We're just getting into RV life in a Class A with plans to be full-time in 5-7 years (depends on how long the teens take to be on their own once they graduate HS!). I am looking for some good suggestions in keeping the RV clean. First & foremost, I am interested to know what kind of vacuum would be best for the RV. I know to watch for extra weight and space, but the tiny vacuum I bought for this past summer did not keep up with the dirt that came in (no matter how many times I remind everyone to take their shoes off, they don't remember).Also, how often do you find it necessary to actually clean windows, fridge, and the like? Thanks in advance for any advice!BTW: We camped in a pop up for a few years and then moved to a TT & got the Class A last summer, so adjusting to space isn't an issue for me (I've already started downsizing in preparation for full-timing!).

We have a Shark upright vacuum on board that converts to a canister vac if needed. We also have small wet/dry vac that's handy for liquid spills and a cordless hand vac for quick cleanups.

We use throw rugs we can shake out or wash as needed.

I have a dirt devil with the cyclone action. It has brushes and is great getting both dirt and pet hair. No bags to change, just dump the cylinder when done. Entire thing is about 20" wide (not a stick vac) and I found it at Target for less than $50. I've been using it for 2 yrs and it's still doing the job.

Taylynn wrote:We're just getting into RV life in a Class A with plans to be full-time in 5-7 years (depends on how long the teens take to be on their own once they graduate HS!). I am looking for some good suggestions in keeping the RV clean. First & foremost, I am interested to know what kind of vacuum would be best for the RV. I know to watch for extra weight and space, but the tiny vacuum I bought for this past summer did not keep up with the dirt that came in (no matter how many times I remind everyone to take their shoes off, they don't remember).Also, how often do you find it necessary to actually clean windows, fridge, and the like? Thanks in advance for any advice!BTW: We camped in a pop up for a few years and then moved to a TT & got the Class A last summer, so adjusting to space isn't an issue for me (I've already started downsizing in preparation for full-timing!).we had carried a 12-amp Dirt Devil upright up until last fall when we had a built-in Dirt Devil installed in the new MH.

We have a Dyson Pet (we do not have a pet) and it fits nicely in the wardrobe closet. We also have a small shop vac for outside stuff like vacuuming the truck, etc. Clean the fridge when it is dirty. We are fulltimers and I clean the fridge and defrost the freezer about once a quarter and spot clean when needed. I wax the wood cabinets every quarter and shampoo the carpet a couple times a year. We like our RV to be neat so everything has a place and everything is out in the proper place. Works for us.

Staying Clean | Good Sam Community

Sinio
Explorer
Feb 09, 2017
We have this Hoover Linx BH50010 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. By far, this is the best vacuum cleaner that we've owned. It cleans well - on/off brushroll for bare floors or area rugs/carpeting. Also excellent cleaning on pet hair. Very easy to use because of control on handle. The dust cup is very easy to empty & clean (including baffle tube when necessary). Highly recommended!
RVER
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
SHARK Navigator Freestyle It is light, it is cordless with a small recharging piece that does require 120v electric but this until is thin and weighs little!! ITs suction is amazing, I use mine in my house as the main vacuum cleaner if you can believe that. It does a GREAT job!! HIGHLY recommend. I do not work for them or know anyone who does but they are a great unit.
dcmac214
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
We got a DeWalt corded/cordless from their 20Vmax series plus an accessory kit thru Amazon. Vacuum itself is about the size of a big shoe box and has plenty of power for what we want. It all easily fits in one tote sack the size of the paper sacks grocery stores used to use.
In the bathroom, kitchen and at the doors we lay older towels like throw rugs. Easy to shake out, easy to wash, much better for our purposes than "real" rugs.
Shearwater
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
We have a Dyson - it works fine.
Taylynn
Explorer
Feb 01, 2017
Thanks, everyone, for the tips! I am certainly going to implement more than 1 of them once we get set up to start heading out this Spring again!
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2017
When I went full time I bought a bunch of different vacuums. All where junk and didn't pick up anything.

What I found out is the most important feature on a vacuum is how many AMPS it has.

AND half of the more popular ones do NOT put the amps on the outside of the packaging for you to see. Because they do NOT want you to know that a smaller less expensive vac will actually have more amps i.e. 'more power'. The only way you find out is 'after' you buy it and open the box.

I got so ticked off I went to Walmart. Got the store manager and told him I was going to open the box of a vac right on the floor in the store to see home many amps a vacuum had. Seeing as I would be returning it anyway if the amps were too low.

You would be shocked just how low of amps these big popular vacuum cleaners have. There is one that has the exact same low amps as one of those cheapo stick vacs!

Out of all the vacuums in two aisles of Walmart. The Eureka canister model had the highest amp rating. Sucks up dirt, dog hair and Florida sugar sand like crazy.:

Soo check the amps before you buy! :W
ctpres
Explorer
Feb 01, 2017
Yup! NO SHOES inside - period.
jwolf55
Explorer
Feb 01, 2017
Our coach has a Dirt Devil RV2000 central vacuum mounted in the basement,
It is OK, but it is easy to stop the brush on the thick carpet. I think the hose and head takes up about as much space as small stand alone vacuum.
dewey02
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2017
Veebyes wrote:
Half the battle is keeping the dirt on the outside.
X3.

It may sound anal-retentive to some, but we are adamant about not letting the dirt get inside. We don't like the feel of going to the bathroom in the middle of the night and coming back to bed with grit on your feet and it getting onto the sheets or having to brush it off before climbing back into bed. We do not camp with pets, so no hair or dirty paws to worry about.

We have a 9x12 RV mat that goes outside the RV.
On top of that, right before the steps, we have a rough, bristly welcome mat that the shoes get rubbed on. Then we have good strong ribbed carpet mats that cover each of the two stairs. Immediately inside the trailer, we have another mat. This is where all shoes get taken off and put on a tray near the door. We both have Merrills so they are easy to slip on and off.

We sweep the dirt off the steps with a broom every couple of days and I take the welcome mat and give it a good shake or slap it against a tree every few days too. This goes a long way toward keeping most of the dirt out of the camper.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jan 29, 2017
RPreeb wrote:
No carpet for us, and I'm a big fan of a broom and dustpan, or just sweep it back out the door where it came from. Our TT is a camping trailer, so a certain amount of dirt is just part of the deal.

I agree, no carpet, but DOG HAIR just doesn't sweep well, clings to everything! :M Forcefully sucking it up with a vacuum does get rid of it. :B