Rejoice, RVers — the time to dust off your rig is upon us! But before we can fuel up and jet off, we need to make sure everything is looking ship-shape, especially if you’ve been on the bench since last summer or spring.
As an avid RV owner, we’re sure you’ll agree with most other traveling enthusiasts that say that RV organization is an undebatable must. Organization and cleanliness are next to holiness (for great adventure’s sake, anyway), so allow us to take this time to help you get all of your stuff in order and give clutter the ol’ 1-2.
Take Inventory
What to keep? What to ditch? Now’s the time to decide! Space is a commodity in an RV, and making a list and checking it twice is the surest way to use it effectively. May we suggest a “one in, one out” rule for things acquired on the road?
Cockpit [ ]
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Think thoroughly about what really needs to be kept in those easy-to-reach compartments upfront. Maps, registration information, and any other important on-the-road documents are examples of things that should take top priority.
Bathroom [ ]
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If you’ve stocked up on duplicate hygiene supplies, now’s the time to take note!
Kitchen [ ]
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How are your cabinets looking? Are you stocked up on cleaning supplies? Are any old or broken utensils and/or appliances still taking up space? This is supposed to be one of your RV’s most functional areas, so give this one the time it needs.
Common Areas [ ]
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No one likes a cluttered common area, so it helps to make the most out of whatever space you have to work with. Once you’ve narrowed down what’s worth keeping, consider storing it in a creative, out-of-the-way place (think walls, behind doors, under seats, and on the ceiling).
Bedroom [ ]
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It’s hard to retire to bed after a long day of travel and fun if the space that’s meant for relaxing is cluttered. Consider every angle of your RV’s bedroom when you’re shaping up and be critical about what’s worth keeping close by and what needs to be taken out. You’ll thank yourself later when you have one less thing to step over on your way to bed!
Additional Storage [ ]
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“Out of sight, out of mind” isn’t always a good thing. When expelling unwanted gear from the areas of your RV that you spend the most time in, make sure it’s gone for good and not just relocated to the back of or underneath your rig. If any unnecessary gear has found its way into your additional storage, now is the time to take note and take action.
Clean!
RV organization is nothing if those same spaces aren’t kept clean! Small spaces get messier faster, so getting in the habit now will make maintaining every nook and cranny of your RV feel a lot less daunting once you’re on the road.
Bathroom [ ]
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Clean the bathroom mirror.
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Disinfect the sink, faucet, countertops, light switches, and toilet.
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Scrub the inside of the toilet bowl.
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Wipe off the showerhead with a cleaner that removes minerals and rust.
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Use a mild cleaning product on the shower walls and floor. Squeegee them to finish and get a streak-free shine.
Kitchen [ ]
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Wipe the inside and outside of the microwave.
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Clean your oven per the manufacturer’s instructions and wipe off the outside.
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Clean the stove range, also per the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Wipe down the interior and exterior of the fridge. Any food left behind from the last go around? Trash it!
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Pull out the fridge and vacuum behind it. This is the perfect area for dust, pet hair, and dirt to get trapped.
Bedroom [ ]
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Change and wash all the bedding. This includes sheets, blankets, pillowcases, pillows, comforters, mattress covers, and bed skirts.
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Vacuum the carpet.
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Make sure there’s nothing from last year’s trips hiding under the bed.
Everywhere Else [ ]
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Sweep or vacuum all the hard floors.
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Use a dry mop on tile, wood, or laminate flooring.
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Vacuum the carpet.
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Dust and wipe down all the baseboards.
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Vacuum and wipe down the insides of the cabinets.
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Wipe all the windows.
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Use your smallest vacuum attachment to clear away dust and dirt that’s in or around the window tracks.
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Vacuum the window covers.
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Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
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Dust the ceiling fan blades.
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Dust all the cabinets, tables, and other shared spaces.
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Beat any rugs, mats, or removable carpet.
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Vacuum the chairs, couches, and cushions.
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Remove air vents and registers to vacuum behind and clean dust from them.
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Replace air filters.
Now that your RV is organized and clean, you’re ready to hit the road! Or maybe in your RV organization and cleaning process, you’ve discovered that you might have outgrown your current rig since last year and that it’s time for a new one. Well, you’re in the right place for that, too!
Click below to find your family’s new memory-maker!
