Please welcome today’s guest author Isabella Ramos, a freelance writer from New York, who loves travel, books, family, and is ‘a little’ addicted to coffee.
I went on my first camper holiday in 1995, and I haven’t looked back since. Back then, my husband and I used to bring our kids along, but they’ve since grown up and left home; one day we hope to have some grandchildren to join us on our trips instead! For now, we go away monthly in our trusty old companion that we’ve had for the past nine years. She has served us very well so we like to treat her with the same respect. This involves keeping her in good condition both inside and out.
If you are thinking of getting a camper, my tips might be helpful so you can keep it looking clean and comfortable for many years. Here are my top picks:
Keep Clutter to a Minimum
Your camper will fill up quickly if you bring too many bits and bobs inside. Over the years, I’ve learned that going minimalist will give you the most space, and fewer things to clean. Many people like bringing along personal knickknacks including ornaments and cushions, but I’d advise keeping these at home. When we’re in the camper, we only have things with us that we need and that seems to be a very practical solution.
Take Away Rubbish
Another thing you can do is to reduce the amount of rubbish you have lying around. We recycle our bottles and packaging on-site and make the journey to the bins a couple of times a day. If you let it build up, it feels like more effort to shift, and it also doesn’t smell very good in a confined space.
Avoid Bringing in Dirt
Our favorite campground is right next to the beach, so it’s hard to avoid bringing in the outdoors when we step inside. Our rule is to take off our shoes outside the front step – in the last couple of years we’ve also left a watering can out so we can sprinkle some water on our feet to shift the sand. By taking off our dirty shoes we also avoid bringing in harmful bacteria.
Use Cleaning Products
In order to get a proper clean, we make sure to use antibacterial products like Zoflora; this one is especially good for caravans and campers as it smells good and has a number of uses. We also use bleach and limescale remover in the bathroom. Try and get some multipurpose products so you don’t take up too much space in the cupboard.
Get Vacuuming or Mopping
You should also get rid of the debris from the floor of your camper. Depending on whether you have carpet or laminate, choose a small vacuum, like those on SpotlessVacuum.co.uk, or a mop. Think about where you’ll store this as you’ll need to get one that will fit in your available space. We have a Henry as it fits inside the cupboard more easily than an upright model. Try and do a quick once-over each day of your trip so dirt doesn’t build up too much.
As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!
