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Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your RV: Simple Steps for Interior and Exterior Care

Today, I am going to show you how to clean an RV, both inside and out, in simple, easy steps. With an unprecedented demand in the RV rental world, people are renting their RVs to friends, family, and neighbours or using them themselves to go out on an adventure. we can show you how to clean, enhance, disinfect, and protect both the interior and exterior of your RV. This will make it not only more pleasurable to use but also easier to maintain during your maintenance cleanings, especially when you receive the RV back after renting it to someone.

We’re going to use a simple suite of products for both the inside and outside of your RV, and you’ll see just how straightforward it is. We’re not aiming for a museum finish. Instead, the goal is to clean, enhance, disinfect, and protect the surfaces to make them look a lot better.

For the interior, we have their multipurpose cleaner disinfectant for hard surfaces, especially high-touch areas, to eliminate germs and viruses. For odours, there is the Blast to remove lingering smells and freshen up the RV.

For the exterior, which are essential for removing stubborn black streaks. For protection, This provides a tighter web of protection, adds gloss and slickness, makes the RV easier to clean during maintenance washes, protects against UV rays, and offers awesome water beading and sheeting.

Stay tuned because, towards the end, we are going to talk about this wonderful kit they offer. It comes in a trunk organizer that you can expand depending on how much space you need. The kit includes a few products and a microfiber towel, making it ideal for quick cleaning during your journeys. Whether it is bird droppings, tree sap, dirt, dust, or light stains inside or outside the RV, this kit has you covered. We will discuss it in more detail later. I know you guys are excited, so let us get started!

It is a classic on RVs, right? Moreover, these gaskets here are going to be brightening up and cleaning up, so we are going to show you how to do all of that.

Let’s start by pre-rinsing the wheel first. Then we’re going to take the wheel and tyre cleaner and shake your chemicals well before use. We are going to spray this on the surface of the tyre and the wheel. We can immediately tell it is pulling all that dirt and browning from the tyres. So, this is a quick-acting solution. Look at all that dirt and gunk, lots of accumulated brake dust, road grime, dirt, mud, and who knows what else. This RV has 200,000 kilometres or roughly 125,000 miles.

So we are going to take a stiff bristle brush and brush the tyres. As we can tell, look at all that brown gunk that’s coming off. There is nice foaming from the product; they are feather-tipped, so gentle on any wheel finish. This is going to help brighten up the chrome and metal work, and it is safe for all OEM wheel finishes. And now we’re going to rinse.

A quick pro tip to verify that we cleaned the tyres properly is to re-spray a small quantity of the chemical. If you see just some white foam, then you know you properly cleaned the tyre. So, in just one pass, we were able to do the job, and the tyres and wheels are now fully cleaned.

All right, so to address the tar spots now, we are going to use the bug and tar remover. You basically shake well before use. You’re going to spray the product generously on the affected surfaces. There’s some nice foaming action here. Spray some on the side as well. We’re going to let that dwell for about a minute, and then we’re going to agitate and rinse off.

We can already tell the tar deposits are melting away. It might not remove everything, especially if there are stone chips, but it should help to remove the majority of the tar and grime that’s there. So we’re going to start wiping now and see the results. Right away, we can tell those tar deposits are coming off easily, so this is effortless. You might have to re-spray if need be.

The rest here, whatever is left, are stone chips so that I can feel the dent. This is embedded in the paint now, but as far as the tar deposits go, that was very, very easy. So, let us continue here with more on the sides. There we go—those are coming off very, very easily. And here, too, look at this difference already.

We’re going to do another application, but you can tell. Look at all the stuff that’s melting off. You let the chemicals do the work. We’re not looking for a museum-type finish here but just a major improvement over what was already there. So look at this, everyone. Look at all this stuff that we removed, and this is one pass.

So, a second pass now—it’s been about a minute of dwelling—and there we go. It took care of all the tar deposits that were there, and you can see all that gunk. And now we’re going to be able to move on to washing the vehicle.

And there you have it, guys—effortless tar removal. So before we wash the vehicle with shampoo, we’re going to rinse it.

So, everyone, one quick note. Notice that on the hood, there is no water beading, and the water is very slow to sheet off because there is no protection right now. So check this out.

As we can tell, the water is very slow to sheet, and again, there is no water beading because there’s no protection on the paintwork. So we are going to see in the end why that is important because we are going to be protecting this bad boy, and you are going to see the difference in the water properties, so the sheeting and the beading towards the end.

All right, so now is going to be the time to wash the RV itself.

So we’re going to show two methods. The first one is by hand, using a wash mitt and, of course, a bucket. Inside the bucket, we’re going to use a grit guard. This keeps the dirt at the bottom of the bucket so that it doesn’t stay in your wash media. You’re going to put the grit guard in the bottom.

We have roughly three gallons of water, and for the shampoo, we will be using the Car Wash. The cool thing about this is that it is a 100-ounce bottle, super inexpensive, with high-sudsing action. There are three dilution ratios that you can use, and they’re listed on the bottle itself. For a moderate wash to remove dirt and grime, you use three ounces of shampoo per gallon of water. For the aggressive method, which helps to remove bug guts, mud, and road salt, you use six ounces of shampoo per gallon. Finally, for the extreme version, which removes brake dust and sap, you use nine ounces per gallon.

For the three gallons, we will be using the aggressive method—18 ounces of soap in total, which we have measured here. You pour that inside your bucket, and using your pressure washer or garden hose, you are going to suds it up. Now we have some nice foaming action.

We’ll use a microfiber wash mitt by hand, and then I’ll show you the alternative for higher speed and efficiency with a pressure washer and foam cannon.

All right, everyone, so quick pro tip: when you are washing by hand, work from top to bottom, just like you would on a vehicle, because the dirtiest parts are on the bottom. You want to avoid cross-contaminating your surface with the dirt from the upper parts. Try to work in straight lines as well. This shampoo can be used in direct sunlight, as you see here. Ideally, for vehicles, you always want to work in the shade on a cool surface. However, with RVs, it is likely going to be the case where you have to work outside. So, there are no issues. Just work section by section and then rinse before the soap has time to dry.

All right, everyone, now for the more efficient and quicker way to wash an RV, especially a 24-footer like this. We are going to be using a foam cannon and a brush—but not any brush, especially not those broom-style brushes with bristles. We are going to be using a microfiber head. It’s the same type of microfiber material that you have on a microfiber wash mitt, but this is on an aluminium pole that you can extend to whatever length you need. The head pivots which is a cool feature.

Also, we’re going to use the foam cannon. Inside, we use the shampoo undiluted, so you put it straight in your foam cannon. You connect it to your pressure washer, and that way, you’ll be able to foam the entire vehicle. Then, you use the microfiber attachment with the extension pole to brush and rinse. And it’s that easy.

For these rubber or silicone gaskets that are quite dirty, we are going to use the same shampoo with a little scrub ninja—a microfiber and scrubby pad. You are going to see just how simple it brightens up. There you go, just like magic, back to white again. Look at all that dirt easily coming off.

Before we proceed to the other steps, we’ll quickly towel-dry the vehicle using a microfiber drying towel.All right, everyone. So, here is a quick pro trick: We are going to address the stubborn black streaks that you often get on RVs. We can clearly see some here. I’m going to give you two alternative methods. Once again, they’re very easy. The first one is by hand,This is a polish, so it’s going to remove any swirls, scratches, imperfections or things like these stubborn black streaks. It also has synthetic wax polymers inside and a small quantity of ceramic technology (SIO2) for protection, gloss, shine, and water beading. Shake your product well. We are going to apply a few pea-sized drops—that is pretty much all you need—on a foam applicator pad, and then you gently start rubbing. Look at that—it is disappearing like magic, effortless.

You can address and add more as you go. Dab some on there—a light rub is all it takes—and look how it brightens up already. There’s none left! In a matter of seconds, you are removing those stubborn black streaks that we all hate. Thanks to this tutorial, it is just a breeze when you have the right products and the right techniques. Once you are done lightly polishing, take a clean and dry microfiber towel and buff it off. It leaves a slick finish, very smooth to the touch, and the streaks are gone.

Now, we are going to repeat this process on the other side, but we will use a small polisher. The second trick, if you have a machine polisher at home, is to use a dual-action polisher. Apply a few pea-sized drops of the polish onto a foam finishing or polishing pad. Dab it onto the paint and activate the polisher. Afterwards, take a clean and dry microfiber towel to buff off. This leaves a streak-free finish with a small quantity of gloss pop, depth, and slickness, and we are ready for the next step: paint protection.

Now that the vehicle is fully washed, we have addressed tar deposits, stubborn black streaks, light blemishes, and oxidation. Machine polishing was done as needed to enhance gloss and shine. Now is the time to protect the paintwork and the exterior of the RV. For this, we will use the Wax. This spray-on application provides months of protection, increased gloss, slickness, UV protection, and hydrophobic properties. It makes the vehicle easier to clean during maintenance washes.

Shake the product well before use. For the base layer of protection, spray it on a dry surface. The cool part about this product is that it is also a maintenance product. For maintenance, you can either spray on and rinse off while the car is wet or spray it on a damp surface and towel dry. Once you have applied the first layer, use one microfiber towel to spread it, then follow up with a second clean and dry towel to buff it to a high-gloss finish. If there is any streaking, take a damp microfiber towel with a bit of water and wipe it down. The result is super slick, glossy, and well-protected paint. We will demonstrate its hydrophobic effect by pressure rinsing and maintaining it in future washes.

For an optional step to elevate your vehicle’s finish, remove oxidation, water spots, or bird-dropping etching while increasing gloss and shine. with a machine polisher equipped with a polishing pad. Apply a few dots of product, spread it at a low speed, and then polish at higher speeds. The polish is low-dusting and works well even in direct sunlight. After polishing, take a clean and dry microfiber towel to buff off easily. The result is increased gloss, shine, and slickness.

Detailed Version

Before applying Wax for protection, you should ensure the paintwork is properly prepared. Once the surface is ready, Flex Wax can be used not only on paintwork but also on glass, plastic trim, and wheels—essentially all exterior surfaces except tyres. After applying the product, you’ll notice an impressive transformation in water behaviour, such as water beading and sheeting, which visually indicate that the paint is protected.

At the start, unprotected paint allows water to lay flat and sheet off slowly with no beading. After applying Flex Wax, the difference is striking: tight, round water beads form, and water sheets off quickly. This hydrophobic effect not only looks amazing but also makes maintenance washes much easier. The vehicle’s surface is now shielded from harmful UV rays, feels slick to the touch, and has a glossy, stunning finish. Moreover, the protection helps repel dirt, keeping the car cleaner for longer.

Maintenance Application

Flex Wax doubles as a maintenance product. After washing your vehicle and rinsing it off while the surface is still wet, shake the bottle, spray once or twice per panel, and immediately rinse off. In seconds, you have renewed the protection, ensuring continued water beading and sheeting. This product is compatible with existing waxes, sealants, or ceramic coatings, allowing you to layer it over any protection already on the surface or use it as a standalone product.

Alternatively, you can apply it to a wet surface and use a microfiber drying towel to spread and dry the product simultaneously. Both methods provide long-lasting results and make regular maintenance even simpler.

Headlight Restoration (Optional)

If your headlights have become cloudy or yellow due to oxidation, restore them  Headlight Lens Restore Kit. This kit includes polishing discs, a spray lubricant, a lens-clarifying compound, and protective wipes. Follow the process to remove oxidation, restore clarity, and apply a UV-resistant finish to prevent future fading.

Chrome Detailing (Optional)

For any chrome accents, use Wax . Shake the bottle, apply a small amount onto a towel or applicator, and rub in a back-and-forth or circular motion. Allow it to dry to a white haze before buffing off. This will remove embedded water spots and any residual dirt or gunk, leaving the chrome sparkling like new.

By following these steps, your vehicle will look professionally detailed, protected, and ready for easier maintenance washes in the future.

The Final Result

After completing these steps, your RV will:

  • Exhibit a showroom-like shine with hydrophobic surfaces.
  • It has a sanitized, odour-free interior that is perfect for hosting friends or family.
  • Be ready for your next adventure or to impress potential renters with a professionally maintained look.

So, after all the cleaning, disinfecting, and protecting, it is time to hit the road and enjoy the great outdoors in your beautifully detailed RV!