Aaahhh … smell the fresh summer air that surrounds you in the great outdoors. You’ve left behind the smog and pollution of the big city and have stepped into one of the few places left that is relatively untouched by harmful pollutants. You can truly breathe it all in! Now don’t you wish the air inside your RV was as clean and fresh smelling as the great outdoors? Unfortunately, RVs trap dirt and odors from everyday living. Add to it pets, allergens, and moisture and you have yourself some stale, unhealthy air lingering in your RV. The good news is that you can do something about it! So you don’t find yourself sticking your head out your windows or door for fresh air, follow these tips for improving air quality in your RV.
Tips for Improving Air Quality in Your RV
Breathe it in: Open your RV windows as much as possible to freshen up the inside of your RV. Also, run your A/C to remove moisture from the air. Most air pollutants are water-soluble and running the AC removes them.
Remove moisture: Hang a DampRid Hanging Moisture Absorber in your RV to collect moisture. Your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen areas are a great place to use one of these. This works to remove moisture buildup and reduces the possibility of your RV developing a mold or mildew problem.
Reduce condensation: When there is a difference in temperature between the outside of the RV and the inside, condensation builds up inside the RV. Place a wicking, anti-moisture layer under your mattress to increase airflow and keep moisture at bay.
Cleaning and vacuuming: Cleaning and vacuuming the interior of your RV goes a long way toward improving the quality of your RV’s air. How often you need to clean depends on how many people (and animals!) call your RV home. The compact Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum is perfect for the job. It’s bagless and it also has a HEPA filter that traps the dirt until you’re ready to empty it.
Air purifier: Air purifiers are great for home use, but many of them are too large for use inside an RV. However the GT50 Air Purifier is small enough for an RV and works great!
ADMS Anti-Allergen Spray: Spray this anti-allergen on your RV’s cloth furniture, bed, or anywhere else your furry friends like to rest to help cut down on pet dander and dust.
Add plants to your RV: Add a houseplant to your RV to help improve the air quality. Any plant will do! When you’re ready to hit the road, secure the plants so that they don’t tip over and spill.
Refrigerator fan: Your refrigerator can be a cold box of smelly, unclean air if it isn’t cleaned and aired out occasionally. A refrigerator fan helps circulate the air inside the unit which also helps to keep the food inside fresher for longer.
Exhaust fan: Use your Fan-Tastic Fan to help rid your RV of smells and pollutants so the air inside your RV is more pleasing! The fan works to push stale, stuffy, smelly air out and pull in fresh, natural, clean air in! You enjoyed your delicious trout dinner, but you don’t want to be smelling it in your bedroom 5 hours later!
Bathe and groom your pet: If you’re like me and you like to bring your four-legged friend with you on the road, you’ll probably need to stay on top of grooming and bathing them to help keep your RV clean. Pet dander and fur will inevitably end up everywhere (just like at home!), and since your RV is a much smaller living area than your home, the effects of the dander and fur will be greater. Bathe them weekly if possible and groom them once a month to keep their fur short and manageable. Shorter fur also means less fur for dirt and insects to stick to and be brought inside the RV. Leave nature outside, where it belongs!
Extra-O Ionizer: Reduce harmful viruses, bacteria, and unpleasant smells in your RV by using the Extra-O Ionizer. Charge it in your truck when driving and then plug it in inside your RV for cleaner, fresher air.
Pull the carpet: If possible, remove all the carpet in your RV. Not only does carpet trap dust, dirt, allergens, and more, but the chemicals involved in making carpet, pads, and adhesives are harmful to your health. For warmth underfoot, use accent rugs instead. Rugs are a cinch to clean. Just roll them up, step outside, and shake them off. Do this daily to help keep the air as clean as possible.
Forgo fabric upholstery: Leather, leather-like, and vinyl upholstery are much easier to clean than fabric upholstery. Fabric tends to attract and hold onto dust, dirt, liquids, food, and more. If you’re purchasing a new RV, choose one without fabric upholstery if possible. If you already have an RV with fabric-covered furniture, reupholster them if possible so they’re easier to clean and keep clean.
Clean and replace filters: Air filters do a great job of ridding the air of impurities. But they only work well if they’re in good condition. Clean your air filters when needed and replace them when they’re filled up. Keep a log or mark on your calendar of when you check and replace your filter(s) so it’s not overlooked.
Air (not so!) fresheners: While air fresheners release lovely scents, like Hawaiian Breeze or Fresh Laundry, they also release harmful chemicals that can be bad for your respiratory health. So ditch the plug ins and opt for a more natural way to make your RV smell good. Invest in a diffuser and let the scent of essential oils fill your RV’s living space. These not only smell great, but most oils have beneficial and healing properties, such as improving your mental well-being or aiding in digestion.
Remove your shoes: Leave those dirty and smelly shoes outside! Always take your shoes off before walking up into your RV to keep dirt, debris, and pollutants in the great outdoors, where they belong! Invest in a door mat that traps dirt so that if you should happen to step inside with your shoes on (eek!), hopefully most of the dirt is left behind in the mat.
