How do you clean the inside of a tent trailer?

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: How do you clean the inside of a tent trailer? We will explain how to maintain and keep clean both the inside and the outside of the tent trailer. 

How do you clean the inside of a tent trailer?

It is easy to clean the inside of a tent trailer and you can do it at home with simple tools such as a scrub brush and a mix of water and vinegar. Here are the detailed steps on how you can quickly clean the inside of a tent trailer:

1. Step one is perhaps the most important. You should thoroughly sweep the inside of the tent trailer and remove dust from the entire interior, even the smallest corners in case there are any insects (use a vacuum cleaner and a small brush if you see it necessary). 

2. Fill a bucket with a mix of two parts room temperature water and one part vinegar, then get a sponge and a soft brush. Both on the outside of the tent trailer and on the inside, we will gently rub the entire canvas, the awnings, mosquito nets, etc .; with vertical and horizontal movements for greater efficiency. 

Remember that the water, the sponge and the brush should always be very clean so that there is no transfer of dirt, and it is advisable to start with the interior canvases and mosquito nets and finish with the bottom and the floor of the tent trailer. Use very mild cleaning products only when strictly necessary (stubborn stains, organic residues, mould from moisture, etc.). And don’t forget about the corners!

3. After cleaning the inside of the tent trailer, it is very important that you let it air out well (perhaps in all this you have had to reassemble it). It should be completely dry “to the seams” (thick microfiber cloths tend to come in handy), if there is moisture inside or a little accumulated water you may find yourself in a surprise when you open it on your next getaway!

How to clean soft vinyl windows on a tent trailer?

Soft vinyl windows are strong, flexible and impact resistant. Therefore, you will find these windows in most pop-up campers, boats and conversion vehicles. Although strong, soft vinyl is prone to scratches. 

Cleaning with the right, non-abrasive products and doing it regularly helps keep abrasive dirt or sand from scratching or scuffing the vinyl. Cleaning does not usually take very long and can keep your windows in good condition.

Here’s how to clean soft vinyl windows:

1. Rinse off the windows with a gentle stream of water from a garden hose. Mix a tablespoon of a mild detergent such as dishwasher detergent with water in a five-gallon bucket. 

2. Use a microfiber cloth in the bucket and wipe on the windows. If the windows are heavily soiled, be sure to rinse the laundry often so you aren’t sliding scratchy sand or dirt on the vinyl.

3. Rinse the windows with your garden hose. Wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth.

4. Use a vinyl window polish or mist remover if, after cleaning, your windows are still fuzzy. Many of these simply spray on – just spray the product on the windows and wipe it off with a clean microfiber cloth.

How to keep your tent trailer interior as clean as possible

It is so important to know how to keep your tent trailer in good condition and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that you can use it whenever you want. Here are our top tips on how to maintain both the interior and the exterior of your tent trailer as clean as possible:

1. Maintaining the tent trailer during use. Keep in mind these basic tips to care for and keep your tent in good condition for the duration of the camping:

• When choosing its location, make sure that it is not in full sun if in the area you can set it in a place where it is protected by the shade. Avoid placing it on the wet ground whenever possible. Also, avoid setting it on a stony area with pointed elements that can pierce or tear the base of the tent. And whenever possible, try not to set the tent under pine trees to avoid the resin staining it.

• Never use stones to reinforce the hold as they could damage the fabric and do not cook inside the closed tent.

• In the face of the threat of a storm and/or strong winds, anchor the tent trailer well to the ground. Choose appropriate points to drive the pegs without bending and in such a way that they perform their function properly.

2. Maintaining the tent trailer after use. Before leaving the campsite or the mountains, when you collect it for storage, it is convenient that you remove all the sand, earth or needles from the pine trees, shaking it well if necessary. And be careful not to keep it wrinkled. Once back home, it’s time to get down to work and clean it thoroughly before putting it away until the next getaway.

• To clean it, you don’t need to complicate your life, but you do have to make some effort. It is important to avoid abrasive products and use mild soap and water. 

Start by sweeping the interior with a suitable hand brush, if you did not do it on the spot. It should be free of dust and dirt. Then you have to wash it well with soap inside and out, rinsing it with cold water and, if you think necessary, with the help of a damp cloth or a soft sponge. 

If you have a place outdoors for cleaning, rinsing it with a hose will be much more comfortable, fast and effective. And if not, an extendable shower type telephone can make the task easier.

• Don’t forget to wash the cover as well, as it wouldn’t make sense to store the clean tent trailer in a dirty cover.

3. Beware of stubborn stains. Trying to remove a stain at all costs and at any cost can cause the fabric to break. So it is important that you find the balance between trying to clean the tent well and knowing when to leave a stain as impossible. For the latter, the idea is to cover them with talcum powder so that they do not spread to other areas of the store.

There are apparently persistent stains that you can easily remove knowing what has caused them because, depending on their origin, each stain requires a specific solution. 

For example, if you have been camping in a pine forest area and the resin has left a stain on the fabric, the first thing you should do is wait for it to dry completely and then place an ice cube on the inside of the fabric, just under the area of ​​the stain. This will make the resin break and gently scratching it will peel off without damaging the tent.

4. Store the tent trailer only when it is completely dry. Don’t be in a hurry and store the tent trailer wet, or you will find it mouldy on your next camping trip. You should let it dry completely and you should dry the zippers yourself with a soft dry cloth.

5.  Store the tent trailer carefully. Before storing the already dried tent trailer, it is advisable to go over its surface to check that there are no holes in the canvas. If you, unfortunately, find one, cover it with a strong adhesive tape such as duct tape, for example, which prevents the hole from getting bigger and allows the tent trailer to remain waterproof. Or with a suitable patch.

Store it in a cool and dry area, without danger of dampness, to prevent it from staining with mould or acquiring bad odours. Try not to put a lot of weight on it and, above all, do not place sharp elements on it that could puncture or tear it.

The bottom line

Now that you know how to clean the inside of a tent trailer, it is important to do it as often as possible. And do not forget to regularly clean and inspect the trailer’s roof, as they are often prone to leaks! Check our other articles on how to clean the exterior (including the canvas) and the roof of a tent trailer. 

Please feel free to get in contact if you have any questions or comments on the content. 

FAQ on How do you clean the inside of a tent trailer?

How do you repair a canvas on a tent trailer?

It is possible to repair canvas on a tent trailer, as long as the damage is not too big to interrupt your trip.  With the right materials and a little guidance, the canvas can be detached and holes can be patched and grommets replaced. The fixed canvas can be placed back on the tent trailer.

How do you clean a pop-up camper roof?

To understand how to clean a pop-up camper roof, you have to know how to recognize the types of stains on the camper roof. The pop-up camper exterior is subjected to climatic conditions, to the sun, to rain, to temperature variations, to pollution… It is especially subjected to leaks throughout its life. Your pop-up camper roof can also stain over time.

How do you get mould off a pop-up camper vinyl?

To get mould off a pop-up camper vinyl, you can use one part vinegar mixed with two parts water. After cleaning the vinyl, make sure you dry it well. Also, check your camper canvas for holes, tears and water leaks. 

How to remove the musty smell in a camper?

To remove the musty smell in a camper, use a saucer filled with lemon juice and baking soda. Regularly refresh the air in your camper and clean it as often as possible. 

References

• How to Deep CLEAN Your Pop Up Camper Canvas & Vinyl (Inside …
• How to clean mold in a tent trailer ( pop up camper ) – YouTube
• How To Clean Your Pop-Up Camper – Lone Star RV