Eliminating Unpleasant Odors From Your Camper: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're an RV owner, you're probably familiar with that unpleasant musty smell. This is often caused by moisture and humidity, which can lead to mould and mildew growth. To get rid of the smell, you'll need to identify and fix the source, such as leaks or dirty upholstery. Increasing ventilation, using natural odour absorbers, and cleaning and drying fabrics can also help. For more severe cases, you may need to use mould and mildew removers or seek professional cleaning services.

Identify the source of the smell

To get rid of a smell in a camper, the first step is always to identify what's causing it. Musty smells can develop for all sorts of reasons. It could be a new water leak, past water damage, or simply that the camper has been closed up for several months.

Moisture and Humidity

Moisture can seep into the camper through leaks, condensation, or wet camping gear, leading to the growth of mould and mildew. Inspect your camper for any signs of leaks and repair them promptly. Look for any signs of water stains, discolouration, or soft spots on the walls, ceilings, and floors. Pay close attention to areas around windows, doors, vents, and seams. Check the seals and caulking around openings for any cracks, gaps, or deterioration.

Dirty Upholstery and Carpets

Dust, dirt, and spills can accumulate on upholstery and carpets, providing a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. Regularly vacuum and clean upholstery and carpets to remove dust, dirt, and food particles. If possible, remove and wash removable covers and cushions.

The Refrigerator

The camper's refrigerator can be the source of odours, whether due to old food or simply mustiness from not being used for a while. Deep clean the refrigerator and leave it open until it dries fully. Keeping a box of baking soda in the refrigerator helps minimise food odours. When the camper isn't in use and the fridge is shut off, leave the door slightly ajar to let moisture and odours out.

The Holding Tank

If you use the toilet in your camper, you could face stinky holding tank smells. Always keep a little water in the black water tank, enough to cover the bottom, to prevent smells from solid wastes. Holding tank chemicals used to break down waste can also reduce smells. Empty and rinse out your black water tank regularly. Deep clean your holding tanks at least a few times per year to keep it smelling better.

The Gray Water Tank

The gray water tank, which holds water from sinks and showers, can also get stinky if not cleaned. Pour in a cup of cleaning product plus enough water to mostly fill the tank, then drive the camper around to splash the water around inside the tank. After a day or two, drain and rinse out the tank. Avoid using bleach, as it can damage the valves and seals.

The Kitchen and Bathroom Drains

The kitchen and bathroom drains can get smelly, especially if you haven't used them in a while. Clean your drains with baking soda and vinegar. Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar to create a fizzing reaction that clears out the gunk. Run water down the drain to rinse when you're done.

Fix the source of the smell

Once you've identified the source of the smell, it's time to fix the problem so that the smell won't keep coming back. This step will depend on the cause of the odour. Here are some common causes of odours in campers and how to fix them:

• Leaks and water damage: Inspect your camper for any signs of leaks and repair them promptly. This may involve replacing seals and gaskets, repairing roof leaks, and fixing plumbing leaks. Remember to clean and dry the area before repairing.
• Moisture and humidity: Campers are prone to moisture buildup due to their compact size and limited ventilation. To fix this, increase ventilation by opening windows and roof vents. Consider using dehumidifiers or moisture absorbers, such as DampRid or activated charcoal, to reduce humidity levels.
• Dirty upholstery and carpets: Regularly vacuum and clean upholstery and carpets to remove dust, dirt, and spills. If possible, remove and wash removable covers and cushions. You can also try using natural odour absorbers like baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds.
• Toilet and holding tank odours: Always keep a little water in the black water tank to prevent smells from solid wastes. Use holding tank chemicals to break down waste and reduce smells. Empty and rinse your black water tank regularly, and deep clean it a few times a year.
• Grey water tank: Clean your grey water tank, which holds water from sinks and showers, by pouring in a cup of cleaning product and enough water to mostly fill the tank. Then, drive your camper around to splash the water around inside the tank.
• Refrigerator: Deep clean your refrigerator and leave it open until it dries fully. Keep a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to minimise odours. When the camper isn't in use, leave the fridge door propped open a little to let out moisture and odours.
• Kitchen and bathroom drains: Clean your drains with baking soda and vinegar. Pour baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar, to create a fizzing reaction that clears out the gunk. Then, rinse with water.
• Mildew and mould: Look for mould and mildew on all visible surfaces of the camper. If you find any, use distilled vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to kill the mould. Prevent future mould growth by repairing any water damage or leaks, and consider using a dehumidifier when camping in humid areas.

Get rid of lingering smells

Once you've identified and addressed the source of the odour, it's time to tackle any remaining smells. Here are some ways to get rid of lingering musty or unpleasant odours in your camper:

• Increase ventilation: Open windows and roof vents to improve air circulation. This will help eliminate stagnant air and reduce musty odours.
• Use natural odour absorbers: Place bowls of baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds in different areas of the camper. These natural odour absorbers can effectively neutralise smells.
• Odour-absorbing gels: These products are designed to trap and neutralise odours in the air. They are easy to place throughout the camper.
• Odour-eliminating sprays: Look for sprays that are specifically formulated to neutralise and eliminate odours rather than just masking them.
• Dehumidifier: Run a small dehumidifier in your camper to help eliminate excess moisture in the air and create a drier interior.
• Clean and dry upholstery and carpets: Regularly vacuum and clean upholstery and carpets to remove dust, dirt, and food particles. Wash removable covers and cushions.
• Wash hard surfaces: Clean all hard interior surfaces, such as cabinets, counters, floors, and walls, with a damp odour neutraliser or a mildew remover.
• Use a moisture eliminator: Activated charcoal moisture eliminators can help attract and trap moisture from the air, preventing the build-up of mildew and mould. Replace them every 4-8 weeks or as needed.
• Wax melters: Wax melters can provide a pleasant fragrance without the need for open flames, which should be avoided in campers.
• Dryer sheets: Place scented dryer sheets around your camper to create a pleasant aroma and help deter certain types of bugs.
• Vinegar and baking soda: Mix one part vinegar with two parts warm water in a spray bottle and dampen the upholstery. Sprinkle baking soda on or rub it into vertical surfaces. Allow the mixture to react and dry, then vacuum clean.

Increase ventilation

To get rid of a smell in a camper, you must first identify its source. Campers are prone to moisture buildup due to their compact size and limited ventilation, which can lead to mould and mildew growth. To prevent this, it is important to increase ventilation.

Open windows and roof vents to improve air circulation inside the camper. This will help eliminate stagnant air and reduce musty odours. If possible, leave the camper open to allow fresh air to circulate.

Consider using a dehumidifier or moisture absorber to reduce humidity levels. Dehumidifiers help eliminate moisture from the air, creating a drier interior. Moisture absorbers, such as activated charcoal bags or containers, attract and trap moisture from the air. Place them in different areas of the camper to help eliminate unwanted smells.

Another way to improve ventilation is to use a wax melter or essential oil diffuser. However, be cautious when using these as they can add moisture to the air. Ensure that you are present and keeping a watchful eye on these appliances when in use.

Additionally, you can place bowls of baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds in various areas of the camper to absorb odours. These natural odour absorbers can effectively neutralise musty smells.

Clean and dry upholstery and carpets

To clean and dry the upholstery and carpets in your camper, you should regularly vacuum and clean them to remove dust, dirt, and food particles. If possible, remove and wash removable covers and cushions. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the carpets and upholstery, let it sit, and then vacuum it up.

If your upholstery is machine washable, choose a cool and gentle wash cycle to prevent damage to old or sun-damaged fabric. Use Dettol Laundry Cleanser instead of fabric conditioner, line dry in strong sunshine, and steam iron everything to kill any lingering mould or mildew spores.

If you are able to remove the seat covers and launder them, replace the foam with a new one. The old foam will have lost its springiness over time. To achieve the best results, sandwich the new foam between two layers of BedAirer, which will improve comfort and significantly reduce moisture build-up in the seat cushions.

If your upholstery or carpets are not removable, you can clean them by mixing one part white vinegar with two parts warm water in a spray bottle and dampening the surfaces. Then, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on or rub it into vertical surfaces. Leave the mixture to dry for 24 hours, then vacuum clean. Finally, make sure to ventilate the area well.

Frequently asked questions