In this article, we’ll break down what you need to wash your RV, how to do it, and where to take your RV if you don’t want to clean it yourself.
Scrubbing down your RV is a lot like washing your car. Pick a cool part of the day, park in a shady area, gather your supplies, and prepare to get a little wet!
First and foremost, make sure you’re washing your RV where it’s permitted. Many campgrounds do not allow you to use their water to wash your RV.
Park near a water spigot: It’ll take more than just a few buckets of water to wash your RV. Make sure you’re near a water source.
Get in the shade: Not only will parking in the shade keep you cool while you work, but it’ll also prevent soap spots due to evaporation.
Find even, solid ground: You’ll probably be up on a ladder to reach the roof and upper portion of your RV. Make sure the ground around it can support your weight on a ladder without sinking into the mud.
Note: If you’re using a pressure washer, be sure to use extra caution. Keep a safe distance away and be careful when spraying around gaskets, seals, and decals. Strong water pressure can loosen these. When in doubt, just use a hose and sponge or soft bristle brush.
Before you get started, make sure all of your doors, vents, and windows are closed. You don’t want to accidentally soak your interior! Next, follow these steps.
Once everything is secured, begin by rinsing away any loose dirt from the rig. Start at the top and work your way down.
After that, you can suds up your mitt or brush and get to scrubbing. Again, it’s always best to start at the top and work your way down. If you start at the bottom, dirty runoff will drip all over what you just cleaned.
As you scrub, be sure to rinse your mitt and/or brush often. Otherwise, you risk damaging your finish by scrubbing your RV with grit. You’ll also want to change your bucket water often to prevent this.
You’ll need to take special care when washing your awning since it’s made from a different material than the rest of your RV. To combat mold, mildew, and dirt build-up, be sure to give it a good scrub with the right soap. For vinyl awnings, avoid anything with bleach. For acrylic awnings, you may need to mix a small amount of bleach with your soap to remove stubborn stains.
Similarly, your RV roof might need extra care. If you have a rubber roof atop your motorcoach, use a specialized rubber roof cleaner. Cleaning your RV roof is a great time to inspect it for any damage, broken seals, or areas of concern. This simple inspection can prevent costly leaks before they happen and ensure the roof over your head is healthy for years to come.
If you don’t have the time or resources to give your RV a good sudsy wash at home or at the campsite, you can look to find an RV car wash near you.
Start by checking a truck wash directory like the one linked here. Oftentimes, truck washes also offer RV services. This is true for the nationwide chain Blue Beacon Truck Wash, which offers services specific to RVs.
If you can’t find one listed in a directory, you can go about finding an RV wash several other ways:
Ask other RVers or your local RV dealership: Know other RVers? Ask them where they wash their RV at. If you don’t have any fellow RV friends in the area, contact your local dealer and ask where the best place to go is.
Ask the host or front office at the campground you’re staying at: If you aren’t familiar with the area, ask the campground manager or host. It’s probably a question they get often and should have answers to.
Look online: The internet can be your best friend for looking up all things local, no matter where you are! Simply go to your browser and type in what you’re looking for like “RV detailing near me” or “RV interior cleaning service near me”. You can browse the search results to find a location that offers the services you need.
RV washing service near meIf you don’t want to go out to an RV wash, get it to come to you! Using the same methods that we mentioned above, you can find a mobile RV cleaning service. Keep in mind that a mobile cleaner may have to use the water wherever you’re parked— so if washes aren’t allowed at your campsite, don’t call them out there!
It may not be the most fun activity, but cleaning your RV keeps it ready for any adventure that may come your way. It gives you the opportunity to inspect your RV and ensures that it’s ready to roll when you are. Plus, there’s nothing like that squeaky clean feeling! Don’t want to keep your spotless RV all to yourself? Share the joy of RVing with others by listing it on Outdoorsy.
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure and pain of helping restore and maintain many of these beautiful beasts. I’ve compiled some great RV cleaning and detailing tips in this guide to help you as well!
The first thing you’ve probably discovered about your RV, Motor Coach, Motorhome, or Toy Hauler is that they have a variety of different materials on their exterior. These materials include glass, plastic, fiberglass, gel coated fiberglass, painted and clear coated fiberglass and sheet metal, polished aluminum and stainless, and even rubber!
Each of these materials requires a special touch to restore them and provide lasting beauty and protection.
Mornings and evenings are your friend. In order to avoid water spotting you need to do your washing at a time that the sun isn’t beating down on you. Extremely few people are fortunate enough to have covered storage for their RV or camper with room to wash.
Wash and dry one side of your RV at a time. This means if you’re washing the roof you are going to wash and dry it before moving to the sides, front, or back. This will reduce water spotting from your soap and rinse water drying too fast in the heat/sun.
Wash and dry one side of your RV at a time. This means if you’re washing the roof you are going to wash and dry it before moving to the sides, front, or back. This will reduce water spotting from your soap and rinse water drying too fast in the heat/sun.
Begin with the roof. You don’t want to clean and dry the sides of your RV and have your roof water and dirt running down it. It also allows you to tackle the most exposed part of your RV before the morning light gives way to the hot afternoon sun.
Pick up some tools to expedite the washing process. These land yachts are no easy task. Work smarter, not harder. I recommend at minimum you pick up:
A quality pole mountable brush head such as a Mr. LongArm Very Soft Flow-Thru Brush
This particular brush head has extra soft synthetic fibers that won’t scratch the delicate finishes on an rv such as clear coat, gel coat, and high polished aluminum. It also has a rubber bumper around the head that helps prevent any damage to your RV’s finish should you accidentally bump it.
This device allows you to squeegee off most of the water from your RV saving time and reducing the chance of water spots. The least amount of time you have to spend soaking up water with a towel the better [you will feel]!
Don’t worry about scratching your pride and joy. The material of this water blade will not harm any finishes as long as they are washed and rinsed beforehand.
A quality microfiber chenille wash mitt for the wheels such as these from The Rag Company
These wash mitts are made of quality chenille microfiber and won’t scratch the highly polished finish of your wheels. The Rag Company is a proven brand and their product are outstanding, especially for the price.
A quality and highly absorbent drying towel such as The Rag Company Platinum Pluffle
Roof Cleaning: It’s worth deciding at the beginning whether you will include roof cleaning in your packages. You can expect to charge an additional $1 to $3 per foot to power wash the roof. Then you can offer specialist add-ons depending on the type of roof, such as rubber conditioner and UV protectant for rubber roofs.
Level of Oxidation and/or Sun Damage: One common variable you’ll want to consider is the level of oxidation and sun damage on the RV’s exterior. If it’s heavily oxidized and sun-faded, then it will need to be buffed with a specialist compound to remove rust and restore shine.
Bugs and Tar Removal: Depending on the RV’s condition, you might add $2 to $5 per foot to include bug and tar removal.
Level of Cleanliness: There is also the far more complex task of pricing the RV detailing prices for the interior. The condition and cleanliness of the RV’s interior is going to vary greatly depending on a number of factors. If it’s not been cleaned for a while, your RV detailing prices will be higher than if it’s regularly maintained.
By taking time to create flexible price packages and thinking about your add-ons, you can then ensure you’re making the most out of every job. Price packages can cover the more common requirements at a price per foot and then you can offer add-ons to deal with the more complex variables.
In addition to the size and condition of the RV, the other big variable to consider is your time. That’s because, like any detailing job that involves work by hand, your RV detailing prices should factor the value of your time.
For RV interiors, there’s so much variability that it’s going to be difficult to set a standard rate per foot. That’s why charging an hourly rate for your time might be your best bet when it comes to getting to the right price.
You should think about what you want your hourly rate to be—and then stick to it. You’ll want to factor in your location, competition, and level of experience when coming up with your hourly rate. But once you have it, it can be a great tool for pricing the RV detailing variables (like interiors) and add-ons.
The biggest challenge with variable-based pricing is maintaining consistency. When it comes to RV detailing prices, there are so many variables to consider. Even if you used the above methods, you could quickly lose track and end up charging the wrong amount. Technology can help. By using an estimating app like Mobile Tech RX you can ensure accurate and consistent estimates every time.
Using an estimating app not only looks more professional, it makes pricing even the most complex of jobs simple. With Mobile Tech RX, your first step is to choose which RV detailing price package will be appropriate for the job. These packages are created by you, so can be customized for the type of work you do. They are then programmed into the app and ready for when you’re estimating the job.
You’ll then enter your hourly rate to account for the variables, such as the RV’s interior, that need to factor your time. You can then work through the app with your customer choosing any add-ons and pricing the job on the spot. You can choose to charge your additional service variables by the foot, by the hour, or at a flat rate.
So roof cleaning might be by the foot, interior cleaning could be charged by the hour, and slide-outs on a fifth wheel could be a flat rate of $25 to $50 per slide-out.
By setting these parameters at the beginning, you’re not trying to calculate complex variables under pressure. Using an app like Mobile Tech RX helps you to validate your RV detailing prices. By providing legitimacy to your quotes and estimates using technology, you can cut out negotiations with your customer. And that means you save your valuable time and get the highest price for every job.
The Mobile Tech RX detailing app can help you build packages and price additional services and add-ons to keep your hourly labor rate high. Showing your customer a detailed, line-by-line quote of your services on your phone or tablet comes across as professional. You’ll see your customers coming back again and again.
Who doesn’t love the clean and fresh feeling of a newly washed RV? The good news is that washing your RV doesn’t have to be difficult.
The following is my guide to finding a place to get your RV washed, both self-serve and professional services. I also include some quick tips at the end for those washing your RV yourself.
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The first one is obvious: wash your RV at your own home! If you have the room and a good spot to wash your RV, then you can treat it sort of like washing your car. Hook up your garden hose, grab a bucket and RV wash, a good RV brush, and get to scrubbing!
Another great spot to wash your RV is a local do-it-yourself car wash location. Many self-serve car wash locales have large stalls that accommodate your RV. Just make sure that the stall has clearance for the height of your RV.
Phoenix mobile RV washing serviceYou can search “self serve car wash station” on your GPS or Google. A lot of times they’ll note if they accommodate RVs or have pictures where you can see for yourself.
Another great place to wash your RV is at a truck stop. These locations usually have facilities designed to wash big rigs, which can easily accommodate your RV.
Best of all, they’re usually located right off the interstate or main roadways. Plus, they’re easy to search for on GPS. If they don’t specify whether or not they have a wash, you can give them a quick call to ask.
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Do you want to pay someone to wash your RV for you? I sure don’t blame you. Washing an RV or even a camper van can be quite the chore. Even if you normally wash it yourself, it’s nice to have it professionally done once in a while.
Quite a few RV repair shops and dealers have on-site RV washing stations. Some offer washing services to the public, including detailing options.
But, even if they don’t wash RVs on-site, they are one of the best resources to find a washing location nearby. A quick call to a local RV mechanic or dealer can save you a lot of searching online.
But, even if they don’t wash RVs on-site, they are one of the best resources to find a washing location nearby. A quick call to a local RV mechanic or dealer can save you a lot of searching online.
You know how there are mobile pet groomers that come to you? Well, guess what! There’s a version of that for RV grooming… I mean washing.
They are most commonly known as “Mobile RV Wash & Wax” or “Mobile RV Detailing” so I recommend searching for those terms specifically.
Just be aware of campground regulations if you’re hoping they’ll come there. Some campgrounds allow it, while others do not. This actually brings me to my next suggestion…
Just like dealers are a good resource, so are campgrounds. They’ll likely be able to direct you to both self-serve and professional washing locations.
Better yet, many campgrounds have a go-to mobile RV washer and detailer. Oftentimes, you’ll get the best deal going with their guy than anyone else.
Pro Tip: Before calling a mobile RV wash service, ask nearby RVers if they want a wash, too. You might be able to get a group discount.
Are you interested in washing your own RV, but do not know where to start? Whether you want to save the money or were unable to find a place that will wash it for you, don’t worry. You can easily wash it yourself!
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RV roofs are tricky. Some you can walk on, some you can’t. So before ever stepping foot onto your roof, check first with your dealer or manual.
