Tips for Keeping your Motorhome Clean and Pest-Free

Motorhomes and RVs are great fun! However, with owning an RV comes responsibility and maintenance. And this involves keeping your motorhome clean and pest-free. If not cleaned regularly, it can get surprisingly dirty, plus attract unwanted pests and insects. 

If you store your RV for long periods, you should check on it periodically to make sure insects and rodents are kept at bay. When you do start using your motorhome again, keeping the RV “home on wheels” clean should be a regular routine. To make the routine easier, we have a few tips to help you keep your RV in tip-top shape, even while boondocking which can turn out to be a messy proposition in bad weather.

Watch Where You Park 

It’s important to park your RV on level ground, but it’s also important to park on the right surface. The ideal surface is gravel or pavement. Avoid parking on soft spots like grass or sand so there’s less chance of sinking or sitting in the middle of a mud puddle in the morning. Getting out of your parking spot can be challenging if you sink down too far. If you must park on a soft surface put some wooden boards underneath your tires. The boards will help with traction when leaving the site.

Tracking in Mud and Debris

After a day of hiking, clean dirt and mud off your shoes with an outdoor shower hose and boot scraper before climbing inside your RV, especially if the trail was muddy. If possible, always park on gravel or pavement so that mud doesn’t get tracked directly into the motorhome. Use outdoor rugs at entrances, the patio area and walkways to help keep dirt and mud off your shoes. 

In addition, doormats at the entrance give an extra layer of protection from tracking in the outdoor elements. Doorstep mats can also be attached to retractable entrance doorsteps. Independence RV offers several brands, some of which have a rough surface to help scrape excess dirt off your hiking boots as you enter your just-cleaned motorhome. 

One more way to keep the cabin clean is to make the rule: shoes off when entering the motorhome! That seem a bit extreme, but it works. The only downside is if it rains, you might end up with soggy shoes the next day. Store boots and shoes inside with a designated boot tray stashed somewhere out of sight.

Mice and Other Pests

Pests, such as mice and rats would rather live inside your motorhome than outside in the freezing cold. They love building nests behind the walls so you may not see or notice them, until you hear them stirring. These critters can cause damage chewing on the wiring system and other integrated components that keep the lights on and everything running. Here are some of the ways suggested by many RVers on how to ward off these pests in the first place:

Peppermint Oil

If you have a mouse problem, mix a solution of water and peppermint oil, then sprinkle it in areas where you think they may be hiding out. You can also spray it on windowsills and doorways where pests and insects can breach any coach or trailer. If there are holes in your walls or flooring, sprinkle some peppermint oil over them as well. The strong odor will act as a repellent and perhaps even run off any pests that might be lurking in your motorhome.

Bounce Dryer Sheets

Bounce dryer sheets also eliminate pests and insects in an RV. Oddly enough, most dryer sheets contain a certain ingredient that repels common pests, from cockroaches and mice to beetles and spiders. After cleaning each cabinet and drawer, simply place a few of these sheets inside each cabinet or drawer and know that they will stay clean and pest free for a long time.

Clean Up After Meals

One of the biggest reasons for pests invade your RV is when food left out. The most obvious example is if you leave crumbs or dishes out overnight. You may be tired by the end of the day but remember that mice and other pests are always ready for a meal! Clean up any messes you make during the day and make sure you put everything away at night. Invest in covered tubs to store your leftovers.

Mothball Your Motorhome 

If you park your motorhome outside during the winter, mothballs can help keep rodents away from the vehicle. Placing these balls beneath the motorhome will deter mice and other rodents from entering through holes or cracks in the walls or floors of your RV. Many people avoid using mothballs because of the strong smell. For that reason, avoid placing them where the smell could permeate inside the vehicle.

To Summarize…

These few tips and even more suggestions you’ll find on the internet are some of the ways to keep unwanted pests and insects outside while keeping your beloved RV clean inside. Always consider basic preventative measures such as sealing all foodstuffs in containers so that mice or ants are not attracted inside the cabin. Keep insect spray and a few mouse traps on hand just in case they do get in. 

Remember if you are vigilant in maintaining cleanliness and order in your motorhome, you will be less likely to encounter any unwanted pests. When you purchase a new or used motorhome from Independence RV, know that it has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected before you take delivery. 

Independence RV

Independence RV has received the coveted Newmar Diamond Award for the third year in a row. The award recognizes the top Newmar Dealers in the country who have scored better than a 95% customer satisfaction level for the sales process, warranty service and delivery presentation. Only three dealers out of 77 nationwide received such high praise from loyal customers like ours; many who are repeat buyers. Independence RV is the only Newmar dealership in the southeast U.S. to receive this award. 

Family owned and in business since 1985, Independence RV is conveniently located in Winter Garden, Florida, only minutes from Orlando’s major area attractions.