How to Do a Post Trip Cleaning

 

Routine "post trip" cleaning. You should invest a little time at the end of each trip to perform routine cleaning: sweep and mop or vacuum all the floors. Vacuum upholstered surfaces (don't forget the beds!).

 Wipe down the tables and counter tops. Clean the sinks and tub or shower and toilet.  Many RV toilets are made of plastic which has a tendency to yellow and darken over time.  You can often restore them to near new color by cleaning them with a solution of vinegar and lemon juice.

 Clean the stove and ovens. Clean up spilled foods in the cabinets. Thoroughly clean the refrigerator. I like to use a window cleaner with ammonia to sanitize the fridge and help prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Also leave the door open once you've turned it off, removed the contents, and cleaned it. RV stores have little gadgets to hold the fridge door open an inch or so to allow the inside to dry thoroughly and further prevent the development mold and mild while keeping the door from swinging open.

Remove the ice cube trays from the freezer or at least dump them out so they can dry. I like to store mine in my freezer at home so they're always full and ready for the next trip. 

Take any floor mats or rugs out of your new American motorhome and shake them, vacuum them, or beat them to remove loose dirt. Wash them if they are badly soiled.  Ordinary household furniture polish is usually adequate for routine cleaning of cabinets and counters. However, there are some wooden surfaces in my RV that I like to give a little extra attention to, to keep them looking their best.

For more intense treatment during annual cleaning, I use a beeswax-based cleaner and wax on all natural wood surfaces. It takes more rubbing than spray waxes but adds deeper protection and luster. This is something that might be relegated to annual maintenance. You might want to use saddle soap for a good deep annual cleaning of leather surfaces.   The dashboard is a huge expanse of vinyl. You will want to treat this frequently with appropriate detailing sprays to keep it in good condition and avoid cracks.

Take any sheets, pillow cases, towels, etc that have been used out and wash them before returning them to the RV. Clean all glass surfaces (windows and mirrors, microwave doors, TV screens). Empty all trash cans and remove all used trash bags. Remove dirty clothing.

Trash and dirty clothes left behind can perpetuate very unpleasant smells. Make sure any items you got out during the trip are returned to their proper places. Replenish any non-perishable supplies you used during the trip.

Review any list you made during the trip of services, repairs, or changes of supplies and equipment (additions or deletions) you may have noted and take care of them now.