Keeping your van clean is essential. It is therefore essential to know how to properly clean the inside of it in order to enjoy a clean living space throughout its journey. Indeed, by living on the roads, travelers will want to discover the landscape by taking walks, hikes or visits. Their van could therefore suffer some dirt, which requires regular maintenance.
Familiarize yourself with the layout of a van
To fit out your van, there are a few basic rules to follow. Indeed, the “ van life ” is not made for everyone, which then requires making certain suitable arrangements. Being able to familiarize yourself with each element of the vehicle is essential so that its use is practical during the trip. However, the familiarization stage depends on 2 situations.
The first corresponds to travelers who have rented a van for their road trip. Since it is a vehicle that does not belong to them, they therefore have no knowledge of the location of certain equipment or how it is used. Of course, the lessor will make sure to explain to them the important points concerning the van before letting them hit the road. But the renter will still have to discover for himself the different options provided by the van.
The second situation corresponds to travelers who will have fitted out the van themselves. In this case, they will automatically know where each element of the vehicle is. They just have to get used to it.
The importance of keeping a van clean
During a trip, the van is the place where travelers live. It will serve as their home during their entire stay, which makes its upkeep essential. Indeed, it is inconceivable to live in a dirty and unmaintained place since this could affect the health of the occupants and their comfort.
During a road trip, travelers will regularly go for walks or hikes. Dust and other dirt will then get inside the van. These will be deposited on the various equipment of the vehicle, making them unsanitary. Travelers must therefore ensure that they always clean the interior of their vehicle after each outing to avoid using utensils that potentially carry bacteria.
In the same context, it can happen that an unmaintained van becomes uncomfortable. Waste lying around everywhere, dishes not done, etc. all this will quickly become cumbersome and reduce the living space available in the vehicle. It would be wiser to always make sure to do some storage after each use to avoid ending up under a mountain of chores to do.
How to clean your van ?
Start with the main living space
When cleaning the van, it is recommended to always start with the main living space or “living room”. To do this, the first step is to ventilate the vehicle to get rid of any bad odors that it may have accumulated over time. Indeed, the van has just spent several weeks on the road, in winter, and it is now time to renew the interior air. This step will make it possible to clean up and maintain good hygiene in the living space. Since travelers are going to spend most of their time in this part of the van, it should be clean, healthy and comfortable.
To facilitate cleaning, do not hesitate to take out all bulky objects. It is essential to ensure that every corner of the living space is cleaned properly. Be careful to make sure to turn off the devices to prevent them from being damaged during the process. Equipping yourself with a vacuum cleaner can be wise to remove all the dust accumulated on the floor. To clean inaccessible places, it is possible to bring a microfiber cloth.
Continue with the other parts of the van
The van is considered a mobile home. As a result, it is usually equipped with the different rooms that are normally found in a house: bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc.
Cleaning the kitchen takes place in 3 steps:
- The refrigerator: which requires specific and meticulous maintenance. It must first be emptied and the door left ajar before wintering to prevent mold from forming. Cleaning is done with warm water and soap, or with a special disinfectant cleaner for refrigerators;
- The gas stove: which requires the use of the usual products used at home;
- Closets: which requires a few wipes with a damp cloth. It is also necessary to think about sorting and inventorying the products stored there.
As for the bathroom, it is a sensitive space that requires adequate intervention. It is advisable to use products specially designed for the maintenance of bathrooms and toilets. In particular, the toilet cassette must be cleaned with non-corrosive products, as this could affect their longevity. Chlorine is therefore not recommended. The outside of the cassette can be cleaned with a sponge and degreasing washing-up liquid.
Finish with the cleaning of the water tanks
The cleaning of the water tanks is to be carried out last since the tanks will accommodate all the products used during the previous operations.
For this step, it is possible to use white vinegar or bleach in small quantities. These are to be poured directly into the tank and it remains to mix them with a few liters of water to properly disinfect the walls. Once the tank has been cleaned, it remains to be rinsed and drained.
Once the van is completely clean, it’s now time to get back on the road. Camper vans, such as those offered on Van-it, are easy to maintain, which considerably reduces the time spent cleaning. Since 2008, we have offered you many very comfortable vehicles. They are fully equipped to accommodate and transport two to five people. They are equipped with all the necessary elements for your comfort.
The list of available vehicles is on the site. Do not hesitate to go see if you are planning a road trip. Indeed, our fitted vans will make your trip even more memorable. Discover here all our vans for rent. If you want more information, discover our tutorials and travel experiences already made on our YouTube channel.