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Showing results for tags 'cleaning'.
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Forgive the newbie question but as we move towards purchasing our caravan, we're both bemused as to how to protect all surfaces from within the toilet/shower "room", from shower water overspray... My OH hates shower curtains; and all the models we're looking at, with the loo sitting on the edge of the shower pan don't have the option for a separate shower cubicle; and even if I did fit a wrap around curtain, the space is so tiny that we're bound to be brushing up against a chilly curtain constantly. Do we need to be prepared to wipe down every surface after each shower to avoid the panelling from getting mouldy/materials rotting? Do we need to plan to store all the shelf items into plastic in that space to avoid them being wet through? Is there some other technique you all use that you can share please? Or is this just an emergency space, because experienced caravanners all use the toilet/shower blocks in van parks?
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We have all heard the term in just about everything, Plumbing to Builder, Servicing workshop to Where to find a good Dentist. 'Word of Mouth' is probably the most important term for someone with a need and only want to use a trusted or recommended provider. That's why Engineer Aftercare Warranty, retail Caravan, Campervan and Motorhome warranty products not only directly to owners, but by working closely with trusted sites like Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS), CaravanTalk, Shield Total Insurance, ValetPRO cleaning & maintenance products, Phantom Tracking and others. Lets choose one example with the Approved Workshop Scheme. The AWS is the official body of caravan manufacturers, dealers and fixed/mobile workshops, they are the only ones who can fix your new van when you have a claim under the manufacturer warranty. You have to be 'Approved' to become a member, which means you have to show ability, experience and understanding of caravan and motorhome habitation sections, including Corgi gas requirements for safety. Your equipment must be officially calibrated and tested periodically for reliability and safety, so that you the owner can relax knowing an AWS workshop did your 'Hab' check or service and you can enjoy trouble free and safe holidays with your family. So, the next time you are considering buying your insurance or replacing a caravan warranty for peace of mind, see who your trusted source recommends, your friends, family or forum/members. Then decide. We at Engineer Aftercare Warranty wish all CaravanTalk members, be safe and well at this time. Martyn Raybould MD -
Looking to get the best approach for cleaning up our van. On the whole, it's not shocking for 2 years outdoors. Its had a hitch cover on it but that's it. There are two vans either side (within 0.5m) and a brick wall immediately behind so the elements aren't really pounding it, other than on the roof and front. I'll be getting it serviced, but given the grime, not happy to pay someone else to do it, for fear of it not being thorough enough or it costing a fortune. What's everybody's routine? I've got some green bits on the edges of trim and around the door seal (visible when open) and on most of the external boxes and doors. There are grey/black streaky marks vertically, that look like debris the rainwater has left behind. What chemicals does everyone use? I have a tub of Silky cream cleaner following a YouTube recommendation which should be good for the green muck I gather. Does anyone use a full body cover? I understand there's a school of thought that says it makes the caravan 'sweat', and another school that says as it moves around in the wind, it rubs on the body and damages the surface. -
Hi peeps, it him again, a quick question if I may, and, whilst this question might seam a bit mad I thought I’d enquire. We’re currently sitting in a great campsite in Kent, however, the lime levels here are extraordinary high, so high you have to wipe the kettle out every two days or you’re drinking limescale, not sure what it’s doing to those poor bu ggers out there that have to suffer it on a permanent basis, however, the question is, “ has anyone out there ever felt the need to run kettle descaler through the water system?” And, if so, did it damage it? would it damage it? Our van is a 2017 model the heating system is a sealed trauma system which runs on antifreeze so no worries with that, but the hot water system, taps and pipe work must be taking a right lime dousing at present, so I was wondering if it’s possible? as always your answers will only be shared with those that visit caravan forum, I’m looking forward to receiving your responses regards johnny
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Greetings, I am a man in his late thirties and looking to travel the UK sometime next year. In order to fund our travels, my wife and I have been thinking about odd jobs that I (or we) might be able to do around caravan parks. I don't currently have a lot of notable DIY skills (something I hope to remedy) but was wondering what jobs I might be able to do to earn some decent money. Caravan cleaning for example? How about greasing chassis? Can anyone tell me what jobs people need doing that don't require a lot of skill or knowledge but are considered important and are decently paid? Thanks Very Much Ollie -
Just been away for a couple of weeks and whilst away the water system got a bit smelly (brackish) and we started getting black bits in the water, so much so that the kitchen tap blocked. I dont know what has caused it as we've never had a problem like this in 20+ years or caravanning and 30+ years of owning a boat with a stored water system. I drain the systen in the winter and give it a blow through to clear as much water as I can. We usually use the van during the winter as well. I clean the system with Puriclean at the beginning of the season and we've had perfectly clean and drinkable water this year (had about 50 nights away) right up to last week when it suddenly went foul. We were on the caravan club site at Bearsted. I cleaned the system whilst we were away with Puriclean, but the smell and bad taste was back by the time we got home. I've given it another clean again with Puriclean, leaving it in for 24 hrs and quite a lot of crud and black bits (probably algae) came out). It got a good flush out yesterday but it was a bit whiffy again this morning. I'm trying another go at Puriclean and flushing a couple of pints through every hour or so but the stuff coming out is still a bit mucky with a few black bits. Has anyone got any ideas - I'm reluctant to shove bleach down the system but I might try some Milton if this doesn't work. I'm thinking of putting Aquatabs into the Aquaroll as well when we next go away in a couple of weeks time. I used SteriTabs or Aquatabs on the boat because the water system was stored and left with water in it for weeks or months at a time and never had a problem.
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My Coachman was parked on my drive 90 degrees to the way it is now and next doors and my combined overhanging trees made a right mess of the roof. Just before Christmas we arranged to have the offending trees cut down and I moved the van to give them access. Yesterday, for the first time in months I haven't had the heating on, the sun put in an appearance and there was no wind. Out with the Karcher, pipe lagged ladder, Auto-Glym car and motorcycle cleaner and long handled mop with hose attachment. This was the view from the CCTV before: and this is after (sides, front and back included). Cold and dull again today but the next task is a real Spring clean inside ready for our first trip of the year. Just wanted to share my efforts.
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We went through some muck on country lanes with meltwater from the snow recently, and some of it must have been foully tarry oily stuff, as the front end of our caravan was generously sprayed brownish black. I've got most of it off the fibreglass with Acetone quickly rinsed off once it has done its job, as advised some time ago on one of these forums by a boatbuilder. But I haven't yet attacked the spot on the window. Not acetone there! A previous discussion either here or elsewhere - can't find it just now - included the strong view that Brasso used lightly was the thing. I'll welcome suggestions, please, though in general I try to avoid proprietary products, partly for the cocktail of chemicals in them, partly because it's amazing how often a cheap old fashioned household thing can do the job just as well. Thanks.
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Was thinking of getting one of these to clean the caravan whilst I'm away, something along the lines of a Dyson V6 or similar, but are they any good? I use a Dyson upright at home which is excellent on dog hair (I have a hairy dog who sheds his body weight in hair every half hour or so) but are the battery powered ones a bit weak? Do they work on pet hair? Does anyone have any suggestions? I often go on sites or meets which don't have EHU so it has to be battery powered.
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I was wondering if anybody on here has has used any of these products. A few of the YouTubers that I subscribe to have had good results with them.
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Hi, I left the campsite at the weekend in haste as it was lashing at the time. I have now got a muddy, sodden awning rammed into an awning bag and a very wet and muddy ground sheet. How do you clean your awning? How do you get it dry? if I leave it any longer will it start to smell and rot?
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If, now the colder weather is here, cleaning the caravan or car makes your hands too cold get a pair of Scuba Diving gloves and wear those whilst cleaning. They will keep your hands surprisingly warm and also protect your fingers from those sharp edges that seem to exist on many caravans. I find it also makes getting in the nooks and crannies of alloy wheels a breeze, just use your fingers in the gloves! Afterwards, simply wash your hands as normal with the gloves on (I use liquid soap) rinse out and hang up to dry.
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I think we'll be adding an extra service to our 'menu' - caravan exterior cleaning. Here's a pic of hubby using his pure water window cleaning system to clean the caravan. The bristles are super soft so won't cause any damage. The water is purified and filtered to laboratory-grade with zero dissolved solids - hence drying to a super shine without any streaks, and no soapy residue to attract further dust/dirt particles. Oh and the telescopic pole allows him to reach safely to clean the roof without the need for ladders etc. Environmentally friendly too as no chemicals are used. Please form an orderly queue
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Hi folks. We took our awning down after an 8 month seasonal pitch, and it's no understatement to say it's ready for a good old cleanup. Just wonered if anyone has any experiences with awning cleaning companies and can reccomend (or not) any one of them. Thanks in anticipation. .........................
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Washing One's Caravan On Caravan Club Sites
RogerGW posted a topic in Caravan Cleaning and Detailing
What is members' experience with: a. doing this themselves on club sites and b. having someone do it for you? I've done the first several times without anyone commenting or complaining but have just had a mobile valeter turned away at the gate of my current site. I wanted to use him because the van roof -- which I can't get to -- is very dirty. Is there a club rule about this or just jobsworths at this site? (Unsurprisingly, nobody from the site office has contacted me to apologise for or explain their action.) Thanks in advance, Roger PS I need this service because I tend to be away from my home base for months at a time, and anyway have no space there to do it. -
Getting Rid Of The Cigarette Smoke Smell From Our 'new' Awning
Guest posted a topic in Caravan Awnings
We have just purchased an Isabella awning from a well known auction site. Alas, the previous owners must be smokers because the awning smells of cigarette smoke. We stupidly didn't ask if they were smokers and they didn't tell us they were, so a valuable, if expensive, lesson learned!! We have no intention of returning it as we paid a fair price, it is in excellent physical condition, is the colour we wanted etc. .. (this model awning is also few and far between). So my question to all you knowledgeable folk is. .. "How best to remove the smell?" I have looked at specific awning cleaners and none seem to mention tobacco, so I was wondering if anybody has had any experience in this department? I know cigarette smoke is tenacious as it tends to seeps into the fabric as remain as a tarry deposit, emitting it's odour ad-infinitum. The awning has only been used a handful of times and there doesn't seem to be any yellowing of the fabric from the smoke. I appreciate I will have to reproof the awning after the clean and have enough in the budget for this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks Jon -
Using purified water that has been filtered of all dissolved solids therefore dries without leaving water marks. No need to lean a ladder against the side of the caravan; and definitely no need to climb on the roof! Water is a natural solvent - and purified / laboratory-grade PURE water is excellent at removing moss, algae etc. No nasty chemicals involved. If your window cleaner uses this system - ask him about cleaning the caravan roof too!
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We have recently purchased a Bailey Pageant Champagne 2009 which we are in the process of cleaning from top to bottom We are wanting to do the Omnivent Extraction Fan & have successfully removed the bottom cover but need to know how to remove the fan blade to clean it & the grill above it. They are all covered in cooking fat/grease plus nicotine smoke & tar - not a good look or smell! Any help would be appreciated
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Well OK yes they are as the benefit of controlling snaking and instability is well worth it. But! After all these years and all the units in use you would have thought that someone would have come up with an easier way of cleaning the pads. If you have a diesel tug ALKO appear to recommend removing them for cleaning after every trip to prevent the dreaded groans! Why oh why is there not a device similar to the safety ball that is abrasive so it can just be inserted and twisted to clean the pads, similarly why is there not a coating that can be used on the towball to keep it free from surface rust so we don't have to constantly de-rust it! (the same I guess applies to the Winterhof units) Of course the might be and I just have not come across it yet, if there is a link would be gratefully received
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Can anyone advise me on what is the best cleaning product to remove yellow stains from my plastic bathroom sink without damaging the surface tks
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Hi, I've just got a new caravan (2nd hand!) & found extensive mouse poo & wee on the upholstery & awning. I am going to steam clean all cushions & carpet. I need some advice on cleaning/disinfecting the awning too. I'm not worried about stains I just need it to be hygenic, but maintain the proofing. I have use of a domestic steam cleaner - should I be able to use this? Or would spraying on a disinfectant like dettol or the like be better or would it damage the proofing? Thanks
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Hi, I hope I can save you from my experience. .............. dont do it October 2012 I sent a fully serviceable if a little stained Isabella Penta for cleaning (the service was advertised as a gentle process) today I received a tatty damaged and probably unservicable and leaky awning . ... in places holed or threadbare take a look Here I hope the link works? Think very carefully about having your awning cleaned your thoughts, advice and comments are most welcome
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Hi guys, I'm a fairly recent owner of a motorhome and read this blog post today with some basic tips on maintaining a motorhome, and wondered if anyone could elaborate and offer some top tips for keeping my MH in great condition. .. (generic tips for any brands) Here's the link to the blog post http://emm-bee. co. uk/news_details. php?id=113 Thanks! Ben
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As we use mainly CL sites where we are, normally, able to dispose of our grey waste in the shrubbery, I am always trying to go for a greener option for washing, cleaning, etc. We stayed at Dulverton CC recently and I came across these locally made products, which are now available on Amazon. They are all reasonably priced for a "green thing" and a little really goes a long way. http://www. greenscents. co. uk/ Have a look at the website, they are really lovely products.
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There have been a few post recently about cleaning the water system and as the weather is conducive to promoting bacterial growth in aquaroll's and water containers I thought I'd pass this on again. Earlier this year we also had a concern that as we had been to a number of locations that were in hard water areas our kettle had started to get a calcium build up. Having in the past used commercial sterilisers, I looked round for an alternative and in my search came across a forum for professional Baristas that was discussing the best way to clean and sterilise expensive commercial coffee machines. The conclusion was a solution of citric acid, as recommended by a number of manufacturers and coffee retail outlet chains. I found a company on line that supplied citric acid as a powder (!Kg bags) and made up a 5% solution and followed the cleaning and rinsing guidelines I found on line. I posted about it on my blog. .. http://caravanchronicles. com/2013/01/12/citric-acid-trip/ So not only does this method sterilise the water system, it also ensures that the water heater does not suffer from calcium build up and we have found that there is no chemical after taste and it just seems a more natural way to clean the system rather than commercial chemical products. S
