#13 Winter care for your caravan

Interior actions

• Vacuum clean and wash down your caravan’s interior throughout. As well as getting

  

  everything clean, it’s a great way of checking you don’t leave anything untoward in a cupboard or seat base. Creating best possible air circulation is the key to keeping your interior damp free.
• Cleaning the kitchen thoroughly should prevent any mould appearing here, although for the fridge it is also essential to leave the door ajar – there is usually a special catch provided for this purpose. Use products designed for caravan use, rather than normal domestic cleaning fluids, as these may cause damage to surfaces and seals in a caravan.
• Cushions are best left standing 

  

  upright away from the caravan walls after vacuuming. This helps aid air circulation and prevents mildew occurring, especially in units with solid ply bed bases (as opposed to slats).  A further measure to keep upholstery in top condition is to cover with a breathable material such as old cotton sheets to keep the dust off. Ideally if you have room, store cushions at home in the warm, which is also a deterrent against caravan theft.
• Fixed beds are best left in the open position, this aids air circulation. Consider using a temporay support to remove the bed weight from gas struts.
• For blinds with any kind of spring mechanism, it’s best to leave them open, otherwise the springs are gradually stretched over a period of time and subsequently fail to work efficiently. Consider making cardboard screens for each window.
• Leaving locker and wardrobe doors open optimises ventilation.
• Make sure all rooflights and windows are fully closed.
• Lightly coat hinges with thin oil or water dispersant such as WD-40 to protect against rust, taking care to avoid contact with door surfaces.