Inside Job

Keeping your RV’s interior clean is as simple as applying the right products and techniques

By Chris Hemer

s the travel season comes to a close, now is a good time to think about detailing the interior of your RV before Old Man Winter comes rolling in. None of us particularly like the idea of housework, but cleaning the RV’s living space before putting the rig away for the season means you’ll return to a clean, fresh interior come springtime. Besides, keeping your carpet/floors, furniture and cabinets clean will keep them looking newer, longer.

RV interiors are different from many homes in that they can consist of multiple materials and surfaces, like carpet, fabric upholstery, leather/Ultraleather, tile, stone, fiberglass and wood — and each has its own cleaning regimen. The good news is that it only takes a few hours and a few common household and RV-specific solutions to make your RV sparkle like new inside.

When an RV is new, most components/surfaces will be fitted with a tag or sticker that tells you how to clean the without causing damage. If not, contact the manufacturer if you are uncertain about cleaning; most of the time a non-abrasive cleanser will do the job without scratching the finish. If you have the owner’s manual, it should also contain cleaning instructions.

Odds are good you don’t have a ton of storage space for cleaning products in your RV, but you don’t need much. A few different products can handle all your cleaning needs.

Rather than an overview of cleaning in general, we’ve broken it up into categories to make finding the solution easier and faster. While we can’t cover every possible cleaning scenario (that could be a book in itself) we’ve done our best to present effective ways to solve the cleaning issues you’re likely to find. And don’t forget, the Internet is a great resource when it comes to finding solutions to specific stains on various materials/surfaces.

While canned food isn’t rodent dining fare, they can expire; it’s a good idea to empty your cabinets and pantry for the winter. (Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Cabinets

While keeping your RV stocked up and ready for the next trip is certainly convenient during travel season, leftover food stuffs should be removed from the cabinets and pantry before winter. Quite apart from the fact that food and supplies will probably expire during storage, they invite insects and rodents in to dine on your leftovers. Rats and mice, in particular, have been known to chew through pipes, plumbing and wiring to get to your goodies — and once inside, will likely find your RV an inviting place to spend the winter. Either throw your food items out or place them in plastic containers and take them home. Then, vacuum the inside of the cabinets and clean them with an all-purpose cleaner, or just soap and warm water. Use caution when using cleaning products that are only designed for real wood. Some laminates or photo-printed surfaces can become damaged by using chemicals instead of a damp cloth. Lysol or Clorox wipes work well to clean up any remaining food or stains.

Spills can happen whether in your home or RV. The important thing is to address them immediately — the longer it sits, the harder the stain will be to remove. To clean carpet, first blot the stain with clean white paper towel or a clean white cloth. Keep blotting until you’ve soaked up as much of the offending liquid as possible.

Carpet

Most common stains can be removed with a spot carpet cleaner, but beware: They’re not all created equal. In fact, some carpet cleaning products can actually make stains worse, as their residue can actually attract dirt.

So how do you know what’s best for you and your RV? Look for products that have been awarded the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval (SOA). The CRI tests an assortment of carpet cleaning solutions and equipment and has found a big difference in how well these products work. According to the organization’s website, the CRI is the carpet industry’s only scientific program designed to test and measure the effectiveness of cleaning products and equipment, helping consumers make informed decisions about the product(s) they use. Products are evaluated on seven performance attributes, which include soil removal efficacy, resoiling, residual moisture, surface appearance change, pH level and optical brighteners.

Spray the stain with your chosen cleaner, per the product’s instructions. If this is your first time using the product, make sure to test it on an inconspicuous area first. We’ve had good results with Spot Shot, which has very positive reviews online and is approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute.

In addition, products that have passed the SOA testing protocol have also earned certification as “green” products, which is an important, considering that an RV interior is a relatively small space and some chemicals can cause health problems for sensitive individuals.

Spot Shot, a product of the WD-40 company, is one carpet cleaning product that is a recipient of the CRI SOA and has received rave reviews on the Internet. We’ve tried and continue to use this product ourselves on both carpet and fabric upholstery (always test any product in an inconspicuous area first before using as directed). Spot Shot has a mild scent and is non-toxic and biodegradable, so it’s safe for you, your pets and your kids. For pet stains, consider Spot Shot Pet Instant Stain and Odor Eliminator, or Nature’s Miracle.

Blot the stain, moving from the outside to the inside of the area. This will help prevent spreading the spill and making it larger. Once it appears that all the stain has been removed (no more of liquid is visible on your cleaning cloth), use another clean cloth dipped in water to rinse the area. Blot as dry as you can, then leave a dry piece of paper towel or cloth on the area until completely dry. This will help wick more moisture from the fibers and prevent you (or others) from stepping on the area.

Whatever carpet you have or product you choose, the CRI offers these general spot cleaning tips:

Act quickly — delaying may cause the spill to become a permanent stain. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon. Break up solids and vacuum.
Pretest any spot removal solution (for color transfer to the cloth or damage to the carpet) in an inconspicuous area. If a change occurs, select another solution.
Apply a small amount of the solution to a white cloth and work in gently (don’t rub), working from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent spreading. Allow to remain on the spill a few minutes. Be patient. Blot.
Continue to use the first agent as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times.
When the spill is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry cloth until all moisture is removed.

Many surfaces, such as laminate and vinyl, don’t have specific instructions on cleaning. In these instances, a good multi-purpose cleaner like Voom! RV Cleaner from Roadmaster can solve most of your problems (dilute as directed). We use this stuff all the time in our home and RV.

For tips on removing specific types of stains, the CRI’s Spot Solver page can help: https://carpet-rug.org/resources/spot-solver/. For a list of approved cleaning products and equipment, visit https://carpet-rug.org/testing/seal-of-approval-program/

Thetford makes fiberglass products, so you can be sure that its Aqua Clean Kitchen and Bath Cleaner is safe for use on porcelain, countertops and stainless-steel. The product removes soap scum, iron stains and hard water deposits, is bleach-free and 100% biodegradable. It can also be used on fiberglass sinks, showers and toilets.

Countertops

While laminate was once the sole choice for RV countertops, there is now a full range of products for RV use, up to and including natural stone. Depending on the surface, the cleaning procedures are different; laminate, for example, cleans up easily with soap and water and/or an “all purpose” product like Roadmaster’s Voom! RV Cleaner.

There are also a number of different companies manufacturing so-called “solid surface” products, which is pretty much any surface made from polyester, acrylic or, in some instances, a combination of both. These counters are easy to clean but can scratch easily if an abrasive is applied. Use only a non-abrasive cleanser like Bar Keepers Friend and a non-scratching scrub sponge on countertops to avoid damage (that goes for the solid-surface sink, too, if applicable). The good news is, solid surface products are all easy to repair, so if you do scratch it, the damage can usually be buffed out.

The last category is natural stone and engineered stone surfaces. The only thing to be aware of here is that natural stone is porous, even if a coating has been applied. That means there are tiny nooks and crannies in the surface that can allow bacteria to grow (which is why it’s not used in restaurant kitchens) — make sure you use an anti-bacterial cleaner on these counters, like the aforementioned Lysol or Clorox wipes, to be safe, and use non-scratching pads to remove tough stains. Engineered stone products look and feel like natural stone but are non-porous. If in doubt, ask your dealer/manufacturer what material was used in your RV, and recommendations for cleaning it.

The Dremel Versa is one of the most versatile tools for cleaning bathrooms and other areas in an RV. It’s also perfect for cleaning barbecue grills, wheels and patio furniture. The kit comes with three cleaning pads for specific purposes, a base for the pad, bristle brush and rubber splash guard.

Fiberglass

Whether it’s in your sinks, toilet, shower or all of the above, fiberglass is a fact of life in an RV — so learning to clean it effectively and safely is crucial. Above all, it is important to remember that, while fiberglass is strong, its surface is delicate and can be damaged easily. In sinks, use a store-bought, non-abrasive cleanser, a specialty product like Thetford’s Aqua Clean, or a home remedy like baking soda and a sponge dipped in white vinegar.

If you want to dial back on the elbow grease, one product we’ve used with a great deal of success is the Dremel Versa, a handheld, wireless cleaning device that makes easy work of removing grime and stains from various surfaces — and really works well in the bathroom with all its crevices. The Versa fits ergonomically in your hand, is lightweight and can be fully charged in around two hours. It typically sells for $40 on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3xCsiVw) and comes with an eraser pad, non-scratch pad, heavy duty pad, bristle brush, rubber splash guard (which sometimes gets in the way when working in tight areas) and the base for attaching the pads. Replacement pads are available in kit form or individually online and at home improvement stores.

The Versa’s bristle brush works well around soap dishes, diverter valves and any other areas too hard to reach with a towel. Those with hand/arm issues related to repetitive motion will love the Dremel Versa.

The eraser pad is non-scratch and designed for cleaning showers, sinks and other similar surfaces; we’ve found the bristle brush to be the most versatile for bathroom cleaning. For years, folks have struggled to remove debris and stains (mostly from hard water and rust) from tiny channels and hardware obstacles using a microfiber towel and a wooden chopstick — yes, a chopstick is a great “tool” for getting into grooves and channels — but the Dremel Versa really improves the process. Cleaning the shower pan and walls takes about 30 minutes using the bristle brush and Voom! RV Cleaner. Once the surface grime is broken up, a microfiber cloth removes all residue. The Versa is small, lightweight and requires little effort to guide. It’s best not to bear down on the brush or pad because the motor will slow down; just let the brush and pads do all the work.

A shower squeegee like this one is invaluable at preventing hard water spots that can be very difficult to remove. Squeegee the walls and door after showering, then dry all surfaces with a microfiber or bath towel. You’ll never have to worry about hard water deposits again.

While on the subject of showers, you can make your life a lot easier by using a shower squeegee on the walls and door after every shower, and by drying with your bath or microfiber towel. This simple habit will prevent hard water spots from forming (which can be difficult to remove). If you’ve already got them, try the same cleansing methods mentioned above.

A good cleanser is essential for removing hardwater spots and other stubborn stains. Choose a mild product like Bar Keepers Friend or Bon Ami, which have no bleach and won’t scratch. A sponge with a non-scratching scrubbing pad is a great applicator.

Plumbing Fixtures and Stainless-Steel

For touch-ups, use a common glass cleaner or white vinegar and a paper towel — but for hard deposits, soap scum and the like, it’s hard to beat a non-abrasive cleanser like Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend. And keep in mind that stainless-steel actually has a “grain” (directional lines in the surface), so it’s easier and more effective to clean it with the grain, rather than against it.

The Swiffer WetJet is a compact, lightweight and effective way to clean wood, laminate and tile floors.

Floors

Obviously, sweeping regularly is the best way to protect your floor from scratches, regardless of whether the surface is vinyl, laminate or tile. Even so, you’re still going to have to mop once in a while — and who wants to deal with a heavy bucket of water and a wet mop? The Swiffer WetJet is a great solution for light mopping: Squeeze the trigger, and the multi-purpose cleaning solution sprays in front of the mop head. A textured pad collects dirt, while a large scrubbing strip up front makes it easy to remove tough or dried stains. The WetJet is safe for all types of floors — and when you’re done mopping, simply tear off the textured pad and throw it away.

For wood surfaces (both real and fake), it’s hard to beat good ‘ole Pledge. Spray it on, wipe it off—it removes dust and leaves a protective film behind.

Furniture & Woodwork

The “wood” part of this is easy: Real or fake, we like Pledge for wood care, as it brightens the finish and protects it from water stains. It works on sealed wood and laminates, which is what you’ll find in most RV interiors.

Upholstery, though, is quite a different matter. As with carpet, there are dozens (perhaps hundreds) of different fabrics on the market today, not to mention leather, synthetic leather (aka Ultraleather) and synthetic suede (aka microsuede). Generally speaking, most of the techniques used to clean carpet will also work on fabric furniture, but it’s a good idea to find out how to clean your specific furniture — and what product to use — before an accident happens. For example, Ultraleather and microsuede have a reputation for easy clean up — but where the former cleans up with a sponge, mild detergent and water, the same isn’t necessarily true for the latter. There are actually different types of microsuede — some that clean up with water, some that don’t — and if you use water on the wrong type, you can cause a permanent stain.

Some microsuede materials repel liquid, while others can be stained by it — so the first step is to determine the type of microsuede used. Underneath the seat cushion or elsewhere, there should be a label that identifies the type of fabric, and how it should be cleaned. Furniture labeled “W” should be cleaned with a water-based solution, or just water. “S”-labeled furniture, on the other hand, will be stained by water and must be cleaned with a water-free dry cleaning solvent. There are consumer products designed for dry-cleaning, such as Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, but it is probably best to seek professional help with this type of product. An “X” label means that you should vacuum clean only. For this type of fabric, make sure you attend to the spill right away — dab it lightly with white paper towel or cloth so that it won’t soak in, and sprinkle baking soda over larger spills. When it dries, use a vacuum on the area. In general, it’s always a good idea to vacuum before cleaning and perform a “spot test” with any cleaning product in an inconspicuous area (like the back of the furniture, for instance) to make sure it does not discolor the fabric.

Sticky stuff, like this glue residue on a laminate counter, can be murder to remove. We applied a small amount of Goo Gone, let the product sit for about five minutes, then simply wiped it away. This product really works, has a nice citrus fragrance and is safe for use on most surfaces.

A Few Other Cleaning Tips

Dust: A Swiffer duster is great for getting in between mini blinds; the California Dash Duster is perfect for removing dust from flat surfaces.
Pet Fur: Using a vacuum to remove pet hair from furniture and bedding is almost futile. The best method we’ve found is to use a silicone pet hairbrush, or even a common rubber dishwashing glove, to rub the fur out of the fabric. Then you can vacuum it up. For smaller accumulations of pet hair, Scotch Brite 50% Stickier Large Surface Lint Rollers (https://amzn.to/3pkS5kb) work great on upholstery and other cloth materials.
Sticky Stuff: In our opinion, it’s hard to beat original Goo Gone. We’ve used it on a number of stubborn messes, such as tar, stickers, tape residue and Crayon marks — but the company also claims it can remove oil, blood, lipstick, mascara and shoe polish. It’s environmentally friendly and has a pleasant citrus scent.
Dirty Fingerprints and Smudges: We have found that the original Mr. Clean Magic Eraser really does work like magic on a variety of surfaces. Made from melamine resin foam, these pads require only water to clean walls, doors, light switch panels and more — just be sure to test first on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it won’t cause scratch marks. There are also bath and kitchen variants available that make cleaning specific surfaces easier.
Windows: Take your pick from any of the dozens of window-cleaning products out there and hope the one you choose really works. We found Invisible Glass (invisibleglass.com) to be one of the best window cleaners out there. Or, you can take a tip from old pros and use plain ‘ole white vinegar and newspaper.

As an alternative, a popular home remedy for many cleaning jobs — including water spots and even stain eradication — is white vinegar, baking soda and a sponge. Soak the sponge in vinegar, and use the baking soda as a cleanser. White vinegar is also great for cleaning windows when used with wadded-up newspaper.

Sources:

Roadmaster, Inc.
(800) 669-9690
roadmasterinc.com

Thetford Corporation
(734) 769-6000
thetford.com

Other products mentioned in this article are readily available at most grocery stores and home improvement centers.

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