Washing Your Airstream Motorhome

Your Airstream motorhome is designed to give you some of the best traveling experiences Airstream can offer. They’re comfortable, easy-to-use, and versatile, so no matter what you’ve got planned, you’ve got an RV that’ll help you make the most of every vacation. But you’ll probably want to drive around something you can be proud of, so you’ll want to take some time to wash it fairly regularly. The more you appreciate how it looks, the more you’ll want to use it. To help you stay organized, Airstream of Utah has provided some tips for washing your motorhome. You can also stop by our location in Salt Lake City for some of our staff’s personal tips. We proudly serve Park City, Provo, and Ogden.

Choosing the Right Equipment

First things first, check out your owner’s manual for specific instructions on your model. We’ll provide some general tips, but the most helpful information regarding maintenance and upkeep will always be found in your manual.

Before you get started, you’ll want to gather all your supplies so you’re not running around looking for things you need at the last minute. Your list of supplies should include: 

• Automotive shampoo, or other gentle detergents (not wash-n-wax products)
• Brushes and sponges of varying sizes (bonus points for a brush with a telescoping handle)
• Wax and polish (if necessary)
• Drying rags
• Bucket
• Freshwater access
• Ladder

Washing the Roof

Your basic washing strategy should be a top-down approach, so no dirty water runs over anything you just cleaned. This means starting with the roof. Remember that your roof takes a lot of flak from the elements, so you’ll want to keep it clean and cleared of all dirt and debris.

When accessing your roof, that ladder and brush with a telescoping handle might come in handy, at least to get some of the harder to reach places. Just be careful when doing so. Make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes with a good grip and ask someone to spot you in the event there’s an accident. Also, opt for moving the ladder instead of overextending your reach to reach a particular spot.

Washing Strategy

As we mentioned, you’ll want to start at the top and work your way down. This is true when approaching the sides of the coach as well. Wash in sections, so the soap suds don’t dry on too quickly and wash each section from top to bottom.

Awning

Your awning probably won’t need as much attention as the rest of your motorhome, but if you notice your awning is looking a little rough, there are fabric cleaners that can help you with that. Check your Owner/Operator Manual provided by the awning manufacturing company for more information.

Wheels and Rims

For a little extra shine, you can take a moment to address your wheels and rims. Knowing what kind of metal your rims are made out of can help you find the right kind of polish to make them shine. You can also get tire shine for that straight-off-the-lot, jet black look.

Detailing

Finally, a touch-up here and a touch-up there can go a long way. Periodically, you’ll want to wax your RV so the exterior can continue to defend itself against the elements. Polishing can be tricky, so you might want to ask about a professional if you don’t have experience. You might also want to clean your windows and anything else that needs a little sprucing up.

Now, you should have a beautiful Airstream motorhome, squeaky clean and ready to hit the road. If you still need the right RV to drive around, like the Airstream Interstate, stop by Airstream of Utah in Salt Lake City and we’ll show you what we have available right now. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Park City, Provo, and Ogden.