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9 Window Cleaning Tips To Make Your RV Shine Like New

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Keeping your RV looking good on the outside can be a challenge, especially if you spend a lot of time in sandy or dusty places. Still, it’s something that must be done. One of the best ways of keeping your rig looking shiny and attractive is by keeping your RV windows clean.

That said, cleaning RV windows can be a big pain in the neck, making it a chore that many campers put off as long as possible. If the time has come to clean your windows, you may be looking for tips and tricks to make the job as easy as possible while also getting the best results.

In this article, we will share all of our favorite RV window cleaning solutions so you can get your trailer or motorhome windows as shiny as possible with as little work as possible.

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RV windows
Use the right cleaner. Photo via Amazon
1. Find the right cleaning solution

The first step to clean RV windows is finding the right cleaning solution. The cleaner you use can make all the difference in the world in terms of how difficult the job is, as well as the end results.

The cleaner we recommend the most is Windex Outdoors, which attaches to a garden hose or with an extendable squeegee with wipes.

Our second favorite option is Invisible Glass Cleaner. This comes in a traditional spray bottle but works well for removing spots and never leaves streaks. This cleaner can be used inside and outside of the RV.

2. Consider the height

While RVs aren’t as tall as most houses, they do still have some height to them, and many big Class A coaches have windows that reach fairly high up. For this reason, you will want to be prepared with the right tools to reach far and high.

Use an extending pole with a brush. Photo by iRV2 Forums member UncleJamie

A ladder is a good place to start. An extendable, long-handled squeegee can also be helpful in getting all those hard-to-reach spots.

3. Choose the right time

With all of your tools and cleaning solutions gathered, the next step is deciding when to get to work. You might think a bright sunny day would be the perfect RV window cleaning opportunity. However, this isn’t actually true.

You see, bright sunshine can cause window cleaning solutions to evaporate quickly, meaning you won’t have a chance to wipe the windows properly, thus leaving you with streaks.

On the other hand, you also don’t want to be cleaning windows in super cold weather. This is because a warm cleaning solution sprayed onto a cold window can actually cause the window to crack.

4. Rinse your RV windows

No matter what tools and cleaning solutions you go with, and no matter what time of year you decide to do your cleaning, a good old-fashioned rinse with the garden hose is a great way to begin. This will wash off the majority of the dirt on the outsides of your windows and loosen up any tough spots.

Start your RV window cleaning with a rinse. Photo via iRV2 member Josstoop

Rinsing is a simple step that can make the rest of the task a whole lot easier. However, it is important to note that opting to rinse your windows could result in streaks down the sides of your rig, giving you even more reason to wash the whole rig each time you clean the windows.

5. Try cleansing pads

During the cleaning process, you will almost certainly come across spots that won’t wipe away easily. When you find these bits of mud, sap, or other stubborn spots that just won’t clean off your windows, you might want to turn to Scotch Brite Cleansing Pads.

While these are abrasive and should be used with care, the slightly rough material can make getting rid of extra stubborn spots a bit easier.

6. Finish with Rain-X

A great way to make your job easier next time—and the perfect solution if you find rain-splattered windows bothersome—Rain-X should be the last step in your window cleaning process. This is especially true for motorhome owners who want to keep rain and spots off their windshield in order to see as clearly as possible.

Airstream window with dew. Photo by Scott Hill (Flickr Creative Commons)

Rain-X is super simple to use and fairly affordable. Considering how helpful it is when it comes to keeping windows shiny and clean, we’d say it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.

7. Clean inside and out

So far, we’ve been mostly focused on the outsides of your windows, and many people seem to believe the outside is the side that matters most. This makes sense. After all, the outsides of your windows likely do gather a bit more grime than the insides.

That said, it’s likely that the interiors of your RV windows are also pretty dirty. Take the time to do a bit of indoor window cleaning after the outsides have been completed for a more thorough job.

8. Pull off the screens

Once you do head inside, you’ll want to start your interior work by pulling the screens out of the windows. Luckily, this is really easy to do, and it’ll allow you to get all the grime that tends to collect in the window frame. Once you’ve finished cleaning, the screen should pop right back into place without an issue.

9. Cleaning pop-up windows

It should be noted that all of the tips listed so far are specifically for hard-sided campers. If you own a pop-up camper, however, your window cleaning process will likely be a little different.

Cleaning Pop Up Windows
Window cleaning your pop-up camper will be a little different. Image source: Pixabay

First, you will want to choose a cleaning solution. While some campers do use traditional window cleaning products such as Windex, we recommend using a product called Protect All. This product is specifically made for cleaning and protecting vinyl and other similar surfaces, and works well on both the vinyl windows and the exterior vinyl found on pop-up campers.

Begin by rinsing your windows with a hose. Next, simply apply the product with a clean, white cloth, let it sit for a few minutes, and then buff the windows dry using a second clean white cloth. Sometimes you’ll have to go over everything a second time, but the end results are worthwhile.

We don’t recommend using Scotch Brite Cleansing Pads on soft vinyl windows. You will probably want to skip the Rain-X on your pop-up camper as well.

Read more RV window cleaning tips here