We've gotten a good start on our spring cleaning with dusting, cleaning the air conditioner grill and filter, cleaning the upholstered items and rugs, and packing away our winter gear. Let's go a bit deeper and really get our RVs ready for a bright and sunny spring!
Cleaning the Windows
If your window treatments are removable and washable, take them down and run them thought the laundry. If not, it's a good idea to vacuum them with an upholstery attachment on your vacuum. You might need to use a lower suction setting as you do this task.
While the window treatments are down, or else more the blinds up as far as they go, it's time to clean those windows! Your RV might be like mine with a bit of mold growing on the window trims due to condensation over the winter. I clean my window trims by dipping a microfiber cloth in vinegar and wiping all the mold away. It stops smelling very quickly as it dries. You don't ever want to use bleach on mold, but vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or a fungicide work well. Then, move to spraying the window glass and wiping it. You can use a glass cleaner or look for an all-purpose cleaner that says it's good for windows, as well.
While we clean the windows, we need to also clean those screens. Check in your RV manual on how to remove them, or be like me and just figure it out by trial and error! I like to spray a little Dawn Powerwash on the screens in the shower. I do only a few at a time and let them sit a bit with the cleaning solution on them, then use the shower head to spray them clean. Let them drip dry in the shower or outside if you have a protected area so they don't blow away.
Clean your dehumidifiers
Most full-time RVers will use dehumidifiers in the winter if they live in a cold climate due to condensation build up from warm inside air and cold outside air. Our climate is cold and dry in the winters, but that does not stop the build up inside the trailer of condensation. We put out a lot of vapor breathing, then activities like showering and doing the dishes add moisture to the air. Depending on your climate, you might have to run your dehumidifier all year, but this is a good time to stop and really clean them up. Of course, check your user manual, but ours have removable and washable filters. I also give the outside a very good dusting with a damp cloth and use a point (such as a pencil) and wrap it in the damp cloth to wipe out each louver. I also have found that our dehumidifiers like to grow mold in the water collection chambers, so when I dump the water, I put a few tablespoons of vinegar in the chamber before putting it back. This seems to deter the mold growth and we don't notice a smell.
Deep clean the kitchen
As full-timers, most of us use our kitchens every day. This means grease and dust build up! Time to use a good degreasing cleaner on the stove surround, the stove top, and backsplashes. I also degrease my range hood and the undersides of the nearby cabinets. It's a great time to wash the light cover and filter in the range hood, as well. For the wood cabinet doors in my RV, I like to mix warm water and Murphy's Oil Soap to give them a good cleaning. I've also found that if a cabinet door is a little damaged or dried out, to use some Howard's Feed & Wax on those doors. I end up treating the bathroom cabinet doors since they take a beating from moist shower air.
Don't neglect the lower cabinets and drawers, either. They need a good deep cleaning. It's a great time to take a quick pass through your drawers to see if there's any easy clutter hiding out. Wipe out the drawers and cabinets to get those crumbs out.
Deep clean the bathroom
RV bathrooms are pretty small and get cleaned frequently when living in them full-time, but be sure to give them a deeper cleaning this spring. Here are some cleaning tasks:
- Wipe down the ceilings and walls with an all-purpose cleaner.
- Wash or replace your shower curtain or clean your shower surround.
- Mop or hand wipe the area behind the toilet that's awkward and hard to do as often as you might want.
- Check the bathroom cabinets for any easy trash or clutter.
- Wipe out your cabinets and drawers.
- Use Murphy's Oil Soap or Howard's Wax & Feed to wipe down your cabinet and drawer fronts.
Freshen up your bedroom
Time to wash your bedding and maybe change it up for spring and summer. Strip off the comforter, bedspread, or whatever blankets you are using and get them run thought your washer & dryer, or take them to the laundromat if you need a jumbo washer to get it done. Time to wash and pack away your flannel sheets and switch to cotton. I love to use brighter colors in the spring and summer compared to the winter, so my bedding choices reflect that preference. You might want to spray Febreeze or a similar odor remover over your mattress and let it air out while you are laundering the bedding. My favorite bedding purchase has been QuickZip sheets. I got a percale set with an extra add-on zip sheet, and also two add-on zip sheets in flannel. They save my back!
Clean and organize your storage areas
We are still focusing on the interior of the RV, but most have storage under the furniture or in cabinets mounted to the walls. Take a few minutes to go through what you have stored. Check for pests or mold & mildew. Wipe them out with an all-purpose cleaner, but be sure to let them dry thoroughly before putting your items back into them. The cabinet doors can get wiped down with an appropriate product.
Now that we have cleaned more of our RVs interior in preparation for spring and summer, things should be smelling and looking fresh! Not only do we get to enjoy our fresh and clean spaces, but regular cleaning and maintenance will help our RV interiors last longer and look better. By following these tips and tackling each area one at a time, you can make the process of spring cleaning your RV interior feel less scary. So grab your cleaning supplies, put on some music, and let's get started!