6 Best RV-Specific Cleaning Supplies for Maintenance Nomads Swear By
RVs require special care. Discover the 6 essential cleaning supplies seasoned nomads use to tackle everything from black streaks to tank maintenance.
You pull into a new campground and see it: a rig with faded decals, chalky siding, and stubborn black streaks weeping from every seam. That RV isn’t just dirty; it’s a rolling example of deferred maintenance. In the world of RVing, cleaning is maintenance, and using the right supplies is the difference between protecting your investment and accidentally causing expensive damage.
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Essential Cleaning Tools for RV Maintenance
Your RV isn’t a house, and it’s definitely not just a big car. It’s a unique combination of materials—fiberglass, aluminum, rubber roofing, acrylic windows, and delicate seals—all exposed to brutal sun, road grime, and constant vibration. Treating it like a car and hitting it with dish soap and a bristle brush is a fast track to faded gel coats and cracked gaskets.
The goal isn’t just to make it look shiny. The right cleaning arsenal prevents the slow, costly decay that grounds even the most adventurous nomads. It’s about using products that are chemically compatible with the surfaces you’re cleaning. A harsh degreaser that works on your truck’s engine will strip the protective oils from your EPDM rubber roof, leading to premature aging and leaks.
Think of your cleaning kit as a specialized toolkit. You wouldn’t use a hammer to turn a screw. Likewise, you need specific solutions for specific jobs: a gentle wash for the siding, a dedicated treatment for the roof, a UV protectant for the seals, and a powerful but safe agent for the holding tanks. Building this kit isn’t about buying more stuff; it’s about buying the right stuff to save you time, effort, and thousands in repair bills down the road.
Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax ALL for Exteriors
Clean, protect, and shine your vehicle with this aircraft-quality waterless wash and wax. Its advanced formula safely cleans all surfaces, leaving a non-stick UV protective coating. Use it anywhere, anytime, for a brilliant finish.
Water is often a precious resource on the road, especially for boondockers or those staying in parks with washing restrictions. This is where a high-quality waterless wash like Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax ALL becomes a game-changer. Originally developed for aircraft, this spray-on, wipe-off formula allows you to clean your entire rig with just a few microfiber towels and a couple of gallons of water (or none at all, if you’re just doing a touch-up).
The process is simple: spray a small section, gently wipe with a damp microfiber to lift the dirt, and then buff to a shine with a dry one. It leaves behind a layer of wax that protects against UV rays and makes future cleanings easier. Unlike traditional washing, there’s no messy runoff, no need for a hose, and you can do it right in your campsite without violating park rules.
While it won’t tackle six months of caked-on mud, it’s the perfect solution for the regular upkeep that keeps road grime from becoming a permanent fixture. It’s the ultimate tool for maintaining a clean exterior without the logistical hassle of a full-blown wash day. Many full-timers use it weekly to keep their rig looking sharp and protected, significantly extending the life of their gel coat and decals.
Dicor Rubber Roof Cleaner: A Rooftop Essential
Your RV roof is your first line of defense against the elements, and it’s likely made of EPDM or TPO rubber—materials that household cleaners can destroy. Products containing petroleum distillates, citrus ingredients, or harsh abrasives will strip the oils from the rubber, making it brittle and prone to cracking. This is non-negotiable: you must use a cleaner specifically formulated for RV rubber roofs.
Dicor Rubber Roof Cleaner is the industry standard for a reason. It’s a two-part system, typically a cleaner followed by a UV protectant, designed to safely lift dirt, mold, and chalky residue without damaging the membrane itself. Regular cleaning (at least twice a year) isn’t just for looks; it prevents the chalky runoff that causes those ugly black streaks on your RV’s siding.
Think of your roof as your rig’s skin. Neglecting it is like inviting water damage directly into your ceiling and walls, one of the most catastrophic and expensive repairs an RV owner can face. A jug of Dicor cleaner is a tiny investment compared to the cost of a roof replacement. It’s a fundamental part of preventative maintenance that every owner needs to perform.
Camco Black Streak Remover for Tough Stains
Effortlessly remove black streaks, bugs, tar, and grease from RV exteriors with this professional-strength cleaner. Its powerful formula is safe for most surfaces, excluding rubber or membrane roofs, and includes a bonus hitch decal.
Those ugly black streaks are the bane of every RVer’s existence. They’re not just dirt; they’re a grimy cocktail of roof material runoff, asphalt from the road, and environmental pollutants that bake onto your siding in the sun. Simple soap and water rarely cut it, and scrubbing too hard can permanently scratch your fiberglass or decal graphics.
Camco’s Black Streak Remover (and similar products from brands like Thetford or Bio-Kleen) is formulated to dissolve these specific stains without damaging the surface underneath. You simply spray it on, let it sit for a moment to break down the grime, and wipe it away. It feels like magic the first time you use it.
However, remember that black streaks are a symptom, not the disease. Their presence is a clear signal that your roof is shedding and needs to be cleaned and treated. Using a black streak remover is the cure, but maintaining your roof with a product like Dicor is the prevention.
Happy Campers Tank Treatment for Odor Control
Eliminate RV toilet odors and prevent clogs with Happy Campers. This extra-strength treatment quickly breaks down waste and is safe for all holding tanks.
Nothing will ruin your trip faster than a malfunctioning or smelly black tank. For years, the go-to solution was harsh, blue formaldehyde-based chemicals that killed bacteria but also harmed septic systems and could irritate your senses. The modern, and frankly better, approach is a mineral or enzyme-based treatment like Happy Campers.
Happy Campers uses a highly concentrated blend of minerals that work to accelerate decomposition and eliminate odor, rather than just masking it with a chemical perfume. It’s effective in extreme hot and cold temperatures, and a single scoop can treat a 40-gallon tank. Because it doesn’t rely on live bacteria, it won’t be rendered useless by other chemicals you might use.
Crucially, it also helps clean the tank and sensors. By preventing waste from building up on the tank walls, it helps your sensors read accurately—no more "full" light when you know the tank is empty. For a trouble-free and odor-free experience, a high-quality tank treatment is an absolute must-have.
303 Protectant: Vital for Seals and Slides
UV radiation is the silent killer of your RV’s most vulnerable parts: the rubber seals around your slides, windows, and storage bays, as well as your tires. When these seals dry out and crack, they create a direct path for water to enter your rig. A leaky slide-out can cause thousands of dollars in hidden floor and wall damage before you even notice it.
303 Aerospace Protectant is essentially sunscreen for your RV’s rubber, vinyl, and plastic components. It provides superior UV protection without leaving a greasy, dust-attracting residue like many silicone-based products. A quick wipe-down of all your seals every few months keeps them supple and effective.
Protect your investments from UV damage with 303 Aerospace Protectant. It restores lost color and luster on vinyl, rubber, plastic, leather, and more, leaving a clear, matte finish.
Don’t stop at the seals. Use it on your tires to prevent sidewall cracking, on your vinyl decals to stop them from fading and peeling, and even on your plastic dashboard to keep it from cracking under the relentless sun. This single product is one of the most important preventative maintenance tools in your entire arsenal.
Thetford Awning Cleaner for Mildew & Grime
Safely clean and protect RV or home awnings with this powerful, biodegradable formula. It effectively removes tough stains, bugs, and bird droppings while offering UV protection without discoloration.
Your awning provides wonderful shade, but it’s also a magnet for tree sap, bird droppings, and moisture. Rolling up a damp or dirty awning is a recipe for a disgusting mildew problem. When you unfurl it weeks later, you’re met with a splotchy, smelly mess that can be incredibly difficult to remove.
A dedicated awning cleaner like Thetford’s is formulated to tackle these specific issues. It helps break down stubborn grime and contains ingredients that kill mold and mildew spores without harming the delicate vinyl or acrylic fabric. Standard soaps often aren’t strong enough, and harsh chemicals like bleach can weaken the fabric and stitching over time.
For best results, spray the cleaner on the extended awning, roll it up for a few minutes to let the solution soak evenly, and then unroll it and rinse thoroughly. Cleaning your awning before any long period of storage is a critical step. It ensures that when you arrive at your next beautiful destination, you have a clean, welcoming patio space waiting for you.
Building Your Essential RV Cleaning Arsenal
Having the right supplies on hand turns a daunting chore into a manageable routine. A well-stocked kit means you can deal with issues as they arise—like bird droppings or tree sap—before they bake on and cause permanent stains. It’s about being prepared, not just reactive.
Your core kit should revolve around the six products we’ve discussed. They cover the most critical and vulnerable systems of your rig, from the roof down to the tires and tanks. Beyond these, a few key tools will complete your arsenal:
- A good extendable wash brush with a soft head for reaching the high spots on your rig without a ladder.
- A large stack of microfiber towels. You can never have too many. Use different colors for different tasks to avoid cross-contamination (e.g., wax towels vs. window towels).
- A quality squeegee for getting a streak-free finish on your large RV windows.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking one "all-purpose" cleaner can do it all. RVs are complex machines with diverse needs. Investing in a small, specialized arsenal of cleaning supplies isn’t an expense—it’s the cheapest insurance you can buy to protect the value and longevity of your home on wheels.
Ultimately, these aren’t just cleaning supplies; they are tools of preservation that empower you to keep your rig safe, functional, and ready for the next adventure.
