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Clean Your RV On A Budget: Natural DIY Cleaning Solutions

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

cleaning a sink, image for RV cleaning supplies

Chemical-Free RV Cleaning Solutions

Switching to natural DIY RV cleaning supplies can cut out harmful chemicals and save you some money. There are many different products for the various cleaning jobs, and we’ve got alternatives for them all.

RVs have many different surfaces, and they all get dirty at some point. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the choices in the cleaning supply aisle at the grocery store. There are endless products, all advertised to do different things, and all of them claim to be the best.

You’ll find floor cleaners, toilet cleaners, glass cleaners, multipurpose cleaners, and the list goes on. There is a different product for every surface in your RV, and under your sink can quickly become crowded with various spray bottles.

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Nobody wants to spend their camping time cleaning. However, we do need to keep things fresh, and for many, their RV is their home. So, what products do you actually need, and can you make them yourself?

We will look at some greener DIY RV cleaning options that can be made easily and work great!

A natural RV window cleaner

RVs are full of large windows, and nothing beats a great view from your RV. Between dusty campgrounds, dirty hands, and pet noses, your RV windows can quickly become covered with streaks.

Clean, streak-free glass makes your entire RV feel cleaner and provides you with the clear, unobstructed views you desire. Traditional glass cleaners utilize ammonia, which has a strong and distinct odor. With all the windows in a small space, this scent can quickly fill up your RV.

For crystal-clear glass, a solution of water and white vinegar can easily replace harsh glass cleaners. These two simple ingredients on their own will do the trick. However, there is a way to increase the cleaning power and give it a fresh scent.

Adding some dishwashing soap to the mixture adds to the grease and grime fighting power and helps with streaks. Rubbing alcohol will help the mixture dry quickly and help prevent streaking in place of dish soap. Vinegar has a strong smell that many people don’t enjoy, so it can be countered with your favorite essential oil.

Mixture

  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing detergent (substitute 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol if you prefer)
  • 10 drops of essential oil

A powerful RV bathroom cleaner

The bathroom is usually the least favorite room to clean in an RV. Soap scum, shower curtains, and toilets can be tough to clean and keep fresh. Bathroom surfaces need extra cleaning power, and that’s why the list of bathroom cleaning products is so long.

Removing tough soap scum and deodorizing can be done without harsh cleaning products, thanks to a common household and RV product. Baking soda is the key ingredient in this bathroom and RV cleaning mixture, and odds are you already have a box in your RV fridge!

Baking soda and warm water form a slightly coarse solution to help scrub your bathroom surfaces. White vinegar can also be added for the grease-cutting acidity if you choose. The baking soda helps with odors, as it does in your fridge, but adding scented oils will give your bathroom an extra fresh scent.

Castile soap is a natural soap that’s easy on you and the environment but tough on grease and grime. It can be used in this mixture to help with all surfaces in the bathroom.

Mixture

  • 1 1/2 cups baking soda
  • 1/2 cup castile soap
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 10 drops of your favorite scented oil

Multi-surface cleaning solution

Having an RV cleaning product that you can quickly run across all surfaces is essential. General cleaning will involve floors and countertops, as well as wiping handprints from doors and walls. Multipurpose cleaners are some of the best sellers on the market for good reason.

A common ingredient in these DIY cleaning products is vinegar, simply because it’s safe and it works. The acidity helps cut grease, and although vinegar doesn’t kill bacteria, it does help lift it from surfaces.

Mixing water with vinegar and adding some lemon juice makes for a strong cleaning solution. The lemon juice or lemon zest adds more acidic cleaning power and a fresh scent.

Mixture

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 a squeezed lemon

Track your RV maintenance

With the three DIY RV cleaning solutions above, you can tackle all the cleaning in your RV without a basket full of products.

Mixing up these cleaners and bottling them in colored spray bottles makes it quick and easy to grab the one you need and get the job done. Unlike store-bought products, your DIY cleaners won’t have labels, so it’s not a bad idea to label them as well.

By making your own RV cleaning products, you’re creating a safer living environment for your family and pets. The basic ingredients required to mix up these cleaners are cheap and usually things you already have on hand. Keeping your RV clean shouldn’t be a huge process. After all, RVing is about enjoying nature and living a simple life.

Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance and repairs with an online tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all of your documents in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due to help you avoid costly repairs and potentially serious accidents. 

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