less system to maintain.
It’s true they’re more maintenance involved, keep in mind it’s like standing out in the sun versus standing out in the sun with an umbrella. Due to most light out roofs are only an inch and a half thick it does not block out the temperature in the inside as well, so having a slideout topper benefit you in so many more ways.
Not only does it reflect heat, but it also protects the wiper seals. The flange seals. It also protects the top of that roof, and it also protects the seals attached to the sidewalls at the roofline of the slideout.
Pretty soon I’ll do an article showing with a thermal camera, the difference with and without a slideout topper.