Spring is the perfect time to give your rig a thorough cleaning – inside and out. And with the school holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get rid of unnecessary clutter for your next family road trip. By following these simple spring cleaning tips, your caravan will be ready for anything the road (and your family) can throw at it.

Interior Cleaning

• Run water through the system to flush it out. Use a robust cleaner to sterilise the tanks, so they are ready for use. After the cleaning, test for leaks and refill the tanks with fresh water
• Connect to a reliable electricity supply and check all power points and lights
• Reconnect the gas supply, test the outlets and refill if necessary
• Check the fire extinguishers and batteries in your photoelectric smoke alarms
• Test all door handles and window latches, and tighten or lubricate (with Vaseline) if necessary
• Sniff out or use a damp meter to detect signs of dampness, condensation or mould before it has a chance to take hold

Exterior Cleaning

Give your caravan a thorough washing, being mindful to remove any stains, mould, dust, bird droppings and tree sap. This will allow you to see and repair peeling paint or rust spots

When cleaning the exterior of your caravan, avoid high-pressure hoses and always use a non-toxic, biodegradable soap. This is preferable to other soaps, as their caustic ingredients may cause irreversible damage to your caravan’s door and window seals and air vents

• Ensure the wheel hub and bearings are well-greased and free of rust and dirt
• Check the caravan’s coupling, jockey wheel, and safety chains
• Test the brakes on the towing vehicle and caravan. Ensure the electric brake controller is connected and working properly
• Test all batteries and generators

Spring Cleaning

• Give your caravan a thorough scrubbing – inside and out
• Clean the fridge with a mild detergent and leave it open to dry out
• Scrub the bathroom, toilet, and sinks
• Search every corner for signs of mould and mildew
• Wash and replace all soft furnishings
• Ensure the flyscreens and window seals are intact

Pre-Planning

This is perhaps the most important detail. After all, the last thing you want on a family holiday is to run out of supplies. To ensure you have enough food, water or other essentials on the road, sit down with your family and write detailed lists of everything you’ll need.

For more handy tips on spring cleaning your caravan for your next family holiday, call or email the experienced team at Kakadu Annexes today.