RVs are bigger vehicles that are designed for people who like traveling in style.
They are usually large enough to accommodate several passengers as well as their belongings. These vehicles come with all sorts of amenities such as air conditioning, heating system, refrigerator, microwave ovens, etc.
The most important thing you need to know when it comes to washing your RV is where do I wash my RV?
There are many places where one could wash his or her RV but not every place would be suitable for doing so. You may ask why there are different places where you can wash an RV.
Well, these places serve various purposes. Some places are meant for washing cars while others are meant for washing boats. In addition, some places are meant for washing trucks while other places are meant for washing trailers.
Therefore, this article seeks to give everything you need to know about washing your RV.
WHERE CAN I WASH MY RV?
There are two main categories of places where you can wash your RV; commercial and noncommercial. It is advisable to choose a reputable company because they offer quality service.
However, if you cannot afford to pay them, then you can always go ahead and clean your RV by yourself. This way, you won’t spend much time and effort trying to get things done.
If you decide to hire a professional cleaner, make sure he/she has experience in handling RVs. Also, ensure that the person knows how to handle the vehicle properly without damaging anything inside.
Commercial Wash Services
The first category includes commercial washes. A commercial wash is a business establishment that offers its customers the opportunity to wash their vehicles.
Most of these businesses provide free estimates and quotes. Before hiring a particular company, check out what kind of facilities they have available.
If possible, visit the location and see whether the facility meets your needs. Make sure that the equipment used is safe and reliable.
Check out reviews online to determine whether the company provides good customer support.
Noncommercial Wash Services
The second type of place where you can wash your vehicle is a public park. Public parks are open spaces where anyone can access them. Many times, these areas include restrooms, showers, playgrounds, picnic tables, parking lots, and even swimming pools. When choosing a public area to wash your RV, consider the following factors:
Is the area accessible 24 hours a day?
Does the area have an adequate water supply?
Are there security cameras around the site?
Do you feel comfortable using the restroom facilities?
How close is the nearest gas station?
What is the cost of renting the space?
Will the area allow pets?
Can you bring food into the area?
Where does the trash disposal take place?
Do car wash also wash RVs?
Yes! Car wash companies specialize in washing automobiles. But, they also offer special packages for washing RVs. For example, they might offer a package that allows you to wash both your automobile and RV together. Or, they might offer a separate package just for washing your RV.
So, if you’re looking for a car wash that specializes in washing RVs, look no further than the ones mentioned above.
Can i wash RV at truck wash?
You certainly can! Truck washes are specifically set up to wash trucks. And, since RVs are considered trucks, you can easily wash yours at a truck wash. Just remember that you’ll probably pay more for washing your RV at a truck wash compared to a regular car wash.
What about the internal cleaning of the RV?
You can clean your RV’s interior yourself. All you really need is soap and warm water. Use a sponge or rag to wipe down surfaces.
Be careful not to scrub too hard as it may damage the finish. Afterward, rinse with hot soapy water.
Then dry thoroughly. Don’t forget to vacuum under seats and other nooks and crannies. You can also buy an air freshener spray to keep odors away.
Cost of washing
Three main factors determine what kind of cost you’d incur when washing your RV. The first factor is whether you choose to hire professionals or do it yourself. Hiring professional services usually comes with additional fees. For example, they charge per hour plus mileage charges. On top of that, there are taxes involved. This means hiring pros may not always be cheaper.
Another important consideration is where you intend to wash your RV. There’s no point in spending money on gas just so you can clean your RV at home.
Most RV dealerships offer free parking spaces right next to their facilities. As long as you bring along your RV, you won’t need to pay anything. Plus, you get access to showers, restrooms, and other amenities.
Finally, consider the type of vehicle you drive. Some vehicles require special care while others aren’t too difficult to handle. Make sure you’re familiar with the process before starting.
All things considered, it’s easy to calculate the price of washing your RV. One way is by calculating the total amount of money spent during the entire year. Another method is by estimating what it costs per month. If you decide to go with the first option, here are some things to keep in mind:
Detergent – Most detergents come in liquid form. Therefore, you’ll likely spend less money buying them in bulk rather than purchasing individual bottles.
Water – It doesn’t matter whether you buy bottled water or tap water. Both have similar prices.
Time – How long did it take you to wash your RV last time? Was it easy or difficult? Did you get stuck doing something? Were there any problems along the way? By taking note of these details, you’ll be better prepared next time.
Cleaning supplies – Do you already have everything you need? Are you going to purchase anything new? What kind of products do you prefer using? Will you be getting rid of old stuff?
Labor cost – Is labor included in the overall cost of washing your RV? If yes, how much does it add to the final bill?
Washing the RV yourself
It depends on which part of the RV you plan to wash. Some parts require only soap and water while others call for chemicals like bleach.
So if you’re looking forward to washing your RV, well, let me tell you how I did it when we were living full time in our motorhome. We had two bathrooms inside our RV. One bathroom was located near the front door and another one was located towards the back end of the RV.
The latter bathroom required some extra steps because it wasn’t connected directly to the sewer system. It took us several attempts to figure out how to connect the toilet tank to the sewage line. Once we figured it all out, we could flush the toilet without any problems.
However, after flushing the toilet, the smell lingered for quite a while. This made us wonder if we needed to do something else besides simply flushing the toilet.
Fortunately, we found a solution by purchasing a deodorizer. Now, whenever we flushed the toilet, the odor dissipated almost immediately.
In addition, we didn’t have to worry about having to empty the tanks every week. That meant less work for us. Another thing worth mentioning is that we never used chemical cleaners such as dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent. Instead, we relied solely on soap and water.
If you decide to go this route, make sure you don’t overuse soap. Otherwise, you risk damaging the surface of your RV. Also, be aware that many RV owners recommend against using harsh chemicals such as chlorine-based products. They claim these types of chemicals cause corrosion.
The best thing to do is to consult an expert. You could ask one of your friends who has washed his/her own RV before. They would be able to give you some tips. These experts know how to properly wash different types of RVs.
How often should I wash my RV?
It all depends on the condition of your RV. In general, most people recommend washing their RV every two weeks. However, if you live somewhere cold, then you might want to wait until spring when temperatures start rising again.
Also, make sure that you don’t overuse any specific spot. This means that you shouldn’t leave dirty towels or clothes lying around. Instead, throw those items away after each time you’ve cleaned them.
If you notice stains appearing more frequently than usual, then you’ll probably want to take action sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, washing your RV doesn’t need to be too complicated. All you really need are basic tools and supplies. The key here is to follow instructions carefully so that you won’t damage anything important. Remember that there’s no substitute for experience. Therefore, always seek advice from professionals first.
