Make Your Camper Smell Better: Tips And Tricks

Keeping your camper smelling fresh is an important part of maintaining your vehicle. Campers are prone to smelling musty due to their thin walls, which allow moisture and humidity to creep in. There are several ways to prevent and eliminate bad odours in your camper. Here are some of the most effective methods:

- Use moisture absorbers: Products like Moisture Eliminators or charcoal bags can help to attract and trap moisture, preventing it from settling in your camper and causing a musty smell.

- Dehumidify: Invest in a small dehumidifier to combat moisture and create a drier interior.

- Air it out: Open doors and windows to let fresh air circulate and dry out your camper.

- Clean regularly: Deep clean cushions, carpets, curtains, and furniture cushions to prevent the build-up of bad smells.

- Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda on mattresses, blankets, and carpets to remove musty smells. You can also mix it with white vinegar to clean and deodorize toilets, sinks, drains, and washing machines.

- Charcoal: Charcoal sticks or packets can help neutralise odours.

- Citrus: Cut up citrus fruits and place them around your camper to absorb and overpower other scents.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a classic cleaning agent and can be used to neutralise nasty smells in your camper. If you can identify the source of the smell, sprinkle some baking soda around it and leave it for 30 minutes. After that, simply vacuum it up and you'll have a clean-smelling camper again!

Baking soda can be used to absorb unpleasant food smells from your camper's fridge. Keep an open box of it in there to absorb any bad odours. You can also sprinkle it on mattresses, blankets and carpets to remove musty smells.

Mixing baking soda with white vinegar is a great way to clean and deodorise your camper's toilet, sinks, drains and washing machine. It can also be used to clean your fridge; just mix it with some water and a few drops of dishwashing soap.

If you're struggling with a sewage smell in your camper, try sprinkling baking soda in your shower and sink drains to absorb any odours that might be coming from there.

Invest in a dehumidifier

Investing in a dehumidifier is a great way to keep your camper smelling fresh and prevent it from getting musty and damp, which can cause unpleasant smells. Dehumidifiers work by sucking up moisture from the air, releasing it into a small bucket, and pumping out drier air. This helps to eliminate excess moisture, which can lead to mould and rot, and create a more pleasant environment.

When choosing a dehumidifier for your camper, opt for a small, compact model that is designed for RVs or small spaces. Look for one with a removable water tank that is easy to empty, as you will need to empty it regularly to prevent the water from going stale. Some dehumidifiers also have continuous drainage options, which allow you to attach a hose to drain the water directly into a sink or drain. This can be useful if you don't want to worry about emptying the tank frequently.

It is important to place the dehumidifier in an area where it can effectively remove moisture from the air. Ideally, it should be positioned in a well-ventilated area, away from walls or other obstacles that may block airflow. If possible, try to create a cross breeze by opening windows or using fans to help circulate the air and improve the efficiency of the dehumidifier.

In addition to running the dehumidifier, there are a few other things you can do to maintain a fresh-smelling camper. Regular cleaning and maintenance are key to preventing unpleasant odours. Be sure to keep your camper tidy, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum regularly. Deep cleaning your carpets, rugs, curtains, and furniture cushions can also help to eliminate any trapped odours.

Another way to combat moisture and odours is to use moisture absorbers or dehumidifier bags. These products contain activated charcoal or other moisture-absorbing materials and can be placed in small spaces, such as cabinets or storage areas, to help control humidity levels. Remember to replace them regularly, as indicated by the manufacturer, to ensure they continue to work effectively.

By investing in a dehumidifier and following these additional tips, you can effectively reduce moisture and prevent unpleasant odours in your camper, creating a more comfortable and enjoyable space for your travels.

Clean your black water tank

Keeping your black water tank clean is one of the most effective ways to keep your camper smelling fresh. The black water tank holds wastewater from your toilet, and if left uncleaned, it can cause unpleasant odours and even blockages. Here are some detailed steps to clean your black water tank:

Prepare for Cleaning:

• It is recommended to clean your black water tank when you are fully hooked up with access to both a water and sewer connection.
• Get a garden hose specifically for cleaning your black water tank.
• Attach an anti-backflow preventer to the hose to prevent water from flowing back into the freshwater system.
• Protect yourself with gloves to avoid any contact with drips, leaks or splatters during the cleaning process.
• The ideal time to clean your black water tank is when it is about three-quarters full.

Cleaning Process:

• The night before cleaning, close the grey water tank valve, which is usually kept open when hooked up, to accumulate water for rinsing the sewer line after dumping the black water tank.
• Clean your toilet using a mild cleaner, such as Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, and a brush. Remember to turn off the bathroom fan during this process.
• Connect the garden hose with the anti-backflow valve to the sewage rinse attachment on the RV and the freshwater source.
• Slowly turn on the water, gradually increasing the flow.
• Pull the black water tank valve to start emptying the tank.
• Once the water runs clear, close the black water tank valve for about a minute.
• Open the valve again and let the water run through.
• Repeat the process of closing and opening the valve until the water runs clear.
• Turn off the water and let the remaining water drain from the tank.
• Open the grey water tank valve to drain the accumulated water.
• Pour a deodorising cleaner, such as Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, down the toilet, followed by a gallon of water.

Additional Tips:

• Perform a smell test by closing all windows, opening the toilet's gate valve, turning on the bathroom fan, and checking for any odours.
• If there is a lingering odour, repeat the process of pouring deodorising cleaner and water down the toilet.
• For extremely smelly tanks, pour a cup of Simple Green and a gallon of hot water down the toilet and let the solution sit for 24 hours before draining and re-evaluating the odour.
• If your RV lacks a sewage rinse outlet, feed the garden hose directly into the toilet instead of using the sewage rinse attachment.
• Never leave your black water tank valve open, even when hooked up, to prevent "pyramiding," which leads to blockages.

Air out your camper

Airing out your camper is one of the easiest ways to get rid of bad odours. If you're parked at a campground with good weather, open the doors and windows to let in the fresh air. Turn on fans to circulate the air and help release odours and dry out your space. If your camper has been idle for a while, be sure to air it out before you leave.

Excess moisture in your camper can cause odours, so it's important to improve airflow and ventilation. Open your windows as much as possible and keep your blinds open to let in sunlight. Sunlight and fresh air can solve the majority of your odour-related problems.

If you're unsure where a bad odour is coming from, it's a good idea to first find any areas where moisture might be coming in. Check the windows and look for any cracks around the doors or other areas. Then give the entire camper a thorough cleaning. Remember to clean everything, including mattresses, cushions, and furniture, as these items can absorb and hold odours. Leave them outside until they are completely dry.

If you're dealing with a sewage smell, it's likely coming from your bathroom. Dump and clean your holding tanks to get rid of the odour. You can also try sprinkling baking soda in sink and shower drains to absorb any odours.

Use charcoal

Charcoal is a fantastic choice when it comes to neutralizing odours in your camper. It is a key ingredient in many commercial deodorizing products because it can easily soak up all kinds of bad smells. You can use either charcoal sticks or packets. Both options are effective, but they may leave a faint smoky smell behind once they finish their job. This will dissipate pretty quickly, though!

One product that utilizes charcoal is the Moisture Eliminator. These are small, inconspicuous containers with activated charcoal inside that attract and trap moisture from the air around it. You simply peel the seal off the container and place it in your camper. It continually pulls moisture out of the air, and when it fills up, you dispose of it and replace it with a new one. These are a great option if you're dealing with a musty smell in your camper.

If you're looking for a more natural solution, you can also try charcoal bags. These are all-natural and can be reactivated by placing them in the sun for an hour once a month. They are safe to leave in your camper during the winter, even in cold climates like New England.

Another option is to use charcoal sticks or briquettes. You can place these in pans and leave them in closed spaces in your camper to absorb moisture and odours. Just be sure to dispose of them properly when you're done.

Frequently asked questions