Norwex RV or Camper Checklist and Winterizing Tips

The days are turning chillier and winter is right around the corner, which means for us recreational campers and RVers, it’s time to winterize the rig and put it away until next season. Along with standard winterizing, I like to do a thorough interior cleaning. This makes spring cleaning before the season a lot easier, and gives me time to check and repair anything that may attention. Besides, a clean camper is a happy camper!

Cleaning the interior of an RV takes some particular consideration and attention–RVs are designed to be lightweight, and the materials used in the interior are chosen for this purpose. Many of these surfaces are made of heavy plastics which means that they can be easily scratched and are sensitive to chemicals in standard cleaning solutions.* I love that Norwex is a safe solution, not only for these different surfaces, but also for my family’s health and well-being!

On top of the usual cleaning that I do after we take the RV out, there are a few extra things I will do to clean and maintain the RV once or twice a year. Here are my favorite Norwex items for the job, and how I use them.

Screens, Vents & Blinds

To clean vents and blinds I grab my Norwex Dusting Mitt and spray a little water on it or create some static. It fits like a GLOVE and I just run it along the surfaces and in the grooves to attract and holds dust like a magnet. For screens, I mix up a small amount of Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent in a container of water, dip in my Dusting Mitt and wipe it across my screen.

Wash Ceilings & Walls

After a season on the road, a quick wipe of ceilings and walls is a great idea, and while I’m at it, I look for any discoloration that could indicate leaks. A damp Envirocloth from Norwex is all I need for this job – remember, any harsh cleaning products used on these surfaces could ruin them.

Clean Out Cupboards

I don’t know how, but cupboards always seem to accumulate dust and grime. Thankfully, it isn’t anything a couple of cleanings a year can’t solve! After emptying them, I simply wipe down the inside and outside with a damp Envirocloth and let the microfiber grab and

 hold onto the grime. If the cupboard exteriors are wood and need a little extra conditioning, I will work a little Norwex Leather Shine into them. Remember, the leather polish will smell a bit like honey for a bit after using! Be sure not to use leather polish on cabinets with veneer surfaces.

Stovetop Clean Up

Remove the plates and wipe them down, along with the stovetop. For especially tough stove plate messes, soak in warm water with Norwex Dishwashing Liquid. I like to keep this dishwashing liquid in the RV at all times – it is super concentrated, so it takes up very little space and lasts a LONG time! Plus it is tough on grease, gentle on hands, biodegradable and septic safe.

I clean my aluminum mesh filter element found above the stove top (in the range hood) a couple times a year to remove grease buildup. Again, I reach for my Norwex Dishwashing Liquid, run a sink full of soapy water, then swish the filter back and forth to dissolve the grease. Don’t scrub the filter as this may damage the screen. Rinse thoroughly under clean water and dry completely before replacing.

Refresh the Refrigerator

After defrosting and cleaning all the food out of it, I like to give the fridge and freezer one final wipe down inside and out with a damp Envirocloth. Sometimes refrigerators hold onto odor, but it isn’t anything a spray of Norwex Odor Eliminator can’t solve. Leave the doors open so air can circulate throughout the winter. There is something so satisfying about having a clean refrigerator, ready for next season!

It isn’t a bad idea to wipe down the trash cans as well (don’t forget to take out the trash!) and give them a spritz with Norwex Odor Eliminator so that they are fresh and ready to go in the spring.

Wipe Down Windows

Many RVs and campers have solar film on the windows made up of many layers, including a mylar outer layer that can be scratched by paper towels and damaged by ammonia or other chemical cleaners. The Norwex Car Mitt is perfect for cleaning these windows with just water and NO scratching!

Clean the Bathroom

These get cleaned regularly throughout season, but it is worth mentioning that chemical cleaning and scrubbing solutions should not be used on the bathroom surfaces. RV showers and sinks are made of heavy plastic materials that can scratch easily, and once they do, dirt can build up on these surfaces and ruin them. The Bathroom Scrub Mitt from Norwex is great for these areas, just be sure to test a little area of with the scrubby side before using on all the surfaces!

It is worth mentioning that cleaning RV toilets require special attention as well. These toilets have rubber gaskets and harsh chemicals and bleach can seriously damage these. Fortunately, Norwex’s Sanira Toilet Brush System is the perfect solution to keep in my camper. This non-corrosive, vegetable based cleaning solution is not only safe for the toilet and the gaskets, it is also safe for the tank and biodegrades within 48 hours. Perfect!

Wash Bedding and Mattresses

Sheets get washed after every trip out, but pillows, comforters and mattress covers usually don’t. If I haven’t washed the sheets yet, I’ll do that, and maybe give them a little extra soak in hot water with the Norwex Liquid Laundry Detergent. This detergent is ultra-concentrated and super tough on odors and stains. I just LOVE this detergent! Depending on how dirty my pillows look, I’ll run those through the washer with the Liquid Laundry Detergent as well (unless they are foam!). After washing, or if my pillows don’t seem too dirty after the season, I’ll spray them down with Norwex Mattress Cleaner. This chemical-free, enzyme-based formula helps remove organic material and cleans out body oils, pet dander and other contaminants from pillows, mattresses, comforters, pet bedding and other fabric furniture. I’ll use the Mattress Cleaner on my comforters and mattresses as well. It should be noted, however, that this cleaner should NOT be used on foam mattresses!

After all the bedding has been cleaned and dried, it gets stored in totes for the winter so that dust cannot re-accumulate on it!

Mop the Floors

Floors are another area that get cleaned after (even during!!!) every trip out, but I like to do a thorough cleaning at the end of the season. I keep a Norwex Superior Mini Mop System in our RV and it sure gets used a lot! To wrap up the season, I’ll run the dry mop pad over the floors, and then the wet mop pad. After that, I’ll grab a damp Envirocloth and wipe down the corners and baseboards. While I have a lower perspective, I’ll keep an eye out for any holes or gaps that could give rodents easy access over the winter.

While my end-of-season cleaning list may seem long, it’s easy to make short order of it with a smaller space. And with Norwex, it only takes a little extra effort and NO extra chemicals to get the RV or camper ready for winter and maintain excellent condition through the years.

Looking for more ways to use Norwex? Check out how you can wash the exterior of your camper, RV or vehicle with Norwex ONLY. Read more.

Can’t get enough Norwex? Consider becoming a consultant to earn additional income, free products and even trips! Did I mention that the consultant discount is fabulous? Learn more here.

*PLEASE: Be sure to read your camper or RV manual before cleaning or winterizing!