How to Clean Your Caravan and Get Rid of That Red Dust

Before you even think about grabbing the hose, go around and check all your windows, vents, and doors. If a seal is cracked, you're going to end up with a puddle on your bed. To be honest, I usually chuck some painter's tape over any dodgy-looking vents just to be safe.

Never wash a van in the direct midday sun. The water and soap will dry instantly, leaving spots that are a nightmare to get off. If you can't find shade, start at the crack of dawn or wait until later in the arvo.

Double-check the roof hatches! I once saw a bloke at a caravan park forget his main hatch was open while he hit it with the hose. The missus wasn't happy, put it that way.

Start from the bottom. If you've been on the beach or the red dirt, there's heaps of salt and grit hiding in the chassis. Get under there and give it a proper flush. If you've been on the Nullarbor, you'll be amazed how much dust comes out of the rails.

Rinse from the top down. You want to get the loose grit off before you touch it with a brush. If you skip this, you’re basically sandpapering your paint.

If it's filthy, mix some CT18 in a foam cannon or a spray bottle. Apply it to the dry-ish surface, let it sit for 5-10 mins (don't let it dry!), then rinse. This breaks down the static bond of that red dust.

Always start with the roof. It’s the dirtiest part and it drains onto everything else. Use your long-reach brush and plenty of soapy water. Watch out for solar panels, treat them like glass and don't use anything abrasive.

Do one side at a time. I usually break a side into three vertical sections. Wash, then rinse immediately. If you try to soap the whole 20-foot van at once, the first bit will be dry before you're halfway through.

Caravan windows are usually acrylic, not glass. They scratch if you even look at them funny. Use a fresh, clean microfibre mitt for these, never the same brush you used on the muddy chassis rails.

Chuck some wheel cleaner on, give them a scrub with a dedicated brush, and rinse. Don't forget the spare tyre on the back; they often hold a lot of gunk.

One last pass over the whole thing to make sure no soap is hiding behind the awning arm or under the window lips.

Use those big microfibre towels. If you let it air dry in Australia, you'll get water spots thanks to our hard water. It's a pain, but it makes a massive difference to the finish.

Once it's dry, wipe some 303 Protectant onto your window seals. This stops them from drying out and sticking to the windows in the heat.