Complete guide to cleaning a caravan

Cleaning your caravan is the best way to keep it looking its best for many years. Although it can be a daunting task, there are cleaning products and other items that will make the process far easier. 

In this guide to cleaning a caravan, we share the equipment you need, the steps for cleaning the interior and exterior, and answers to some caravan cleaning FAQs.

What cleaning equipment will I need?

Before cleaning your caravan, consider what you use to clean your house and car, as combining these items will typically result in what you need. Gather the following items before you start so you can complete the job with no interruptions:

• Water—either via a hose or in buckets, depending on what’s available to you
• Large sponges
• A ladder or step, depending on the height of your caravan
• A long-handled soft brush or mop for those hard-to-reach areas
• Caravan shampoo, polish, and window cleaner
• A squeegee
• A soft brush
• Cloths and dusters (microfibre options work well)
• A vacuum cleaner
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Air freshener

Step-by-step guide to cleaning a caravan

Exterior

1. Use a hose or bucket and sponges to clean the exterior of your caravan. Depending on the shampoo’s instructions, add caravan shampoo to the water or directly onto the caravan.
2. Use your long-handled soft brush or mop to clean the roof—this is where your ladder or step can come in handy, too!
3. Run your squeegee over your caravan to remove excess water. This will help to prevent unsightly watermarks on the paintwork and windows.
4. Apply caravan polish to your caravan according to the polish’s specific instructions. Use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the paintwork.
5. Clean the windows using caravan window cleaner. Once again, use a soft cloth.
6. When cleaning, pay special attention to your caravan’s wheels— depending on where you’ve been driving, they can attract lots of dirt and dust. This also provides a good opportunity to check the tyre tread and look for signs of low tyre pressure.

Related: A guide to caravan tyre pressures

Interior

1. Clean kitchen surfaces and wipe down cupboard fronts.
2. Clean any appliances, such as the fridge, hob, or microwave. Take off any removable parts to ensure you can clean into any hidden nooks.
3. Dust and polish surfaces in living areas, such as tables, shelves, and decorative items.
4. Strip any bedding and cushion covers and pop these into the washing machine for a freshen-up.
5. Vacuum the floor and follow this with a mop in the kitchen, bathroom, and anywhere else that has easy-wipe flooring.
6. If you’re performing a caravan deep clean, steam carpets and upholstery to remove stains and trapped smells.
7. Clean the shower, toilet, and sink. Bicarbonate of soda can help with removing stubborn marks.
8. Use caravan window cleaner to clean the windows, ensuring they’re clear and shiny inside and out.

Caravan cleaning FAQs

How often should you clean your caravan?

How often you should clean your caravan is subjective, as the answer can differ depending on how often it’s used and where you park it. As a rule of thumb, aim to clean your caravan weekly to maintain it and then give it another clean after each trip. Cleaning your caravan before you park it up for winter is important for its maintenance.

Should you jet wash your caravan?

Jet washing a caravan can cause damage that should be avoided, such as damaging window and door seals, paintwork, and joints. If you do need to jet wash your caravan, use a low-pressure setting and try to avoid windows and door seals to prevent causing damage to these delicate areas.

Related: How to properly clean a caravan water system 

What is best to clean a caravan with?

There are cleaning products specifically designed for caravans, including shampoos, polishes, and window cleaners, so opt for these where possible. Soft cloths, sponges, and brushes should be used to avoid scratching or damaging paintwork and interior surfaces.

How do I get my caravan to shine again?

Combining high-quality caravan cleaning products can help you make your caravan shine and leave it looking as good as new.

Start with a caravan shampoo to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Give it a thorough rinse with water. Follow this with a caravan polish on the paintwork, buffing it off with a soft cloth to create a shine. Don’t use polish on seals or plastic components.

Finally, use caravan wax to enhance the shine and protect your vehicle from dirt and debris.

How do I get black marks off a caravan?

Specific products have been created to remove black marks from caravans, including Fenwicks Black Streak Remover, Triplewax Caravan Black Streak Remover, Silky Silky1 Cream Cleaner, and Pro-Kleen Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner.

Maintaining your caravan by cleaning it regularly, keeping vents and seals in good working order, and applying a protective paintwork coating can help prevent black streaks from appearing.

Ironically, wax and polish can cause black streaks on a caravan when left to build up, so keep this in mind when cleaning your caravan and use cleaning products as instructed.

Related: The 5 best caravan polish products on the market

How do you get rid of green algae on a caravan?

The process required to remove green algae from a caravan is similar to that required to eliminate black marks. Rhino Goo Caravan Cleaner and Caraclean by Valetissimo are a couple of top products to use on green algae and have been created for this purpose.

Some products require you to apply them and wait before removing them. To achieve the best results, ensure you check the instructions on the product you choose.

Specialist caravan insurance through Ripe

Got your caravan sparkling again? While you’re at it, you may also want to consider specialist insurance for extra peace of mind.

Through Ripe, tourers are covered against theft, loss, or damage up to the value of £75,000 and static caravans up to the value of £175,000. You can also opt for additional cover to protect your contents and awnings.

Click here to learn more about how we can help or get an instant online quote.