Eco-Friendly RVing

Eco-Friendly RV Cleaning and Maintenance for Nature Lovers

Canadians have increasingly embraced sustainability as a core value, with the recently published Global Sustainable Travel Report showing that 84% of Canadian travellers wish to travel in a more eco-friendly fashion. RV owners agree, largely because so many of them choose this mode of travel to get closer to nature, embracing activities such as kayaking, trekking, and abseiling. If you wouldn’t change the RV lifestyle for the world, there are many ways you can have fun and reduce your carbon footprint. Follow these tips to set an example for RV owners you meet along the way.

Opting for an Energy-Efficient RV

Studies show that Canadians who rented RVs took an estimated 612,000 trips in Canada, and that 2.1 RV owners took around 8.2 million RVs across the nation in just one year. If you are thinking of buying your very first RV or of exchanging the one you have for a newer model, know that these vehicles come in a wide range of materials and boast features that can help lower energy consumption at the cleaning and maintenance stage. For instance, some RVs come with solar power, high-efficiency appliance, and smart water systems. This means that when you need to clean your RV, you can waste much less water and energy than in the past.

Using Eco-Friendly Cleaning Methods and Products

If you are cleaning the interior of your RV with bleach, commercial grease busters, and spray-on surface cleaners, you could be releasing toxins into the air, thus harming your indoor air quality and contributing to pollution. Instead of using these products, opt for a lightweight vacuum system that uses pressurized steam to remove tough dirt, grease, and odours. Greener cleaning products like essential oils (Thieves in particular is a powerful clove-based oil known for its antibacterial properties) are effective yet non-toxic for surface cleaning. The tools and accessories you use while cleaning are also key. Opt for reusable rags and mops and biodegradable trash bags and reduce your reliance on plastics as much as possible.

Keeping Your Interiors Clean is a Daily Task

Don’t allow the interior of your RV to become overrun by mold, dander, and dust mites. Establish a strict cleaning schedule and include vacuuming and dusting in your plans, as well as regular deep cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom zones. Invest in a HEPA filter, which will trap tiny dirt particles that are invisible to the human eye.

Make Regular Check-Ups a Priority

Before leaving home, ensure your RV is updated with respect to oil and filter changes, air filters, etc. The better maintained your vehicle is, the less likely it is to expend more energy than is required. You can also reduce your fuel consumption by keeping tyres at the right pressure. According to a recent survey by Transport Canada, up to 50% of cars on the road have at least one tire that is 10% under- or over-inflated, and 10% of these are under-inflated by as much as 20%. When tires are not inflated to the right PSI rating, they lose their shape and require more energy to get going. Inflating your tires to less than their ideal capacity can lower mileage by 0.4 per cent for every drop in PSI pressure.

RVs offer a fantastic opportunity to get to know Canada’s most gorgeous natural sites. As is the case with all vehicles, big advances have been made in terms of eco-friendly RV manufacturing. Whether or not you are on the lookout for a new vehicle, there is plenty you can do right now to lower your carbon footprint. From cleaning more naturally to opting for solar power, you can help ensure that your favorite natural spots stay green, clean, and thriving.