Refreshing Fabrics, Floors, and Surfaces in Your RV

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One of the best things about RVs is that they can go anywhere. That said, when you take your RV to certain places, you’re going to end up with some messes in your rig. You’re also likely to put some wear and tear on the RV over time. The good news? It’s easy enough to refresh the fabrics, floors, and surfaces of your rig!

In this article, I will share my secrets for keeping your RV in tip-top shape even as you adventure in it full time.

Fabrics (Upholstery, Curtains, Bedding)

Let’s start with fabrics. Generally these are the things I most dread cleaning, and therefore the things I try hardest to keep spot-free. Still, if something does end up on a cushion or a curtain, there are ways to take care of the problem.

Vacuum & Spot Clean

The first plan of attack? A good vacuum and spot clean. Often, this is enough to handle the problem. Use a handheld vacuum to remove dust and debris, and then spot clean stains with a fabric-safe cleaner (or a DIY mix of water, vinegar, and a drop of dish soap).

If you’re dealing with removable covers, simply launder according to label instructions. I prefer to put removable covers on all of my RV furniture because this method of cleaning is just so much easier.

Deodorize

Have a problem with the way your furniture smells? Sprinkle some baking soda on the cushions and let it sit for 15–30 minutes, then vacuum. After vacuuming up the baking soda, spray the cushions with a fabric refresher.

Note: You can also make your own fabric spray with water, a splash of rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of essential oil.

Deep Clean

Sometimes a deep clean is necessary, especially if you’ve acquired an older RV that you’re trying to revive. In these cases, I recommend renting an upholstery cleaner or steam cleaner and going over all of the furniture for a thorough clean. Make sure to run vent fans to both keep air moving after cleaning and give the furniture plenty of time to dry completely before you need to use it again.

Replace Fabrics

Let’s say you’ve tried all of the methods above and the stains and smells still aren’t coming out. In that case, it might be time to replace the fabric in question. Most RV furniture cushions can be recovered fairly easily, couches can be replaced, and curtains are very easy to swap out.

Floors (Vinyl, Laminate, Carpet)

Next up: floors. Our RV floors see a LOT of wear and tear. We are constantly walking over them and tracking all kinds of things all over them. This means a lot of cleaning has to happen to make sure they stay in good shape.

Sweep & Vacuum Thoroughly

Obviously, the first thing we do to ensure our floors are clean is sweep and vacuum. We actually end up sweeping multiple times a day, but every couple of days we make a point of doing a really thorough job. This involves moving movable furniture, shaking out entry mats, getting into corners, and cleaning under furniture and slide-outs.

Mop or Steam Clean

Sometimes sweeping and vacuuming isn’t enough. Once or twice a week, I like to mop our hard floors and sprinkle baking soda on the carpets before vacuuming to freshen them up.

You might also consider renting a steam cleaner for the carpets every few months. This will help remove stains and smells and keep everything looking and feeling fresh. Just be careful not to completely soak the floors, as this is liable to damage the subfloor of your RV.

Refresh Rugs

I like to put down rugs throughout the RV. This helps protect the RV flooring, and rugs are much easier to wash and replace than carpet or vinyl flooring. I try to wash the rugs every week or so, and when they start to look really worn out, I just find new ones to put down. It’s actually a really fun way to liven things up and keep the look of the RV new and interesting.

Replace Flooring

Eventually, RV flooring does become worn out to a point that replacement is necessary. When the time comes to replace your RV flooring, I highly recommend skipping the carpet and using a vinyl flooring option instead. Vinyl is so much easier to keep clean and it’s actually pretty easy to put down as well.

Hard Surfaces (Counters, Walls, Cabinets)

I’m always surprised by how dirty our RV walls and cabinet doors can get. I wipe our countertops regularly enough that they don’t tend to be a problem, but man, those walls and cabinets can really gather grime. Fortunately, this is easy enough to remedy.

Wipe Down with a Gentle Cleaner

Clearly, the first course of action should always be a good wipe-down. I like to mix water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle, spray everything down, and wipe away. Microfiber cloths are good to avoid scratching, especially if you’re cleaning a delicate surface. Sticky residue can be removed using Goo Gone.

Disinfect High-Touch Areas

In addition to wiping down dirty surfaces, it is also important to disinfect high-touch areas on a daily basis. Use disinfecting wipes or spray to clean door handles, light switches, and cabinet pulls. This will help keep your family healthy so you can all fully enjoy your travels.

Treat Wood or Laminate Cabinets

Cabinets and drawers can become dull over time. Fortunately, it is possible to revive the shine using a mix of diluted vinegar and olive oil to wipe them down. I’m always impressed by the results that this simple mixture and a quick wipe-down can have.

Paint or Wallpaper

If you have a much older RV, the walls and cabinets might be beyond reviving. Maybe they’re stained and worn out, or maybe they’re just outdated and ugly. Either way, a bit of paint or wallpaper can go a long way toward making these surfaces look fresh and fun again.

We have used both paint and peel-and-stick wallpaper on our RV walls. Painting is a lot more work but stays in place better. Meanwhile, the peel-and-stick wallpaper went up quickly and easily, and could be taken down and replaced whenever we felt like it to create new looks.

Bonus Refresh Tips

Looking for more advice for refreshing your RV and keeping it feeling clean, even while traveling through dirty wilderness areas? Here are some bonus tips.

Air it Out

Open all windows and doors on dry days to let fresh air circulate. We like to do this as often as possible, as we find that air tends to go stale quickly in our tiny living space. Fresh air helps make everything feel cleaner.

Use Dehumidifiers

Moisture is always a problem in RVs. Small moisture absorbers or an electric dehumidifier can fight musty odors and keep condensation from forming on the walls and windows. This is a must during the winter, as condensation can actually cause mold and water damage.

Add Fragrance

You can also improve the smell and feel of your RV by adding a light fragrance to the space. Use caution when doing this because a little goes a long way in a small space like an RV. I recommend using a diffuser or placing dryer sheets in hidden spots for a fresh scent.

There you have it, all of my top tips for keeping your RV looking and feeling as fresh as possible, even when your adventures get dirty. Put these tips to use and your home-on-wheels will be one of the freshest on the road!

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