Your camping trip was amazing, the weather was perfect, and you made family memories that you’ll treasure forever. But in the hurry to get your RV rental back you didn’t clean up after yourselves….and got slapped with an additional cleaning fee!
Luckily, it’s easy to avoid additional fees by cleaning your RV rental before you return it, and keep both you and the owners of the rig happy.
How to Clean an RV
Double check that you’ve packed up all your belongings. RVs have outlets in weird places, so make sure to check for any hidden cords or plugs. Make sure to check the fridge too. If you brought food or beverages on the trip, take it with you instead of leaving it in the rig.
Do some light cleaning. Wipe down the kitchen countertops, dinette table, and bathroom surfaces. Clean up any spills that might have happened. If you’ve tracked in a lot of dirt or sand, give the trailer a good sweep before you leave and shake out any entry rugs if they’re particularly dusty or sandy.
Check the rental listing to see if you are responsible for dumping the tanks or if the owner will do that. You may have to dump the gray and black tanks before you bring the rig back, or the owner might take care of it once your trip is finished. Confirm with the owner when you pick up the rig to avoid any fees.
Air out the RV. It’s easy for RVs to smell musty and stale if they’ve been sealed up for a few days. So if the weather is nice, crack a window or two to let some fresh air flow through.
While cleaning the RV, avoid using any chemicals or cleaners with strong smells. If you can, simply stick with soap, water, and cleaning products provided.
RV Cleaning Checklist
Using the checklist below will help ensure you don’t miss anything as you clean the RV before returning it.
- Double check for your belongings
- Empty the fridge
- Take out the trash
- Air out the space
- Wash dishes
- Wipe down counters and tables
- Shake out rigs
- Sweep and vacuum
- Wipe down the shower, toilet, and sink
- Dump tanks (if required)
Avoid Fees with a Good RV Cleaning
Besides a standard prep/disinfecting/cleaning fee that most RV listings have (to make sure the rig is sparkling clean and sanitized for your arrival), some RV listings charge additional cleaning fees if the rig is returned excessively dirty on the inside or outside. Cleaning fees will either be listed under the “Rules & Policies” or “Rates & Availability” sections on the RVshare listing, but you can avoid these fees by doing the cleaning mentioned above.
Upfront pet fees or additional pet cleaning fees will also be listed in one of these sections. If you’re planning on bringing your furry friends, first check to see if they’re allowed in the rig you’re considering then check to see if there is an additional fee, so you won’t be caught by surprise.
Cleaning your rig might not be the most exciting part of camping, but by doing so, you’ll avoid extra cleaning fees, maintain a good relationship with the RV owner, and leave the RV in tip top shape for the next renter to enjoy.
