Cleaning an Old RV

Updated on June 11, 2011
M.S. asks from Cardington, OH
8 answers

I've been on a roll, with the question-asking this week!! You guys help so much, I'll keep it going! :)

We recently purchased an old RV (1980's). And, yes, we ARE the Griswold's!!! "S*****'r's full!!" LOL! ANYway, by the looks of it, the previous owners, literally, walked out of it after their last vacation, and never stepped foot in it for 2 years. There was empty Dippin Dots bowls, pamphlets from their trip, pop cans... just garbage everywhere. I don't mind that stuff, because I can bleach the snot out of it. But, the cushions and carpet are what's freaking me out. I can even steam clean the carpet, but I'm not sure how to clean the cushions. If I steam them, will it make it worse? Not getting all the solution out, or maybe they won't dry enough and the dampness will just attract more dirt and grime? Do I just find some cushion covers and ignore what might be lurking underneath? Maybe I'm overthinking it? I will definitely get a new mattress for the bedroom, but my kids will be sleeping on the cushions. I'm kind of thinking....ew. I don't have an issue with consignment/goodwill re-purposing of clothes and shoes- we shop there a lot. But, I am feeling a little grossed-out by what is on/in these cushions and fabric-type parts of the RV. Any good way to clean this thing??

Thanks !

Edit- I know, right? Shouldn't I have checked this thing out?? LOL! I saw pictures, but but left the decision up to my hubby. I was naive in thinking that he would have the same requirements for the inside.....he was more worried about tires, transmissions, engine....all the superficial stuff(ha ha). I guess I didn't really think about the depth of cleaning, until I saw it.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from Eau Claire on

Didn't you check it out before you bought it? I would definately buy a new mattress although we didn't and I love the one that's in there. We joke around about it every now and then because we know the people we bought it from but they're expensive. We took our futon cushion and used it for a mattress on the wider bed on the bottom bunk. Some times people just sell things cheap and don't worry about the mess if they're giving a good deal already. Don't know if that happened with you or not. Have fun in your camper. We've had wonderful times in ours and there's no place I'd rather go than up north in my camper!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Dayton on

We a bought a brand new camper about 5 years ago so we didn't have a problem with the cushions. However, 2 years ago my husband sat some meat down on the couch and forgot to put it in the freezer. We had a big, bloody, stinky mess! We took the cushion cover off and washed it in the washer. The camper place told us not to do this, but it worked fine. It cleaned the mess/smell and got rid of the stain. I do believe we hung it outside to dry though. As for the cushion, we soaped and washed it out as well and my husband wrapped it up in saran wrap. It does not smell either.

I am pretty sure that you could go to an RV place an order new cushions/covers also if you wanted to spend the money on it.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Our fabric store carries foam in different thicknesses. It can be used as new mattresses or cushions. I made slipcovers out of brightly printed bedsheets for our travel trailer. We had a convertable sofabed in there and I covered it with a fitted sheet and tucked the edges and middle in between the cushions.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

I would make new, however I steam clean my couch all the time and it's fine, just use as little cleaner as possible and dry it fast, like on a clothesline in the sun if it's really warm, or hang over a heat vent with a fan blowing on them as well. If they still seem grimy you can always make a plastic slip cover, then cover again with fabric, to really contain anything funky (and keep them from getting worse)

oh and I don't hand my couch on the clothesline, but it works for the cushions, lol

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Can you take the seats out, remove the old covers -- use them as a pattern and make new covers? Might need new cushion stuffing too -- but I'll bet you can make new covers -- if you live in Cincinnati you can take the cushions to Main Tent and Awning -- they make boat covers and cushions and awnings-- they're pretty inexpensive -- you could have them make the covers since they have heavy duty sewing machines and the right kind of fabric for car cushions.

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

How about making new cushions? Guess it depends on the type of cushion. If it is a removable cushion I would go to a craft store and by new padding and some fabric or slipcovers to put over it.

The carpet I would get a carpet cleaner and just spend hours cleaning it till the water is clear, then let it air dry. Open all the windows/doors to give it the best chance of airing out quickly.

Curtians, I would just get new ones.

Mattress, I would get a new one if possible.

Otherwise look into what it would cost to have a professional to come out and clean anything that is fabric... a lot of carpet cleaning places also clean furniture so they should be able to do cushions too :)

W.T.

answers from Detroit on

You should send your RV for a car detailing http://www.detailxperts.net/automobile_detailing service and most definitely it will come back a new, it will set you back some 100s but it is worth it. The RV will be cleaned inside out, most probably they will use steam cleaning for the seats, probably some industrial(expensive I mean) steam cleaner.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Yikes! I would call a professional for a steam cleaning and perhaps some of the cushions need to be replaced.

Blessings.....

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions