How to Keep an RV or Camper Looking New Between Washes

An RV or camper is a lot of surface to keep clean. Between the roof, the long sides, the awning and the slide-outs, it's more square footage than most houses have in windows. And in North Texas it spends a good part of the year baking in the sun, catching pollen and picking up road dust on the way to the lake.

You don't need to wash it every week. A few easy habits between washes keep it looking newer for longer, and make the next full wash go a lot easier.

Rinse it after a dusty or muddy trip

Caliche roads, gravel campgrounds and rain on the way home all leave a film on the lower sides and back of an RV. Left to sit, that dirt dries hard and is tougher to get off later. A plain rinse with a garden hose after a trip, focusing on the lower third of the rig and the back wall, takes most of it off before it sets.

Rinse from the top down, and don't blast seams, vents or window seals with high pressure. Water forced into a seam is how leaks start.

Watch for black streaks

Those dark streaks running down from the roof edges and under the windows come from dirt and roof runoff. They're easy to ignore until the whole side of the camper looks grey. The sooner they're cleaned off, the easier they come off. Once they've baked in the sun for a summer, they take a lot more work.

Look at the roof

The roof is the part of an RV nobody sees and the part that matters most. Leaves, sticks and dirt collect around vents, the AC unit and the edges. When you're up there or can see it from a ladder:

• Sweep or rinse off leaves and debris so water drains instead of sitting.
• Take a look at the sealant around vents and edges. Cracked or peeling sealant is worth having checked by an RV shop before it lets water in.

Keep the awning dry before you roll it up

Rolling up an awning wet is the fastest way to get mildew spots on it. If you have to pack up in the rain, open it back up to dry once you're home. Brush off leaves and bird mess before they stain.

Park it smart when you can

Shade, a carport or a cover cuts down on how much sun and pollen the rig takes. Parking away from trees that drop sap or berries helps too. Not everyone has room to do this, and that's fine. It just means the outside needs a little more attention.

Don't forget the inside

A camper that sits closed up gets stuffy and dusty. A few things help:

• Shake out rugs and sweep before you close it up after a trip.
• Wipe down the counters and table so crumbs don't invite pests.
• Leave cabinets and the fridge cracked open if it'll sit for a while, so they don't trap odors.

When it's time for a full wash

Habits stretch the time between washes, but they don't replace one. It's time for a proper hand wash when:

• The black streaks won't come off with a rinse.
• The sides look dull or chalky instead of glossy.
• You're getting it ready for a big trip, or getting it ready to sell.
• It's been sitting all season and you want to start fresh.

Hicks Mobile Detailing washes RVs and campers by hand, wherever they're parked: your driveway, your shop, or your campsite. No hauling a big rig to a wash bay that might not fit it. RVs are priced by length, so check the price list, or text a photo of the rig for a quote.

We come to you

Hicks works anywhere in Wise County and the surrounding areas, including Decatur, Bridgeport, Boyd and Runaway Bay. Pay when the job is done.

Ready to get the camper clean? Book online or call (469) 713-9313. Text a photo for a quick quote.