If campground regulations prohibit you from completely washing and waxing the RV during your stay, there are a few things you can do to spot clean some problem areas.

Items you may find helpful to carry onboard for cleaning the exterior are two buckets, one-gallon pump sprayer, step ladder, hose with nozzle shut off, bug and tar remover, soft bristle brush with a plastic base, extendible silicone squeegee, soft cotton cleaning cloths, sponge mop, stiff broom and dustpan.

Before washing the exterior surface, assemble all the necessary tools and cleaning agents. Remove rings, watches and belt buckles to avoid scratching the surface. If you are going to access the roof, check shoe treads for rocks. Wash the surface only when it is away from direct sunlight to prevent streaking.

The front cap generally attracts the biggest amount of road grime while traveling. Bugs allowed to remain on the paint can cause pitting. Use a two-bucket method to clean the front cap: Fill one bucket halfway with warm water and a low-suds vehicle detergent. Fill the second bucket halfway with clear warm water. After each pass across the surface with detergent, rinse the mitt in clear water to remove grit that can scratch the surface. It may be necessary to soak the surface to soften build up for removal. Once the surface is clean, rinse away detergent using the one-gallon pump sprayer and remove excess water with the squeegee to prevent spotting. Clean windshield wipers by wiping the blades with a clean cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.

Dust and pine needles can build up on the roof and when combined with rain or high humidity, run down the sidewalls to create black streaks. While parked in a campground, sweep the surface and pick up debris using a dustpan to minimize debris that can create black streaks. Roof cleaner, available in spray form, can be used to wash the roof while in a campground. Using two buckets, one empty and one half full of clear water, spray a section of the roof, mop up dirt, rinse the mop in clear water and wring out excess water in the empty bucket.

Before using a waterless product to spot clean portions of the vehicle or wheel wells, carefully read the label and perform a spot test prior to full application. If you hire a portable RV wash service, or go through a truck wash, first confirm the detergents used and high-pressure hoses will be safe for your vehicle’s painted surface.

If your travels have you on the road for a lengthy amount of time, look for a campground that offer full vehicle washing privileges and spend a few days in that location giving the RV a through going over.