01422 396 769 
quoteWant to keep your leisure vehicle’s exterior in tip-top condition? There are plenty of products out there that can help make the work a whole lot easier.
A clean getaway
It’s not just about keeping up appearances. A properly cleaned and polished caravan or motorhome will actually keep the dirt at bay for longer – preventing any possible damage from prolonged contact with road dirt, tree sap, bugs and more.
Here’s our guide to some of the key caravan and motorhome cleaning products out there.
See also our videos on cleaning your motorhome, how to clean your caravan, tips for cleaning your caravan roof and how to clean a motorhome roof.
We also have a guide to cleaning your motorhome and a caravan cleaning guide.
Top caravan and motorhome cleaner tips
- Always double-check that a motorhome or caravan cleaning product is suitable for use on your particular vehicle.
- Look out, also, for even more specialist products, such as caravan cleaners for acrylic windows, alloy wheels etc.
- Be wary of using a pressure washer on your leisure vehicle. They can prove too powerful for some of the more delicate areas (including graphics) of a typical caravan or motorhome body.
- If you’re cleaning higher sections, including roofs, it’s far safer to work from a platform rather than relying on a ladder.
- Finally, if you’d still rather someone else did your motorhome or caravan cleaning work for you, use a specialist valeter with a track record in leisure vehicles. It might seem more expensive, but it can be worth it in the long run, not least with improved resale values.
Star Player #1
Autoglym Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner
Now available in 2.5-litre sizes, along with several other products from Autoglym’s extensive cleaning range – All Purpose Cleaner, Magma and Rapid Aqua Wax. All can be used with Autoglym’s Easy Sprayer, a hand pump that lets you apply a uniform, continuous spray – which is particularly useful given the larger surface areas of a typical caravan or motorhome. It comes with two nozzles – “Fan” for wide applications and “Cone” for intricate areas. Typical cost for this is £25.
The Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner is formulated for use on paintwork, plastics, metals, rubber, acrylics, fibreglass, wheels, windows and body trim. It’s also designed for interior work surfaces, synthetic fabrics, carpets, hobs, washable wall coverings and plenty more.
It will also remove algae and black streaks on plastic and composite panels. Autoglym says it can also be used, more sparingly, on wind-out awnings, although its Convertible Soft Top Clean & Protect Complete Kit might be a better alternative for the latter.
Key features All-in-one solution, cost-effective 2.5-litre size, full range of automotive quality cleaning products
Expect to pay £26.99
*WIN: We have a bundle of Autoglym products up for grabs. Click here to enter our new giveaway.
Star Player #2
DrySparkle Caravan/Motorhome Exterior Cleaner
An eco-friendly cleaner that doesn’t need water – it simply sprays on and wipes off.
The full kit here includes a 300ml bottle with trigger, a same size refill bottle and two microfibre cloths – blue to wipe off dirt and grime from the sprayed area, green for buffing to a shine.
The company says this is sufficient for three to four 5.5m long caravans or motorhomes
Key features Biodegradable solution, easy cleaning process, from a full range of no-water cleaning products
Expect to pay £24.50
Star Player #3
Protex Caravan & Motorhome Ceramic Shampoo & Spray Advanced Complete Kit
The name might be a bit of a mouthful, but there’s everything here to give a professional finish to your caravan or motorhome – not only for cleaning but also leaving a layer of protection in the form of a ceramic coating.
The kit starts with one litre of Ceramic Shampoo. A typical solution is four capfuls per 12 litres of warm water and it’s suitable for use on metal, plastics, rubber, GRP etc, with application using the supplied mitt, sponge or brush – or all three.
The next key stage of the process is applying the Ceramic Spray lightly, using the microfibre cloth to wipe off any excess.
Protex says this can give up to six months of protection.
Key features One litre Ceramic Shampoo, 750ml Ceramic Spray, supplied with brush, sponge, wash mitt and microfibre cloth
Expect to pay £39.98
Star Player #4
Fenwick’s Bobby Dazzler
A highly regarded specialist in the caravan and motorhome cleaning sector, the Fenwick’s portfolio includes this – a rinse-off agent that alleviates all the hard work involved in applying a typical polish. Instead, it acts as a layer that protects from rainwater, road spray, algae and other dirt.
Highly concentrated, you simply add a capful of Bobby Dazzler to five litres of cold, clean water, then apply using a spray, sponge or soft brush.
Fenwick’s also recommends using a microfibre cloth in hard water areas or on warm/windy days.
It can be used on aluminium or GRP, ABS and other plastics, as well as decals, sealants, and more.
Key features Hydrophobic protective surface coating, one-litre container, silicone-free
Expect to pay £14.50
Star Player #5
Silky Cream Cleaner
Here’s a product that can boast a pedigree of some 40-plus years. It’s a non-abrasive, non-scratching cream that’s suitable for GRP, acrylic surfaces and more. Use it to clean up any dirt, algae or grime or in the nooks and crannies around windows and locker doors. It can be used to get rid of black streaks on caravan panels.
You simply dab it on and agitate with a small paintbrush – the brush is far more effective than a cloth for getting into otherwise inaccessible areas. It can also be used with products like Silky’s pH neutral Enviro Wash.
The price below is for a 480ml tub.
Key features Long-proven formula, anti-static, virtually unchanged in over 40 years
Expect to pay £7.49
Star Player #6
Pro-Kleen Caravan and Motorhome Black Streak Remover
Safe to use on all caravans and motorhomes, this black streak remover from Pro-Kleen’s cleaning range will get rid of those unsightly black marks from the side of your ‘van, as well as stains, algae, and more.
Its concentrated formula is ready to use with no need to dilute with water. Spray it onto the dirty area, leave for a couple of minutes, agitate with a soft brush or sponge and then rinse.
Other cleaning products from Pro-Kleen include their Caravan and Motorhome Cleaner and Over Winter Exterior Protector, in 2L bottles.
Key features Concentrated formula, available in 5L bottles or trigger sprays
Expect to pay £10.95
Star Player #7
That Leisure Shop Citrus Bug Remover
It’s always worth trying specialist products like this – formulated specifically for removing any bugs that happen to get splattered on your vehicle, although it can also be used to wipe away other stubborn dirt and grime.
It leaves a sparkling finish and also has a particularly pleasant citrus smell.
From a full range of bright and colourful – more importantly, environmentally-friendly – cleaners from That Leisure Shop, which also includes Luxury Body Shampoo, Window & Glass Cleaner, Black Streak Remover, and more.
Key features Easy to apply spray bottle, UK-made, citrus formula, 500ml container
Expect to pay £9.99
Star Player #8
OlPro Dub Scrub & Wax
This sits alongside Wash & Wax Caravan and RV variants – although you can also order any of these without the wax constituent.
Expect to get 25 applications from each one-litre plastic bottle, which includes a dosage measurer. Add it to hot water, making sure the liquid is suitably mixed, and apply using a cloth or sponge before rinsing off with clean water.
It will clean all exteriors, with this versions specially formulated for campervans and van conversions, operating on paintwork and plastics, also rubber, acrylics, GRP, steel or alloy wheels, and more.
Key features One-litre container, orange fragrance, for year-round use
Expect to pay £5.50
Star Player #9
Halfords Advanced Snow Foam
A foaming pre-wash product that Halfords says is suitable for all exteriors and safe to use over waxes and sealants.
Applied when the vehicle is cool and out of direct sunlight, its action captures surface dirt to prevent marring and small scratching that can occur during a typical washing process. Application is via a separate lance (sold separately).
From a full range of its own-brand cleaning products under the Advanced name, Halfords says its Ceramic Foam Sealant and Reactive Wheel Cleaner are ideal complements to the Advanced Snow Foam.
Key features 2.5-lite container, pH neutral formula with biodegradable detergents, citrus fragrance
Expect to pay £13
Star Player #10
LeisureTime WASH 3-in-1 Cleaner
Designed for all automotive exteriors, this biodegradable formula includes carnauba wax and an anti-static agent to deter dirt after application.
Each one-litre container should suffice for up to 25 washes.
Typically applied by hosing down your vehicle then applying the wash (40ml of solution per 10 litres of warm water) by sponge or a suitable brush, then leaving for five minutes. It can also be applied neat to any particularly stubborn marks – including black streaks, algae etc – before washing off with clean, warm water.
Key features UK-made, built-in water softener
Expect to pay £12.25
Over to you…
Got any advice on motorhome or caravan cleaning products to pass on to other owners? Feel free to add your comments below.
I use Jennychem caravan cleaner all the time. I jet wash and clean static caravans for a living.
Very informative and a good selection of products
Did you test Jenny chem caravan cleaner?
Sorry no