RV windows let you see the world on your travels…well, unless yours are coated with grime, that is. Hey, it happens, especially if you’ve never cleaned the windows. Once you realize how easy it is, you won’t believe you let this job lapse for so long. How do you maintain RV windows?
Maintaining your motorhome windows requires the following:
- Use steel wool for the windshield
- Spray glass cleaner
- Choose a residue-free product
- Avoid abrasive products for vinyl and poly
- Clean the blinds and curtains
- Reseal the windows
This guide will explain everything you need to know so you can get your windows spic and span and enjoy a clear view of the world’s wonders.
Cleaning RV Windows – Get These Supplies Ready
Before you can get underway with the cleaning, you must have supplies at the ready. Here are the tools you need for a safe, efficient cleaning experience.
Ladder
Even if you have an itty-bitty teardrop trailer, you’ll probably struggle to reach a window or two. That’s certainly the case for RVs, and if you own a Class A? Forget about it!
Depending on the height of your motorhome, you’ll need anything from a stepladder to a tried-and-true ladder that extends several feet.
Please always use a spotter when climbing a ladder. They can hold the ladder steady and monitor you while you’re up there.
Duster
A duster helps you clean between the folds of your RV’s curtains or blinds. It’s a simple, inexpensive, efficient tool.
Extendable Wiper
How do you reach those inaccessible corners and crevices of the windows? You need an extendable wiper or squeegee.
I like the DocaPole, a telescoping extension pole that’s between six and 24 feet long. It can reach up to 30 feet outward and includes a squeegee and scrubber on the end.
Best of all, it’s handy indoors, so you can use it to clean your motorhome ceiling (or your ceiling at home!).
It compresses when not in use, so it doesn’t hog up much room in your vehicle, a must if you have a smaller RV.
Window Cleaner
You probably have a whole store shelf’s worth of cleaning and maintenance supplies for your motorhome, right? Well, there’s no need to add one more to the list, as you don’t need anything special to clean RV windows.
Windex or your glass cleaner of choice will get the job done just fine.
Window Sealer
The seals around your motorhome windows can weaken with time, which puts the windows at risk of shifting out of place.
Eazy2hD RV self-leaving lap sealant is designed for roofs but should work fine around window seals.
FYI, this product is white, so if your seals are any other color, it might look obvious you applied it. Alternatively, you can use a roll of butyl tape, but that looks even more obvious, in my humble opinion.
Microfiber Cloth
You do not want to scratch the glass of your RV windows when cleaning or other materials like plastic. A microfiber cloth will ensure a smooth, soft cleaning surface that isn’t too hard on your windows.
Steel Wool
You might wonder why in the world I would recommend steel wool, considering I just went on about the importance of avoiding window scratches. It’s a handy product for cleaning your windshield, as that glass is a lot tougher and more durable than window glass.
Determining What Your RV Windows Are Made Of
You’ve got your supplies ready, but before you jump in all gung-ho, you gotta know what your windows are made of.
That’s the only way to ensure you choose the right cleaning products that won’t scratch the windows.
Here is an overview of the types of windows you might encounter depending on your type of RV.
Flexible Vinyl or Plastic
Pop-up campers and other types of trailers typically use flexible vinyl or plastic windows. These soft, bendable windows can compress or expand depending on how the owner sets up the vehicle.
However, just because these windows are more flexible doesn’t mean they’re damage-proof. If anything, it’s easier to scratch flexible windows, especially if you use harsh and abrasive products or cleaning supplies.
Hard Plastic or Polycarbonate
If your RV windows aren’t made of glass, they’re hard plastic or polycarbonate.
The clarity level is about the same as glass, but the weight isn’t. Therefore, you’ll see these materials employed in larger or heavier motorhomes and trailers.
Polycarbonate is aerodynamic and shatter-resistant. Manufacturers often tint it to lessen glare and increase privacy. However, it too can be scratched up if you’re not careful about which supplies you select.
Glass
Your RV windshield is made of tempered glass, but what about the rest of the windows? This safety glass is ultra-durable and will shatter. That’s by design, as big, jagged shards could easily cut you and cause serious injury.
Glass is hardy but can’t handle steel wool, as that will leave scratches or gouges in it.
Cleaning RV Windows Step by Step
Okay, you’re ready to clean! Without further ado, here are the required steps to follow.
Step 1 – Clean the Windshield First
Get the steel wool curiosity out of your system by beginning with that part of the cleaning process.
The right type of steel wool is #0000, like this pad by Homax. Rub the steel wool on the corner of your windshield before you go whole-hog.
Do you see any scratches or other damage? Okay, then you’re good to go.
The proper way to clean using steel wool is to rub it circularly. Don’t apply any product on the steel wool; simply us it on its own.
Take your microfiber cloth and rub it over the areas where you used the wool, as some of the steel fibers could have been deposited on your windshield.
When you’re finished with that, wrap it up by using a glass cleaner on the windshield, then wiping it away with a clean microfiber cloth.
Step 2 – Clean the Curtains or Blinds
Next, follow up by dusting your blinds or curtains, giving them a thorough cleaning. You will breathe easier with less dust in your RV.
Step 3 – Clean Your Windows
Take your glass cleaner and spray it on the windows.
Glass cleaner should be a suitable product for all window types, but it works best on glass. Squirt a moderate amount but don’t overdo it.
Next, extend your squeegee to the required length to reach the window. Begin rubbing the window with the squeegee, ensuring it’s on the soft side and not a rough sponge side.
Glide the squeegee over the window until you don’t see any streaks of glass cleaner.
Step 4 – Dry the Windows
A microfiber cloth will efficiently dry your windows after they’re clean, bringing out that freshness and shine. Make sure you rub the microfiber cloth in one direction to prevent streaks from accumulating on the windows.
Step 5 – Reseal the Windows
As you’ve gotten up close and personal with your RV windows, you can gauge the strength of the seals pretty well.
Not all motorhome windows have seals, such as flexible plastic windows. Those are sewn into the rest of the canvas.
However, most RV windows use seals, and it’s for the longevity of your vehicle that you check them. Loose seals let in water when it rains, which could damage your motorhome. You’ll also get drafts from outside, leaving you uncomfortable.
Tips for Maintaining Your RV Windows
Check out these tips to keep your windows looking their best.
Don’t Clean Your Windows in the Sunlight
The warmth of a sunny day might tempt you to work on the exterior of your motorhome but think twice. That warmth can cause products to dry faster, possibly before you have time to remove the residue.
The result will be unpalatably streaky windows that you’ll have to clean all over again. Wait until an overcast day, but double-check that rain isn’t in the forecast. You don’t want the rainwater washing away all your hard work!
Choose Residue-Free Cleaning Products
Speaking of streaks, only work with residue-free products when cleaning your motorhome window.
The residue other cleaners can leave behind will not come off without a fight, which will leave you wrestling with your ladder and spending more time on this task than needed.
Go Gently
A slower, gentler, more methodical approach is the way to go when cleaning RV windows. You don’t want to be too heavy-handed, as you could scratch, weaken, or possibly even break the glass. Take your time when cleaning.
Know How to Treat Scratches
Got scratches? Not here! A mild abrasive polish can treat minor window scratches.
However, if the scratches don’t respond well to the polish, or if they’re deeper gouges, you should take your motorhome to a professional to get the windows fixed or replaced.
Cover Your RV When You Don’t Use It
A covered RV is a happy RV. Although it’s an extra step, throwing a cover on your vehicle prevents animal droppings, sap, and other messes from settling on the roof on windows.
Those are hard stains to remove, and you could damage the windows trying. It’s best to mitigate the issue by covering the windows (and the rest of your RV).
Bottom Line
There you have it, some very effective methods for restoring the luster and shine of RV windows.
It’s not that difficult of a process, and you don’t need many special supplies. Remember to take it slow, use the right products, and avoid sunny conditions when cleaning.