Your Post-Trip RV Cleaning Checklist

After you’re done with your camping trip or your journey to visit family and friends, you’ll need to take the time to clean out your RV. Obviously, you don’t have to do this the very day you get back, but after a good night’s sleep, you’ll want to tackle the project before anything gets out of hand. Cleaning up your RV will keep it from developing mold and mildew and it’ll make preparing for your next trip much easier and faster!

So where should you start when cleaning out your rig? Broadmoor RV, serving the Tri-Cities region of Washington State, has provided this handy RV checklist to help you streamline your post-trip cleaning process. Follow these steps and you’ll have a sparkling-clean RV in no time!

Gather The Troops

You’re going to need help with this task because it’s far too much labor for one person to do on their own. Get the kids involved with age-appropriate tasks: even little ones can help pick up their toys, take dirty clothes to the laundry room and use a rag to dust low tables. Make sure that you plan something fun for everyone to do afterward, like going out for ice cream or ordering in pizza! Play some music on a Bluetooth speaker to liven things up and make the time pass more quickly.

1. Air Out The RV

Open up the doors and windows of your rig, along with the vents, and allow the interior to air out. This will also make it more pleasant to clean since it won’t feel stuffy and cramped. You can add air fresheners, too, or even set up an air purifier to clear up dust as you work.

2. Do Laundry

Now it’s time to take out all the sheets, blankets, towels and curtains to give them a thorough washing. You’ll also be washing all of your dirty clothes from the trip, but it’s important that you keep the RV linens and towels clean and restock them in the rig when you’re through.

3. Remove Perishables & Trash

Go through the fridge and pantry and remove all perishable foods. You can leave behind any canned goods that will stay fresh or anything in an airtight container that’s meant to last, like oatmeal. Empty all trash receptacles and take the trash out. Collect cans and bottles for recycling. You’ll want to clean and wipe down the fridge, freezer, cabinets and trash can. You can put a box of baking soda in the fridge to keep it fresh.

4. Clean The Bathroom

This isn’t anyone’s favorite chore, but it’s a necessary one. The bathroom needs to be wiped down and sanitized. Use a toilet brush to scrub the toilet using chemicals that are appropriate for your particular RV. Remove your shower curtain if you have one and clean it outside, then allow it to fully dry before replacing it. Replace any necessities that may be running low, like toilet paper or hand soap, and take out any makeup, toothbrushes or other hygiene products that you’ll need in the house.

5. Vacuum, Sweep & Mop Floors

Your hard floors need to be swept and mopped. You can probably sweep some stuff right out the doors, which makes things easy. If you have any throw rugs, take them outside and shake them. Some can be thrown in the washer, then draped over your porch furniture to dry. Vacuum all carpeting in your bedrooms or other areas; you may need to get a wet or steam vacuum for stubborn stains. Make sure the floor is fully dry before closing up your rig.

6. Empty Your Holding Tanks

Finally, you’ll want to empty all your holding tanks and clean them out. It isn’t a pleasant task, but it has to be done. Your owner’s manual will have the proper set of steps for this process. Make sure that the tanks are emptied, the hoses are cleaned out and dry before storage, and that you’ve added any necessary chemicals to sterilize or freshen the tanks.

Visit one of our dealerships serving Pasco, Kennewick and Richland to see our full stock of new and used RVs for sale. We also offer RV consignment, as well as a service department that can take care of your professional maintenance needs. Broadmoor RV proudly serves the greater Seattle and Spokane metro areas here in Washington State.