April 27th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Caravans are a big investment, whether it is a static caravan or a touring caravan – as well as the initial cost there are also maintenance and running fees to keep in mind too. So, it's important to keep it in the best condition possible after all you don’t want all that money to go to waste or to lose out on any vacation time due to an issue that could have been easily prevented. In this guide, we'll go through everything you need to know about cleaning your caravan and keeping it looking great!

Inspect the caravans

As the owner of a caravan, you want to make sure that it is in good condition. This means taking the time to thoroughly inspect your caravan on a fairly regular basis or at the very least before and after each use. There are a few particularly important parts that you should be focusing on as damage to these areas can result in large costs.

Checking the Plumbing and Water System: 

Another very important part of caravan care is to thoroughly check the plumbing and water system. There are many different water and waste systems used in caravans depending on the model and of course, whether you use a static or touring caravan. However, it is important to ensure you are regularly cleaning and checking water systems – ensure it is free of any debris and that there are no obstructions in any of the pipes that may present blockage or slow-running water. For example, many touring vans will use a water container as their main source of water – yet many caravaners often overlook cleaning these out with a made-for-purpose steriliser. This is incredibly important to keep water not only tasting fresh but to prevent a build-up of bacteria which can cause odour or even illness. You should also ensure to use the right chemicals to clean and keep waste and flush tanks clean so that they can continue to work at their best and prevent odours building up – after all no one wants to be stuck in a small caravan where all you can smell is the toilet!

Pro-Kleen Caravan Toilet Chemical Blue 2L + Pink 2L

Price: £15.98

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Check the Roof:

It is important to check the roof of your caravan for any damage keep an eye out for things such as tears, dents and rusted paintwork. These issues obviously all need to be treated as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming worse or even completely unsalvageable. You should also be checking your roof for any possible leaks – you can usually check this easily by using a hose pipe to wet the roof of your caravan before checking the interior to see if any of the water comes through – don’t use too much water however as you don’t want to actively cause damage to your own caravan.

Check Windows, Doors and Vents

You may have noticed that caravans often suffer from black streaks on the paintwork that usually seem to come from the windows or doors, especially in particularly wet and rainy seasons. These black streaks are a result of the sealant around these areas and can be an indication that they have begun to deteriorate so take time to thoroughly check the seals and make repairs here needed to avoid the risk of drafts or leaks. You should also take time to remove any debris and dust from the vents to prevent the obstruction of airflow.

Check the tires

Before every trip, it's essential to check your caravan’s tires to ensure they're in good condition and properly inflated. This will help to prevent any blowouts or accidents on the road.

Check the gas system

Make sure that the gas system of your caravan is working correctly before you set off on any trips. This includes checking that the gas cylinders are properly secured, that there are no gas leaks, and that the appliances are functioning correctly.

Clean the outside

While this may seem like an obvious one it can also be quite easily overlooked, but it is important to regularly clean the outside of your caravan to keep it not only looking its best but to ensure it is in top working condition too, the same way you take time to clean and look after your car. To clean the outside of your caravan:

·        Using a hose or pressure washer rinse down the surface of your caravan to remove any dust, dead bugs or dirt

·        Then use a made-for-purpose cleaner such as the Pro-Kleen Carvana and motorhome cleaner use warm water and a sponge or brush to scrub and agitate more stubborn areas of dirt such as black streaks and to give your paintwork an excellent shine

·        Once the area has been scrubbed, rinse thoroughly to remove all suds and excess product.

·        We also recommended getting an acrylic cleaner to give the windows of your van that extra shine.

Pro-Kleen Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner 2 x 2L

Price: £17.99

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Clean the inside

Caravans can really become s home away from home, so just like you would your home it is important to take time to clean and care for the interior of your caravan too, but you should also keep in mind that the materials used in caravans are often different to those around the home so you should take care to avoid using chemicals that are too abrasive such as bleach on the hard surfaces as this may cause discolouration or deterioration of the surface instead try using less abrasive anti-bacterial sprays.

When cleaning the upholstery, thoroughly hoover first using a soft brush to remove any dust and debris – it is also important to be careful not to use too much water as this can become trapped in the fabric and can lead to mould or dampness developing – instead of using a heavy-duty carpet cleaner try using a mixture of carpet cleaner and warm water mixed together in a spray bottle – spray on the desired areas and scrub with a brush and the open windows and door to allow to dry.

Store it properly

The final tip we have to offer is perhaps one of the most important and that is to ensure when you're not using your caravan, it is stored correctly. This is to protect it from the elements and prevent any damage from occurring, and protect it from the build-up of mould, algae or dampness. To do this we highly recommend investing in a robust cover for additional protection and where possible storing it in a dry, secure location.

We hope that this guide will serve as a helpful checklist to keep your caravan looking its best and working as it should!