Static caravan cleaning revolves around two big jobs: a thorough close-down clean at the end of the season, so damp, mould and mice have nothing to feed on over winter, and an opening clean in spring to air the caravan out, check for problems and get it ready for use. Quick changeover cleans in between keep it fresh for you or your guests.
Caravans on the parks along the East Yorkshire coast, around Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea, face salt air and long, damp winters, so what you do at closing time makes a real difference to what you find in spring.
Always follow your park’s rules and your caravan’s handbook for draining down and winterising, and leave any gas, electrical or plumbing work to qualified people. This guide focuses on the cleaning.
Key takeaways
- Close down properly: remove all food, take soft items home, dry everything and leave doors and cupboards open.
- Open up in stages: air the caravan, inspect for damp, leaks and pests, then clean from top to bottom.
- Treat mouse droppings carefully by soaking them with disinfectant first; never sweep or hoover them dry.
- Condensation is the main enemy, so ventilation and drying matter as much as cleaning.
Why static caravans need a different cleaning approach
A static caravan is not just a small house. Thin walls, compact rooms and lots of glass mean condensation forms easily, and when the caravan sits closed for months that moisture has nowhere to go. Soft furnishings, mattresses and curtains absorb it and can develop mildew and musty smells.
Coastal sites add salt and sand. Salt film builds up on windows and metal fittings, and sand gets walked into carpets and shower trays. Our guide to cleaning a seaside property covers those problems in more depth.
If you let your caravan out, cleaning standards matter even more. Guests expect the same standard as any other holiday let, which is why many owners use a holiday let and caravan cleaning service for changeovers as well as season opening and closing.
Closing your static caravan for winter: cleaning checklist
A thorough close-down clean is the best protection you can give a caravan over winter. Anything left behind, from crumbs to a damp towel, becomes a problem by spring.
Kitchen
- Remove all food, including tins, jars and packets; anything left can attract pests or spoil, and liquids may freeze.
- Clean the oven, grill and hob so no grease is left to go rancid.
- Empty, defrost and clean the fridge and freezer, dry them, then wedge the doors open.
- Wipe inside every cupboard and drawer and leave them slightly open.
- Clean the sink and plughole, and empty the kitchen bin.
Bathroom
- Clean the toilet, shower, basin and tiles thoroughly.
- Dry the shower tray, screen and sealant to reduce the chance of mould over winter.
- Remove toiletries that could freeze or leak.
- Follow your park’s or manufacturer’s instructions for draining the water system and toilet.
Bedrooms and living area
- Take bedding, towels, pillows and duvets home to wash and store somewhere dry.
- Hoover mattresses, then stand them on their sides or prop them up so air can circulate.
- Hoover sofas, lift the seat cushions and stand them on end.
- Hoover carpets thoroughly, including under seating and beds where crumbs collect.
- Wipe windows and frames inside, drying any condensation.
- Leave internal doors, wardrobes and cupboards open to let air move.
- Place moisture traps in each room and check that vents are clear.
Tip: Take photos of every room on closing day. In spring you can compare them to spot new damp patches, water marks or damage quickly.
Opening your static caravan: spring cleaning checklist
Opening day is part inspection, part deep clean.
- Air it out. Open the windows and doors as soon as you arrive.
- Inspect. Look for damp patches, water stains, mould, droppings, gnaw marks and any leaks around windows and the roof.
- Get services reconnected. Have the water, gas and electrics put back into use by the park or a qualified engineer, as required.
- Run the taps. Once the water is back on, run every tap and the shower for a while to flush the system, and clean or descale the shower head.
- Clean top to bottom. Ceilings and light fittings, walls, window frames, surfaces and cupboards inside and out, then the floors.
- Kitchen and bathroom. Wash everything left over winter, including crockery and pans, and wipe out the fridge again before switching it on.
- Soft furnishings. Hoover mattresses, cushions and curtains, and have them cleaned if they smell musty.
- Windows inside and out. Winter storms leave a film of salt and grime on coastal caravans.
Dealing with damp, mould and condensation in a caravan
Some condensation in a closed caravan is normal. Mould is the sign it has gone too far.
- Wipe condensation off windows and frames with an absorbent cloth and wring it out outside.
- Treat mould on hard surfaces with a suitable mould remover, following the label, and ventilate while you work.
- Don’t just wipe mould off fabrics: wash removable covers, and have mattresses and fixed upholstery assessed if mould has taken hold.
- Keep vents clear all year and use a dehumidifier when the caravan has power and someone is there to empty it.
- Look for the cause, as persistent mould in one spot can point to a leak that needs repairing.
Many of the same principles apply in houses, and our guide to condensation, damp and black mould goes into more detail. This matters if you or your guests have asthma or allergies, as mould spores and dust mites thrive in damp soft furnishings.
Signs of mice and how to clean up safely
Closed caravans attract mice, especially if food was left behind. Look for small dark droppings, gnawed packaging or cables and shredded paper.
- Ventilate the caravan before you start and wear disposable gloves.
- Don’t sweep or hoover dry droppings, as this can spread contaminated dust into the air.
- Spray droppings and nesting material with disinfectant and leave it to soak in for a few minutes.
- Wipe up with paper towels, seal everything in a bag and dispose of it.
- Disinfect the whole area, then wash any affected fabrics on a hot wash.
- If you see signs of an active infestation, contact the park or a pest control professional before cleaning.
Static caravan cleaning at a glance
| Area | Closing (end of season) | Opening (start of season) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Remove all food, clean the oven and hob, defrost the fridge and prop it open | Wash crockery and pans, wipe out cupboards and the fridge, clean all surfaces |
| Bathroom | Clean and dry thoroughly, remove toiletries, drain down as instructed | Flush taps and shower, descale the shower head, clean all sanitaryware |
| Bedrooms | Take linen home, stand mattresses on edge, open wardrobes | Check for damp and mould, hoover mattresses, make up beds with fresh linen |
| Living area | Hoover thoroughly, stand cushions on end, add moisture traps | Hoover carpets and upholstery, wipe surfaces, refresh soft furnishings |
| Windows and vents | Dry condensation, check vents are clear | Clean inside and out, check seals for leaks |
Keeping your caravan clean through the season
Once the caravan is open, regular changeovers keep it in good shape. If you let it out, the same principles apply as for any holiday let, and our holiday let changeover checklist works well in a caravan with a few tweaks for the smaller space. Our tips on holiday let linen and laundry help if there is no washing machine on site.
Chemical fumes build up quickly in a small space, so gentler, eco-friendly cleaning products are a sensible choice for everyday changeovers.
Static caravan cleaning on the East Yorkshire coast
Our team can handle season opening and closing cleans for you, along with changeovers through the season, as part of our holiday let and caravan cleaning. We can also arrange a deep clean at the start of the season, or carpet and upholstery cleaning using hot water extraction if soft furnishings need more than a hoover. Key holding is available if you can’t be there to let us in.
Let us know where your caravan is and what you need through our contact page, and we will give you a fixed quote.
