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Originally Posted On: https://kingstonidealstorage.com/rv-storage-7-spring-cleaning-tips/

 

When you’re ready to take your RV out of storage, you’ll need to perform a bit of spring cleaning before getting it out on the road.

Although you’ve put your pride and joy in RV storage during the off-season, it’s still important to give it a once-over in the spring to make sure everything’s in tip-top shape. It’s always better to clean things up and make little repairs prior to leaving for any big road trips. Treat your RV as your home away from home.

In this post, we’re going to give you 6 crucial spring cleaning tips that you can use to get your RV ready every year. There’s no denying that RV maintenance can be daunting, but read on and you’ll have a small, but complete checklist to go through before you’re ready to enjoy your RV all summer long.

1. Get All Your Supplies Together First

The first thing you need to do is get all of your cleaning supplies together. Most RV owners dread spring cleaning because it can be so time-consuming, but when you’re prepared, it can all be over within a few short hours.

Consider what kind of cleaning you’re about to do and make sure you’re equipped with the correct supplies before you head down to the RV storage facility. You’ll need both interior and exterior cleaning supplies, bring along the following items:

• A handheld vacuum
• Organic multi-purpose cleaner
• Several microfiber cloths
• Sealant
• WD-40
• Disposable gloves
• Garbage bags
• A Swiffer sweeper
• An extendable washing brush
• Wax and wash cleaner
• Upholstery cleaner
• Organizational tools, like hooks and storage bins

Bring along any tools that you might have to help you perform important RV maintenance. It’s better to bring extra supplies than to have to head back home or out to the hardware store to pick up what you forgot.

You can also make your own cleaning solutions out of vinegar, baking soda, and water. These are great for cleaning ovens, stovetops, toilets, and hard surfaces.

2. Wipe From the Top Down

With an RV, it’s always best to start your cleaning from the top and work your way down. Begin on the interior by taking your handheld vacuum or Swiffer and catching all of the dust caught in the crevices above you and in the other hard-to-reach areas. Whatever you don’t pick up will get knocked down and you can get it later.

Once you’ve cleared the ceiling of dust, grab one of your microfiber cloths and some all-purpose cleaner and wipe down all of the surfaces above you. Work your way down until you’ve covered everything from the ceiling fans to the driver controls.

After you’ve completed the main wipe down of the interior, fill up a bucket and get ready to do the same on the exterior. If you’ve got a great indoor RV storage facility, then it’s possible to skip the exterior cleaning altogether.

A good wax and wash cleaner will be able to handle most of the exterior. Take your extendable brush and go over the entire thing, inspecting it for damage along the way. Any small cracks or problems with seals will need to be looked at before you start driving the RV.

3. Bring a Vacuum In

Having a good vacuum with a few different implements is an important part of RV spring cleaning. You’ll need smaller implements to get into the smaller nooks and crannies where dirt and debris could be hiding. After you’ve done all of the spots above you, there should be lots to vacuum up on the floor as well.

You can use the vacuum for cleaning out drawers and even your refrigerator. Just make sure everything’s removed first, then pop your vacuum in and watch all of the dust disappear. It’s much more efficient than using wipes, so you’ll save a lot of time using this method.

4. Fridge Cleaning 101

Speaking of the refrigerator, this is often one of the worst parts of doing spring cleaning. Hopefully, you haven’t forgotten any old food in the fridge over the winter. If so, things could get messy and smelly.

Take everything out of the fridge, tossing the expired condiments and old food into the trash. As we said, you can vacuum out all of the loose crumbs. Remove the shelves and crisper buckets to soak in a sink of soapy water.

Once it’s completely empty, get the all-purpose cleaner, a microfiber cloth, and give it a thorough scrub. Make sure to do the freezer and the door seals as well. When you’re done, just put everything back as it was.

5. Clean the Things You Can’t See

It’s easy to forget about that which you cannot immediately see. Your awning and holding tank are two crucial aspects of your RV that you need to inspect before you’re out on a trip.

Your awning should be pretty straightforward. Just pull it out and give it a light wash with some soap, spray it down with a hose, then let it dry before putting it back.

For the tanks, make sure that they’ve all been drained properly and that there isn’t any buildup inside them. For safety, fill the tank up with water until it’s 2/3 full, then drain it once more. You can find more detailed instructions for holding tank cleaning here.

6. Check All Mechanical Aspects

Lastly, inspect all of the mechanical parts of your RV to make sure it’s functioning properly. Turn it on and check the lights, the engine, the oil, the heat, and AC. If it’s been sitting in a boat and RV storage facility like ours, then it should be in the same condition you left it in.

That said, it’s always good to have a mechanic give your RV a once-over to be 100% positive that it’s going to make it through a good road trip.

RV Storage Is Half the Battle

Spring cleaning is an important part of maintaining your RV, but having it stored in an indoor or covered RV storage facility is half the battle. If you’re in the Kingston, WA area and looking for the best RV storage, then type “RV storage near me” into Google and you’ll find Ideal Storage.

We offer indoor and covered RV storage facilities suitable for any type of RV. Visit our site today to learn more about how you can keep your RV safe over winter so you can keep your spring cleaning duties to a minimum.