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How to Properly Clean your Caravan Exterior

We recommend you give your caravan a good clean once a month. Cleaning this frequently will mean it is much quicker and easier when the time comes. It will also help to prevent mould and algae growth and keep the paintwork healthy.

Cleaning Supplies:

• Caravan cleaning shampoo
• Caravan wheel cleaner
• Caravan window cleaner
• Bucket/hose
• Sponge/cleaning brush
• Wheel brush
• Microfiber cloth/chamois leather
• Step ladder
• Awning brush/bottle brush

•Before you start, gather all your cleaning supplies and make sure you can access all sides of the caravan easily.

• Rinse the caravan with clean water to remove loose dirt and debris. Start by rinsing the roof first. You can either use a hose, or pour over buckets of water. Lukewarm water will help to shift dirt as it can dissolve small particles.

•Mix your caravan cleaning solution with the recommended amount of lukewarm water in a pump spray bottle.

•Working in sections and starting with the roof, spray the cleaner onto the caravan and work in with a sponge or caravan cleaning brush to clean away dirt. Using a cleaning brush with a pole extension is the easiest way to clean a caravan as it allows you to cover large areas while standing in one spot.

- Note: don’t be tempted to use the same shampoo for your caravan as you do your car! The paintwork on a caravan is totally different to that of a car, therefore each require different types of cleaning solutions. Car cleaner is typically more abrasive, whereas caravan cleaner is gentler on paintwork yet tough on stubborn dirt.
soap bubbles
• Use the caravan cleaning brush and a stepladder to clean the exterior roof of your caravan first.

• It is recommended you remove your caravan’s skylight to give it a thorough clean. Once it is removed, clean around the seal gently with a damp cloth. Make sure the area is totally dry before putting the skylight back into place.

- Tip: if your skylight is made up of two panes, you can use a duster and a wire coat hanger to ‘floss’ between the panes. Simply squeeze one end of the hanger, cover with the duster and secure with an elastic band. Gently push it back and forth between the layers to remove any trapped dirt.

• Move onto cleaning the front, back and sides of the caravan. As you are cleaning, take the time to inspect the paintwork and body for damage or signs of deterioration. Noticing signs of wear early will mean you can take action to prevent further damage.

•Rinse with clean water from the garden hose. Avoid using a pressure washer as this could ruin the seals around the doors, windows and vents.

•Look for areas you may have missed and spot clean them.
microfibre cloths
• Use a caravan window cleaner to clean and microfiber duster to buff windows. Caravan window cleaners are specifically formulated to clean acrylic and Perspex. Before buffing, make sure no dirt or grit remains as this could easily scratch the acrylic.

• Clean the caravan wheels using a wheel brush and wheel cleaner. This is also a good time to check the condition of the tyres.

• Take extra care around window and door seals and be sure to check they are fully dry after washing. Buff the glass with a microfiber cloth to remove streaks. You may find it easier to buff windows when they are still slightly wet.
water droplets on glass
• Dirt trapped in the groove of your caravans awning rail can transfer to your caravan and cause unsightly marks. Keep the rail clean by using an awning rail brush to remove all the gunk from inside the groove. A bottle brush may also do the trick here, however awning brushes have a specially designed handle which makes it easier to use.

• If you want to polish your caravan after washing, you can use a squeegee to speed up the drying process, along with a chamois leather of microfiber cloth.
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