How To Clean RV Carpet Ceiling | 3 steps for a happy clean camper
*As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The price to you remains the same.
There are few things as fun and relaxing as setting out on a camping trip for the weekend. That relaxation is doubled when you have a cozy RV to lounge around in at the end of the day!
However, after a weekend away, you’ll need to clean your RV. And, from time to time, it is not unusual for ugly stains to start showing on your RV carpet ceiling – which is an awkward (against gravity) place to clean!
But for every problem, there’s a solution.
To clean an RV carpet ceiling, you’ll need to make a homemade paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide – a common bleaching agent present in some cleaning products. OxiClean’s main ingredient is dry hydrogen peroxide, so that is a good option.
Once you have the paste, gently work the solution into the ceiling before rinsing it off.
Why Is It Important to Clean a Carpeted RV Ceiling?
Table of Contents
Just like when you deep clean your car’s interior you need to make sure that you regularly clean all the surfaces in your RV. And, when an RV has a carpeted ceiling, you need to make wiping the ceiling down a part of your cleaning process.
The reason for that is that RV ceilings often develop water stains. If you see a water stain on your RV’s ceiling it’s a good sign that you’ve got a leak or a broken seal somewhere in the camper.
After you make any necessary repairs, the water stain will still be there. And, even though the stain won’t usually cause harm, it’s not pretty and can be an eyesore in your otherwise beautiful RV.
On top of that, the water stains can sometimes lead to mold and mildew growth. These can cause health risks, especially for individuals struggling with allergies and asthma.
What You Need to Clean an RV’s Carpeted Ceiling
Now that you know why it’s so important to clean your RV’s ceiling, it’s time to grab your gear. For this job, you’ll need:
- Your chosen carpet cleaner
- Sponges
- Warm water
- Old towels
- Vinegar
- A commercial carpet cleaning machine
It’s also not a bad idea to grab a pair of goggles.
Since you’re working on the ceiling, it’s almost a done deal that you’ll get a few drips on you. Wearing goggles helps protect your eyes from harsh chemicals.
How to Clean an RV Carpet Ceiling
With your supplies in hand, you can get to work. Here’s what you’ll need to do in order to clean your RV’s ceiling.
Step One: Pick Your Poison
Okay, well maybe not poison, but definitely cleaner!
You’ve got a couple of different options available when it comes to cleaner. A few that work well include:
- Spot Shot
- Oxyclean and water (1:1 ratio)
- ⅓ cup of hydrogen peroxide mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda
- Water and distilled white vinegar (1:1 ratio)
If that seems overwhelming, don’t panic. Let me break it down for you.
The best choice is to start using the gentlest cleaners on your ceiling and to work your way up to harsher cleaners as needed. For many stains, water and vinegar will be plenty to get the job done.
If you go through the paces and still have stains, you can try one of the harsher chemicals.
Step Two: Apply Cleaner to the Ceiling
If you’re using water and vinegar, you can immediately start spritzing the RV ceiling.
For those who are using a harsher chemical, however, it’s best to spot-test the cleaner. Pick an out-of-the-way corner of your RV and apply a little bit of cleaner to see if it causes discoloration.
You should be able to tell after a few minutes whether or not the stain remover is safe for your ceiling.
As long as your mixture is good to go, you’re ready to get to work.
Start by spritzing the RV ceiling with your chosen carpet cleaner. If you’re using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, you’ll have a paste instead of a liquid cleaner. You can simply spread this over the stains.
Regardless of which you choose, let the stain remover sit for at least an hour. This helps get deep into the fibres to remove the stains.
Step Three: Sponge the Ceiling
When you come back to the ceiling you’ll notice that whatever stain remover you used is dry.
Grab a dry towel and dab at the ceiling. Even though the ceiling appears dry, there may be moisture trapped deep within the carpet’s fibers. The towel will get this out.
After you finish getting the moisture out of your carpet (if there is any) it’s time to use a commercial carpet cleaning device on the ceiling. Make sure that you choose one with a hand tool.
Carefully go over the ceiling with the hand tool, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once you finish, open all the windows and doors to the RV. Leave the RV to dry for another hour or two before checking back to see if your ceiling is dry. If it is, you can close up your RV for your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Get Water Stains Out of a Carpeted Ceiling?
Commercial carpet cleaner works great for getting water stains and other stains out of your RV’s ceiling. However, you can also use a simple hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste if you want to stick to household remedies.
As long as you carefully apply the solution of your choice to the stains, you should be able to get them out of your RV’s ceiling.
Why Do RVs Have Carpet Ceilings?
RVs have carpeted ceilings because they help muffle noise on the road when you’re driving the vehicle. They’re also great for insulation!