Keeping Your Caravan or Camper Spotless in the Aussie Summer

Never, ever wash a caravan in the direct midday sun in Feb. You'll get water spots before you can even grab the hose. Start at 6:00 AM or wait until the arvo when the sun is low.

Check every window, roof vent, and door. Make sure the fridge vent covers are secure. I once saw a mate flood his kitchen because he forgot the rangehood vent was open.

Unplug from the 240v mains. Water and electricity don't mix, no matter how 'weatherproof' the socket claims to be.

Take off the privacy screens or rafters. Roll the awning out about a foot so you can clean the top of it, but don't leave it fully out if it's windy.

Give the whole thing a good soak with just water to loosen the red dust and mud. Start from the top and work down.

Always start here. If you do them last, you'll splash grease and dirt onto your clean panels. Use a degreaser on the A-frame and suspension. Chuck some wheel cleaner on the rims and agitate with a soft brush.

Get up on that ladder. This is where the solar panels and AC units live. Use your long pole and plenty of soapy water. If you've got bird crap, let it dwell under a wet rag for 5 minutes before scrubbing. Honestly, I wouldn't bother with a walk-on roof unless you're 100% sure the manufacturer says it's okay.

If the van is filthy, hit it with a thick layer of snow foam. Let it sit for 5 minutes (not in the sun!) to emulsify the dirt. Rinse it off before it dries.

Starting from the top, wash one panel at a time. Use a horizontal motion, not circles. Circles cause swirl marks that look terrible in the sun.

This is where the bugs die. Use a dedicated bug remover spray. If it's really bad, a clay mitt with plenty of soapy water will shave those bug guts right off without scratching.

While the van is wet, spray a mild soapy solution on the underside of the awning. Roll it up for 10 minutes to let the soap work, then unroll and rinse. It's a neat trick I learned from an old timer at a caravan park in Broome.

Those annoying black lines under windows are caused by window seal runoff. Use a specific Black Streak Remover or a very mild polish. Don't use a magic eraser, they're basically fine sandpaper and will dull your gloss.

Make sure you get all the soap out of the awning arms, the door hinges, and the window tracks. Soap residue attracts dust like crazy.

Use your big microfiber towels. If you let it air dry in the Aussie heat, you'll get calcium spots from the water. In South Australia or WA, the water is often 'harder' and will leave spots in seconds.

Caravan windows are usually acrylic, not glass. Use a clean microfiber and a dedicated plastic cleaner. Never use Windex, the ammonia will turn your windows yellow over time.

Apply a high-quality sealant. Because of the size, I reckon a 'spray and rinse' sealant like Gyeon WetCoat is a lifesaver. You spray it on while the van is wet, then pressure wash it off. Instant protection.

Go around every window and door seal with 303 Aerospace Protectant. It stops them from sticking and cracking. This is the difference between a van that leaks and one that doesn't.