Returning Home From A Road Trip

PW Industries

November 7, 2024

By: Margaret Kosiba

Recommendation: Refer to your specific Pleasure-Way manuals for proper cleaning of your specific type of appliances and van model, inside and outside.

1. UNPACKING

The task of cleaning my Plateau TS after a 2-3 month awesome trip ranks lower on a favorability index when compared to actually experiencing the road trip or even planning and anticipating the trip! But the van must be cleaned, if for no other reason than to get ready for another trip!

Pet: Fellow traveler, Benji Boo, Norwegian Forest cat, loves being in the van, and prefers it to actually being in our land-based home. This requires special action. Upon arrival, I first explain to him we are home, emphasizing the word “H O M E,” which he understands! I tell him several times on the last day of the trip that we are going “H O M E!” Upon arrival, I ask him to wait until I gather his bed, blanket, special pillow, water and food bowls, and scratching post. Once those meaningful items are inside the home and in place, only THEN do I carry Benji Boo into our home. He understands he is living for a while wherever those special items are located. It is important to reduce stress for our pets on return day.

Refrigerator: Then, any remaining items from the freezer and refrigerator are returned to the home kitchen. If I have planned my trip well, there is hardly any remaining food to transfer, except condiments, etc. Towels are placed in both the refrigerator and freezer to catch any melting frost.
Bed linens, towels, anything cloth: Next, all cloth items are retrieved and dropped into the laundry room. Everything is washed, folded, placed into zipped containers, and then placed in my designated home RV closet, now ready for the next trip. I do not leave clothes or paper in the van when in storage.

Main closet: hanging clothing, computer, camera equipment, and art supplies.

Overhead bins: Everything is removed except the protective covers in each bin.

Benji’s food, toys, catnip, and other cat necessities.
· Dry food goods.
· Pet and human first aid kits, toiletries, medications, daily essentials.
· RV items not staying in the back bin (usually reserved for window covers, Reflectix, and other van things.
· Folded clothing, hiking gear.

Kitchen cabinets: All kitchen gear (induction pots, dishes, spices, etc. are returned to home kitchen. Everything dishwasher safe is cleaned and repacked for the next trip. Non duplicates are returned to the home kitchen.

Manuals, Files, Trip Plans: All RV documents are in 3 hard-bound binders. These are retained in the RV closet at home until each trip. Mercedes Benz manual, generator documents, etc., are returned to the RV closet. Medical files are also returned to home, always carried in updated format for each trip.

Bathroom: Everything is removed from the bathroom vanity and shelf.

2. HIGH CLEAN OF VAN INTERIOR

Now the detailed cleaning begins.

Refrigerator, freezer: Inside and outside

All shelves are removed and washed inside my home.
Wash the interior with a mild cleaner or solution of liquid dish detergent and warm water.
Rinse with a solution of baking soda and clean water; dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Exterior is cleaned with stainless steel wipes; use microfiber or soft cloth to remove all fingerprints.

Microwave: Wash interior with mild cleaner or solution of liquid dish detergent and warm water. Rinse with clean water, and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Sofa and ottoman cushions: Wet wipe all cushions with soft wet cloth and dry with soft microfiber cloth. Remove ottoman cushions, use vacuum cleaner and remove all debris that has lodged here. Use a vacuum cleaner to clear all vents in the RV along the floor under ottomans. Wipe edges clean with moist cloth.

Interior windows: Use vinegar-based spray to clean all interior windows; use a moist soft cloth to wipe all window ledges so they are dust free.

Overhead bins: Use soft moist cloth and wipe out all overhead bins and cabinet drawers, returning protective covers to each. Don’t forget the closet!

Bathroom

Vanity Mirror: Use vinegar spray to wipe clean; wipe shelves.
Commode: Use Scrub-It RV Toilet Bowl Cleaner to scrub; I do this before emptying black tank on the last day of travel before returning home.
Stainless sink: Use mild soap or non-abrasive cleaner.
Floor and shelf: Use soft moist cloth and gentle cleaner spray to clean the rest of the bathroom. I winterized my van, so it has antifreeze in the commode; see photo.]

Kitchen

Induction stove: Wipe off the glass ceramic plate and the plastic surface with a slightly damp cloth (microfiber works best). Dishwashing soap may be used when necessary. Do not allow water to seep under the device; no abrasive cleaners (metal pads); no oil-based liquids.
Corian Counters: Rinse with warm water; wipe dry with a soft cloth.
TV and Bose Speaker:
Clean surfaces with soft dry cloth.
No sprays, solvents, chemicals or cleaning solutions containing alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives should be used; no liquids that could spill into any openings.

Driver & Passenger Cab

Wet wipe dashboard with moist, soft cloth.

Wet wipe seat covers: use vacuum cleaner to remove debris from seat separation.

Floor

Use mild soap and warm water to wash the entire floor; rinse with clear water and soft cloth.
Repeat the above step at least once.
Use a vacuum cleaner to clean carpeted surfaces and to get under the sliding door area.
After high clean, the van looks fresh and new!

3. EXTERIOR WASH OF VAN

Front Grill: During trip and upon return home, and before external wash: Use “Bugs Off” eraser sponge and car wash soap and water to remove bugs. My Plateau TS has been Cilajet coated upon purchase, so I only use “Care Car Shampoo” by Cilajet.

Truck Car Wash: My recommendation for exterior wash is a reputable truck wash. Gravel and partially paved roads, whether traveling around lakes in Minnesota, gravel roads in Death Valley, or gravel roads in Glacier National Park make it mandatory to pressure wash the undercarriage. When it is difficult to remove the black and gray tank cover, it is time to wash the underside! See photos and videos for: