6 Best Cleaners For Outdoor RV Furniture Plastic Nomads Swear By

You pull into a beautiful dispersed campsite, ready to relax. You grab your trusty plastic camp chairs, and that’s when you see it: a lovely patina of road grime, faded streaks from the sun, and a few mystery spots from last season’s adventures. Your outdoor furniture is the frontline of your mobile living room, and it takes a beating from sun, rain, and road dust. Choosing the right cleaner isn’t just about looks; it’s about protecting your gear for the long haul.

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Why Your RV Plastic Furniture Needs Special Care

Plastic isn’t invincible. The outdoor furniture that travels with you faces a unique combination of threats that your backyard patio set never will. Constant exposure to UV rays is the number one enemy, causing plastic to become brittle, faded, and weak over time.

Then there’s the road itself. Highway grime, exhaust soot, and salt spray can bake onto surfaces, creating a stubborn film that’s hard to remove. Add in the variable humidity of different climates, and you have a perfect recipe for mildew growth, especially on textured plastic surfaces where moisture can get trapped.

Using the wrong cleaner can make things worse. Abrasive powders will scratch the surface, creating more places for dirt to hide. Harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia can accelerate UV degradation, turning your chairs into a chalky, cracked mess. The goal is to clean effectively without stripping away the plastic’s protective layers or causing long-term damage.

303 Multi-Surface Cleaner for All-Around Use

If you’re going to carry just one dedicated cleaner, this is a strong contender. 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner is the workhorse of any RVer’s cleaning kit because it’s safe for nearly every surface inside and out, from vinyl and plastic to fabric and metal. It’s gentle but effective, lifting dirt and stains without harsh chemicals.

What really sets it apart for outdoor furniture is its UV-blocking technology. While it cleans, it leaves behind a protective layer that helps shield plastic from the sun’s damaging rays. Think of it as sunscreen for your gear. It won’t reverse existing sun damage, but it’s one of the best preventative measures you can take.

Use it for routine wipe-downs after setting up camp or before packing up. It’s perfect for removing light dust, bird droppings, and general grime. For best results, pair it with a dedicated UV protectant spray from the same brand after cleaning to maximize sun protection. It’s not a heavy-duty degreaser, but for everyday maintenance, it’s hard to beat.

Star brite Mildew Stain Remover for Damp Climates

Anyone who has spent a summer in Florida or the Pacific Northwest knows mildew is a constant battle. It appears as black or green specks on your chairs, tables, and awnings, and it can be incredibly stubborn. Star brite Mildew Stain Remover is a specialized tool for this specific problem.

Unlike general-purpose cleaners, this product is formulated to kill mildew spores at the source, preventing them from growing back immediately. It works without heavy scrubbing, which is crucial for preventing scratches on your plastic furniture. You simply spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe or rinse it off. The stains often disappear right before your eyes.

This is a more potent cleaner, so it’s not for everyday use. Keep it on hand for when you notice mildew starting to form, especially after a period of rain or high humidity. Always test it on a small, inconspicuous area first, as it can be strong. It’s a problem-solver you’ll be glad to have when you need it.

Simple Green for Tough Grime and Grease Stains

After a long travel day or a week of boondocking, your furniture can be coated in a nasty mix of road grime, diesel soot, and maybe even some grease from a campfire cookout. This is where Simple Green shines. It’s a powerful, biodegradable degreaser that cuts through oily, sticky messes that other cleaners can’t touch.

The beauty of Simple Green is its versatility and eco-friendly formula. You can dilute it for lighter jobs or use it at full strength for caked-on grime. As a non-toxic and biodegradable cleaner, it’s a responsible choice for nomads who are conscious of their environmental footprint, especially when cleaning up at a campsite.

While it’s an excellent degreaser, it doesn’t offer any UV protection. After using Simple Green to deep clean your furniture, it’s a good idea to follow up with a UV protectant spray to restore that crucial defense against the sun. Think of it as the deep-cleaning "shampoo" before you apply the protective "conditioner."

Krud Kutter for Stubborn, Set-In Stain Removal

Sometimes you’re faced with a stain that just won’t budge. We’re talking about old tree sap, berry stains, or mystery marks that have been baked on by the sun for weeks. For these situations, you need to bring out the heavy artillery: Krud Kutter.

This cleaner is a powerhouse, designed to dissolve the toughest, most set-in stains. It’s water-based and biodegradable but don’t let that fool you—it’s incredibly effective. It works on a molecular level to break down the stain, allowing you to simply wipe it away.

Because of its strength, Krud Kutter is a "use as needed" product, not an all-purpose cleaner. It’s the one you reach for after everything else has failed. It’s essential to spot-test it first, as its potency could affect older, more brittle plastics. But when you have a stain that you thought was permanent, this stuff can feel like magic.

The DIY Dawn & Vinegar Solution: A Nomad’s Go-To

Every full-timer has a few tricks up their sleeve, and this simple DIY cleaner is one of the most common. It’s cheap, the ingredients are always on hand, and it works surprisingly well for general cleaning. All you need is a spray bottle, water, a splash of white vinegar, and a few drops of original blue Dawn dish soap.

The vinegar helps to break down mineral deposits from hard water and general grime, while the Dawn provides the gentle cleaning and grease-cutting power. This solution is perfect for a quick wipe-down of tables and chairs before a meal or for cleaning up minor spills. It’s the definition of a practical, resourceful solution.

However, it’s important to understand its limits. This mixture won’t do much against heavy mildew or deep-set stains. Most importantly, it offers zero UV protection and the vinegar can be slightly acidic, so you’ll want to rinse it off thoroughly. It’s a fantastic go-to for daily upkeep, but it doesn’t replace the need for a specialized cleaner or a UV protectant.

Meguiar’s M40: Cleans and Conditions Plastic

If your plastic furniture is starting to look faded and chalky, you need more than just a cleaner—you need a conditioner. Meguiar’s M40 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner is a one-step product that does both. It’s a favorite in the automotive and marine worlds for a reason.

This product gently cleans the surface while its conditioning agents penetrate the plastic, restoring some of the original color and richness. It leaves behind a clean, non-greasy satin finish that isn’t sticky or slick. This conditioning is vital for older plastic, as it helps keep it flexible and less prone to cracking.

Think of this as a restoration product. It’s perfect for a once-or-twice-a-season treatment to bring your gear back to life. While it does offer some UV protection, its primary strength is in revitalizing the look and feel of tired plastic. For RVers who want to keep their gear looking its best, not just clean, this is an excellent addition to the arsenal.

Maintaining Plastic Furniture: Long-Term Care Tips

Cleaning is only one part of the equation. True long-term care is about proactive maintenance to minimize the damage in the first place. A few simple habits can dramatically extend the life of your outdoor plastic furniture.

The single best thing you can do is reduce its exposure to direct sun. When you’re not using your chairs and tables, tuck them under the RV’s awning or slide-out. If you’re storing them for an extended period, use furniture covers or simply put them in a storage bay. Less sun exposure means less UV damage, period.

Finally, make protection a regular part of your routine. After a deep clean, always apply a dedicated UV protectant spray like 303 Aerospace Protectant. A quick application every month or two creates a powerful barrier against the sun and makes future cleanups easier. A little prevention saves you from having to replace expensive gear down the road.

Ultimately, there is no single "best" cleaner for every situation you’ll encounter on the road. The key is to build a small, versatile cleaning kit tailored to the challenges you face most often. By matching the right product to the right problem—and focusing on preventative care—you can keep your outdoor living space clean, functional, and ready for the next adventure.