On a trip you live in a motorhome for weeks, so a clean interior is about health as much as looks. Dust, mites, pet hair and mould build up quickly in a small space and are especially hard on allergy sufferers. After a season you can add sand in the drawer runners and squeaky cupboard hinges.
A deep clean is worth doing twice a year: before the first trip and before putting the camper into winter storage.
What you will need
Important: Before cleaning, turn off the gas bottle, disconnect the camper from mains hook-up and switch off the fridge. Do not apply WD-40 to food-contact surfaces, the hob or the floor.
Step 1
Prepare the camper
Take out everything you do not need. Remove cushion covers and curtains and take them to be washed. Check the foam fillings: if they show mould or are badly worn, replace them.
Empty the fridge, cupboards and washroom of items and accessories, as an empty space is much quicker to clean.
Step 2
Vacuum and dust
Vacuum every surface, including mattresses and cushions, then leave them in the sun for a few hours: UV and dry air suppress mites and odours. Use narrow nozzles in corners, under seats and inside lockers and drawers.
Dust the overhead cupboards with a dusting cloth, then wipe surfaces with a damp sponge and cleaning disinfectant.
Step 3
Fridge and hob
Take out the fridge shelves and drawers and wash them separately. Mix warm water and vinegar half and half and wipe all the inside surfaces thoroughly with a sponge: vinegar cuts grease and fights mould and bacteria. Lift stains with half a lemon and leave the fridge door open until completely dry.
Use the same solution to clean grease off the hob, leaving it clean and shiny without harsh chemicals.
Step 4
Lubricate drawer runners and hinges
Over time drawer runners and cupboard and door hinges collect dust and sand and start to squeak. Apply WD-40 Smart Straw through the thin straw to the runners and hinges and open and close them a few times: it dissolves the dirt and lubricates the mechanism. Wipe off the excess so it does not mark the contents.
Treat stiff latches, entry door locks and handles the same way.
Step 5
Window, door and rooflight seals
Wipe dust off the rubber seals of the entry door, windows, rooflight and service hatches and apply a thin coat of WD-40 Specialist Silicone. Silicone keeps rubber supple, helps the seal close tightly and stops it freezing in winter.
Wipe metal fittings in the washroom and by the sink that show corrosion or rust spots with a cloth and WD-40 Multi-Use: the film displaces moisture and holds back corrosion.
Step 6
Ventilate and control damp
After cleaning, air the camper for a few hours so everything dries. In storage, place moisture absorbers, especially in cupboards and under the bed, and open the motorhome to air it at least every few weeks.
Tip: Keep
WD-40 Smart Straw in the service locker: on the road it helps with a sticking door lock, a squeaky step, the corner steadies and the contacts of the hook-up socket.
What next
On the road a short daily tidy is enough; do the deep clean in spring and autumn. Before winter storage, combine it with treating the seals with silicone lubricant.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».