A clean RV is one that looks good on the road and at the campsite, and is comfortable to live in. Keeping sand, dirt, mold, stains, and bugs at bay is a normal part of RV ownership. As the saying goes, a clean RV is a healthy RV. Here are four cleaning or cleanliness issues other RVs have encountered, and what you can do if you find yourself in the same situation.

What do you do when: You find mold on your stored clothing…

First of all, never leave “camping” clothes in your RV for storage if you’re a part-time RVer. Make sure you unload items and clean them after each season or trip. Full-time RVers may find a need to have storage bins for seasonal clothing, as long as there is space to store them. However, many full-timers just use what’s in the closet, which brings us to the first recommendation: Don’t store clothes in the first place. Reduce your clothing load. Mold is generated when moisture gets trapped in airtight containers, and your clothes may be carrying mold spores when you place them into storage. It’s the perfect storm. If you need to store some clothes, then use vacuum sealed bags to protect your clothing as well as conserve space. You may also want to consider adding a desiccant to your container to help absorb moisture. Also, make sure to air out clothing regularly.

What do you do when: You notice spots on your fabric walls…

Spots can appear on fabric walls over time, making the interior of the RV look dingy and old. Freshen it up by using a fabric/upholstery cleaner. Spray it on the walls and blot with a towel. You may need to do this several times. If you find that spot cleaning just leads to more spots, then do the entire wall to ensure consistency. It’ll look as good as new.

What do you do when: You find stink bugs in the RV…

These invasive little creatures are not much to look at – and definitely not great to smell. Michigan is full of them, and they can get everywhere and anywhere: kitchen drawers, in the curtains, in storage compartments. If you acquire enough of them, they can block burner tubes, potentially starting a fire in the water heater compartment. Some RVers have found them in the check valve of the black water tank flushers. Basically, any dark crevice is a home to them. So the best thing to do is make sure every nook and cranny is sealed tightly. Look for gaps in siding or window weather stripping, and chalk or somehow seal any spaces. There are lots of trap ideas, which can be found on the internet, and some RVers have had success with bug bombs and other insecticides sprayed in and around the RV. Other people have found that rubbing screens with strongly scented dryer sheets can help reduce stink bugs from entering. In short, they are terrible to get rid of, so the best thing is to never let them invade in the first place.

What do you do when: The windshield needs a clean…

The exterior of our RV’s windshields can get dirty, fast. For motorhomes with high windshields, use an extendable scrub brush or mop or squeegee pad and soapy water. You can use an A-frame ladder if you want to get a closer clean so that you don’t rest against the side of the RV. You can also stop at outdoor washes, such as a truck stop, and spray down the windshield. A clean microfiber cloth or soft wash mitt work well for smaller motorized RVs. For polish, use steel wool. Finish it off with some RainX. It’ll look like new. Clean the windshield regularly to avoid from having to really work off splotches, and don’t forget about the inside of the windshield, too. You won’t believe how much brighter the interior of your RV will be.

Always check with the manufacturer’s directions regarding materials and what can and cannot be used in terms of cleaning products. Some can damage an RV.