Nothing spoils a great RV trip faster than smelly socks or a stinky toilet. When you’re traveling, eating and sleeping with family and friends in a small space, an unpleasant stench can take over quickly. When you’re on a longer trip, odors can really add up.
But odors don’t have to derail your adventure. Whether you’re traveling in a brand new or pre-owned camper, to keep your vehicle smelling like roses, here are some housekeeping tips and tools.
Bring in the baking soda
Good old baking soda is the Swiss Army knife of cleaners. The chemicals in baking soda can neutralize almost any odor. You can sprinkle it on mattresses, blankets and carpets to remove musty smells. Keep a box in the fridge to absorb unpleasant food smells. Mix it with white vinegar to clean and deodorize toilets, sinks, drains and washing machines.
Keep your fridge tidy
In small spaces like RVs, food smells can be powerful. If you clean out your fridge daily, it will prevent old food from turning moldy or rancid. Once a week, empty out everything and wipe the inside down with a food-safe cleaner or a mix of water, baking soda and a few drops of dishwashing soap.
Store your dirty clothes properly
You probably use an open hamper for dirty clothes at home, but think twice in an RV. After a day enjoying the great outdoors, your clothes get sweaty and smelly. To keep odors at bay, store used clothes and linens in a bin with a tight-fitting lid. On laundry day, wipe out the bin with a disinfecting wipe and let it air out.
Invest in a small dehumidifier
RVs are notorious for getting musty and damp, which breeds unpleasant smells. You can combat the elements with a small dehumidifier, which sucks up moisture, releases water into a small bucket, and pumps out drier air. Just remember to empty the water daily so it doesn’t go stale.
Clean your black water
One of the surest ways to keep your RV smelling fresh is properly maintaining your black water tank. The less you have in the black water tank, the fewer issues you’ll have with odors. On longer trips, dump your tank at least every three days or when it is two-thirds full.
Let the fresh air in
The easiest way to combat odors is let fresh air circulate throughout the vehicle. When you’re parked at a campground in good weather, open the doors and windows. Turn on fans to circulate the air. That helps release odors and dry out your space. If your RV has been parked idle for a while, be sure to air it out before you leave town.
At RV Dynasty, we’re happy to share more tips for keeping your RV smelling like new. Visit our location at 10001 US-31 in Bunker Hill to see our full selection of new and pre-owned RVs and recreational vehicles.
