6 Best All Purpose Cleaners for RVs

You finally wrestle the bulky bottle of window cleaner, the half-empty tub of floor wipes, and the sticky spray degreaser into the back of a cabinet. You slam the door, hoping it stays shut. Every RVer knows this battle intimately; the fight for every square inch of storage is constant, and cleaning supplies are notorious space hogs. The solution isn’t to stop cleaning, but to clean smarter with products that do more with less.

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Why Concentrated Cleaners Save Space in an RV

Concentrated cleaners are the ultimate RV space-saving hack. The core principle is simple: you buy one small bottle of potent liquid and dilute it with your own water in a reusable spray bottle. This single, compact container can replace a half-dozen or more full-size, pre-mixed products. Think about it. One 16-ounce bottle of concentrate can make gallons of all-purpose cleaner, eliminating the need for separate glass, counter, and floor cleaners.

This approach goes beyond just saving cabinet real estate. It’s a massive win for weight management, a critical concern in any rig. Swapping five pounds of ready-to-use cleaners for a one-pound bottle of concentrate adds up, giving you more cargo capacity for things you actually enjoy. It also drastically reduces plastic waste and saves a significant amount of money over time. You stop paying for water and plastic, and only pay for the active ingredients.

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds: The Biodegradable Pick

Sal Suds is a legend in the small-living community for a reason. It’s not a soap; it’s a surfactant-based detergent. This is a key distinction because it means Sal Suds rinses clean without leaving any soap scum or film, making it fantastic for washing dishes in a small RV sink or cleaning shower walls without extra scrubbing.

Its power is in its versatility. A few drops can wash a sink full of dishes, a capful can do a load of laundry, and a tablespoon in a gallon of water will mop your entire floor. It’s also biodegradable and plant-based, making it a top choice for boondockers who need to be mindful of their grey water. The crisp, clean pine scent is refreshing, but be warned: this stuff is potent. Always dilute it more than you think you need to.

Simple Green: The Classic Heavy-Duty Degreaser

When you need serious muscle, you reach for Simple Green. This is the cleaner you use for the jobs that make other products cry. Think black streaks on your fiberglass exterior, greasy buildup around the stove, or grime on your leveling jacks. Its non-toxic, biodegradable formula is surprisingly powerful, cutting through oil and gunk with ease.

The key to using Simple Green effectively is understanding its dilution ratios. A strong 1:1 dilution can tackle an engine bay, while a 1:10 mix is great for general heavy cleaning. For light tasks like wiping down outdoor furniture or cleaning windows, you can dilute it as much as 1:100. Its distinct, slightly medicinal scent is a hallmark of its power. While it’s an incredible degreaser, it might be overkill—and a bit too fragrant—for everyday countertop wipedowns.

Branch Basics: A Plant-Based Refill System

Branch Basics offers a different approach: an entire cleaning system powered by a single concentrate. You get one bottle of their plant-based, fragrance-free concentrate and a set of empty, reusable spray bottles labeled for different uses: All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, and even a foaming hand soap dispenser. The instructions tell you exactly how much concentrate and water to add for each specific application.

This system is a dream for anyone with chemical sensitivities, allergies, or a desire for a completely scent-free environment. Because you’re creating specific dilutions for specific jobs, you get optimized performance without the guesswork. The primary tradeoff is the initial investment. You’re buying into a premium ecosystem, which costs more upfront than a single bottle of another concentrate. But for those who prioritize health and simplicity, the integrated system is well worth it.

Thieves Household Cleaner: An Essential Oil Option

For those who love the warm, spicy aroma of essential oils, Thieves Household Cleaner is a clear favorite. Based on a blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils, this plant-based concentrate has a cult following. It’s a fantastic all-purpose cleaner for surfaces, floors, and even tough spots on carpets, leaving behind a pleasant scent that many find comforting.

A single capful mixed in a spray bottle of water is all you need for most daily cleaning tasks. It effectively cuts through kitchen grease and daily grime without the harsh chemical smell of traditional cleaners. However, it’s important to consider two things. First, it’s sold by Young Living, an MLM company, which can be a dealbreaker for some. Second, while plant-based, certain essential oils can be harmful to pets, so pet owners should research the ingredients carefully before using it around their furry companions.

Mrs. Meyer’s Concentrate for a Scented Clean

If the idea of cleaning your RV and having it smell like a garden appeals to you, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Concentrate is your answer. This product is all about making the chore of cleaning a more pleasant sensory experience. Available in a wide range of scents like Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Basil, it makes your small space feel fresh and homey.

This concentrate is best suited for general, everyday cleaning. It’s perfect for wiping down counters, mopping vinyl floors, and cleaning up minor spills. It’s not a heavy-duty degreaser designed to tackle baked-on grime, but it excels at maintenance cleaning. For RVers who keep a tidy rig, it’s often all that’s needed for the interior. The main consideration is whether you enjoy scented products; if you’re sensitive to fragrances, this one isn’t for you.

Campsuds: The Ultimate Multi-Use Outdoor Soap

Born from the backpacking world, Campsuds is the minimalist RVer’s secret weapon. This tiny, unassuming bottle contains a highly concentrated, biodegradable soap that can do almost everything. It’s designed for washing dishes, hands, hair, and clothes in the great outdoors, which translates perfectly to the constraints of RV life, especially for off-grid campers.

You can use it to wash your dishes, do a small load of sink laundry, or even as a body wash in a pinch. Because it’s engineered for leave-no-trace ethics, it’s gentle on the environment. The tradeoff for this incredible versatility is a lack of specialized power. It won’t degrease an engine or scrub away stubborn black streaks, but as a single bottle to handle 90% of your daily washing needs—from your body to your coffee cup—it is unmatched in its efficiency and small footprint.

How to Choose Your Ideal RV Concentrated Cleaner

There is no single "best" cleaner for every RVer. The right choice depends entirely on your needs, priorities, and lifestyle. Instead of searching for one perfect bottle, think about which factors matter most to you and your travel style.

Use this framework to find your match:

• For Heavy-Duty Grime: If you frequently tackle greasy messes, black streaks, or outdoor equipment, you need a powerful degreaser. Simple Green is your workhorse.
• For the Eco-Conscious RVer: If biodegradability and a gentle impact on your grey tank are paramount, especially for boondocking, choose Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds or Campsuds.
• For Sensitive Noses & Skin: If you or your family members have allergies or are sensitive to fragrances and harsh chemicals, the fragrance-free, plant-based formula of Branch Basics is the safest bet.
• For a Scented Experience: If you want your RV to smell amazing after cleaning, you can’t go wrong with the pleasant aromas of Mrs. Meyer’s or the essential oil blend in Thieves Household Cleaner.

Many experienced nomads end up with a two-bottle system: a heavy-duty degreaser for the tough, infrequent jobs, and a versatile daily driver for everything else. This combination provides maximum cleaning power and flexibility without sacrificing precious storage space.

Switching to a concentrated cleaner is more than a storage hack; it’s a shift in mindset. It’s about simplifying your systems, reducing your waste, and making intentional choices that support a life of freedom on the road. By choosing the right concentrate, you reclaim your cabinet space for more important things—like adventure.