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Interior Cleaning intermediate 3 min read

The Post-Trip Caravan Deep Clean Checklist

Your car's interior cops more abuse than you realise—UV damage, spills, body oils, and the occasional fast food disaster. Here's how to fight back.

Don't let that red dust or salt spray sit on your van for another week. This checklist covers everything you need to get your home-away-from-home back to showroom condition before the winter sets in.

D"M
Dave "Davo" Mitchell Off-Road & 4WD Specialist
| Updated: 6 March 2026
The Post-Trip Caravan Deep Clean Checklist

Aussie Conditions

Australian UV is 15% stronger than Europe. Your dash and leather need proper UV protection, not just cleaning, especially if you park outside.
Quick Summary

Look, I've spent years scrubbing red dust out of seals and it's a nightmare if you leave it. Whether you've just come back from a coastal run or a dusty trek through the red centre, this checklist is designed to get the job done fast. I've used these exact steps on everything from old Jaycos to brand new off-roaders.

01

Essential Gear & Products

What You'll Need

0/8
Long-reach wash brush — Get one with soft bristles. I've seen blokes use stiff brooms and absolutely ruin their gelcoat (don't be that guy).
Bowden's Own Snow Job & Foam Cannon — Massive time saver for big vans. Let the foam do the heavy lifting on those bugs.
Two 15L buckets with grit guards — Essential. One for soapy water, one for rinsing your mitt.
Rubber seal conditioner (303 Aerospace) — The Aussie sun kills seals. This stuff is gold for keeping them supple.
Microfibre wash mitt — A big one. Don't use a sponge, it'll just trap dirt and scratch the finish.
Degreaser or APC — For the drawbar and suspension bits where grease cakes on.
Non-acidic wheel cleaner — Safe for those fancy alloy rims.
A decent ladder — Safety first. Make sure it's on level ground before you climb up.
02

Pre-Start Checklist

What You'll Need

0/4
Close all windows and hatches — Check 'em twice. I once flooded a customer's bedroom because a roof vent was cracked open.
Disconnect 240v power — Water and electricity don't mix. Common sense, but easily forgotten.
Check for wasp nests — Mud daubers love fridge vents and awnings. Better to find them now than mid-wash.
Retract or secure the awning — Unless you're cleaning it specifically, keep it tucked away from high-pressure water.
03

The Step-by-Step Method

Tap each step to mark complete
01

The Roof First

Always start at the top. Blast off the bird droppings and bat mess first. If you leave this for last, you'll just be washing the sides twice.

02

Pre-Soak and Foam

Hit the front nose cone and sides with foam. Let it dwell for 5 minutes (out of the sun!) to soften up those baked-on Highway 1 bugs.

03

The Two-Bucket Wash

Work in sections, roughly 2 metres wide. Wash from top to bottom, rinsing your mitt often. I reckon a dedicated caravan soap works best for UV protection.

04

Wheels and Underbody

After a beach trip, spend ages here. Flush the chassis rails and leaf springs. Salt is the silent killer for Aussie campers, trust me.

05

Awning Deep Clean

Roll it out, spray with a mild soap, roll it back up for 10 minutes to soak, then scrub and rinse. Ensure it's bone dry before final storage.

06

Seal and Protect

Once dry, hit the paint with a spray sealant like Meguiar's Ceramic Wax. It makes getting the dust off next time ten times easier.

04

Final Inspection Checklist

What You'll Need

0/4
Check window tracks for grit — Red dust loves hiding here. Use a damp cloth to wipe them out.
Inspect solar panels — Wipe them down with a clean microfibre. Even a thin layer of dust drops their efficiency massively.
Apply rubber protectant — Hit every window and door seal. It stops them sticking and tearing in the heat.
Grease the hitch — Give it a fresh dab of grease once the old grit is cleaned off.

Watch Out

Avoid using high-pressure washers near fridge vents, heater exhausts, or window seals. I've seen a mate blow water straight through a seal and soak his missus's pillow, not a good start to the weekend. Also, never wash the van while the panels are hot to the touch; you'll get water spots that are a nightmare to polish out.

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