What this guide covers: How to clean a caravan or motorhome exterior safely — including the right pressure and products for GRP roofs and sides, how to clean aluminium composite panels without forcing water into the structure, and why acrylic windows must always be cleaned by hand.
Caravans and motorhomes sit outside for months at a time, often under trees, in fields, or on exposed storage sites where biological growth establishes quickly on the roof and sides. By the time the season ends or a spring clean comes around, most caravans have significant algae and moss on the GRP roof, green streaks on the sides from roof run-off, and oxidised or chalky panels from UV exposure.
What surface are you cleaning?
GRP roofs and sides — low to medium pressure at safe distance with a dedicated caravan or GRP cleaner; high pressure on oxidised GRP removes the surface layer and accelerates deterioration. Never walk on a roof not rated to take weight. Aluminium composite panel sides — tolerant of gentle pressure washing; sustained high pressure into sealant around windows, vents and panel joins can force water into the interior structure. Acrylic windows — never use a pressure washer nozzle close to an acrylic window; clean by hand with a dedicated acrylic cleaner and microfibre cloth.
What you need
- Pressure washer — V-TUF V3 at 150 bar — sufficient to clean, manageable enough not to damage at correct distance
- Telescopic lance extension — for roof cleaning without walking on the surface
- Dedicated caravan or GRP cleaner — not standard car shampoo which can leave residue on GRP
- GRP or caravan sealant wax — to protect the exterior after cleaning
- Microfibre cloth and acrylic cleaner — for windows, by hand only
Step-by-step cleaning
- Rinse the whole exterior top to bottom with plain water to remove loose debris
- Apply caravan or GRP cleaner to the roof and sides — allow dwell time as specified on the product
- Rinse from the roof downward, top to bottom
- For stubborn green streaks, a second application of cleaner on those areas is more effective than increasing pressure
- Clean acrylic windows by hand after the main wash — never with the pressure washer
- Apply GRP sealant wax to the cleaned exterior
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