Disclaimer: Guidelines and advice for this article came from public information on the CDC website. Please check the CDC website for the most up-to-date cleaning guidelines.
While travel may have slowed down over the past month due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many of our owners still have bookings coming in for last-minute social distancing getaways or upcoming summer trips that bank on future relaxed travel restrictions.
As an owner, keeping your rig disinfected and your renters safe is crucial over the next few months as a huge chunk of the population starts to dip their toes back into the travel pool.
To help keep your renters happy and healthy, we’ve compiled some recommendations directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on cleaning and disinfecting your RV.
Download & print your own Outdoorsy checklist of CDC-recommended cleaning guidelines!
Cleaning is crucial
Cleanliness has always been important for our Outdoorsy community, but right now it’s an absolutely crucial part of containing the virus and not spreading to new people and communities.
Because COVID-19 can live on certain surfaces for hours (sometimes days!), our owners must make sure to clean and disinfect their RVs frequently, with special attention paid between reservations. You don’t want a new renter to contract the virus because you didn’t clean well enough after the last guest.
The CDC recommends that you actually limit access to your rental for a minimum of 24-72 hours after each reservation to provide enough time for cleaning and disinfection.
Outdoorsy’s cleaning guidelines for RV owners*
*Based on CDC guidelines
Please follow our list of guidelines when cleaning to make sure you’re taking all the right precautions.
- Wear disposable gear while you clean (gloves, face masks). If you wear gloves, throw them out after each cleaning and wash your hands.
- Ventilate rooms while you clean by leaving the windows and door open.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after each cleaning. Use soap and water, and wash for at least 20 seconds.
- Use detergent or soap and water to remove dirt, grease, dust, and germs. Once the surface is clean, spray with a disinfectant.
- Don’t touch your face while cleaning (wearing a face mask can help prevent this).
- Wash all linens at the highest heat setting recommended by the manufacturer. This includes:
- bedsheets
- mattress covers
- towels
- blanket
- While restocking your supplies, take a moment to check expiration dates. And remember to never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaning solution that can release toxic gases that are dangerous to inhale.
- Line your trash cans to make it easier to dispose of waste.
- Once you’re done cleaning, immediately take out the trash if it contains cleaning supplies like used paper towels or disinfectant wipes.
Cleaning does not equal disinfecting
Cleaning is the act of removing germs, dirt, and impurities. Disinfecting is when you use chemicals to kill germs. You can lower the risk of a renter contracting the virus by cleaning first and then disinfecting your RV.
Here is what the CDC has to say on the topic of disinfecting…
If you’re looking for more guidance on how to use specific household disinfectants, check out the EPA-registered household disinfectant list.
Keep yourself and your renters safe
Make sure your RV is stocked with the amenities to help renters stay clean:
- Antibacterial hand sanitizer
- Disposable gloves and wipes
- Hand soap
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Toilet Paper
- A copy of the CDC’s cleaning guidelines
Download & print your own Outdoorsy checklist of CDC-recommended cleaning guidelines!
Update your listing to show off your safety
Definitely update your listing to let renters know all the extra steps you’re taking to ensure that your RV is clean and disinfected. Remember that while you can let them know everything you’re doing to ensure their safety, you legally can’t use absolute phrases like “COVID-free.”
Hopefully, you find these guidelines useful in strengthening your owner-renter relationships during an insane time. We’ll keep the list updated should anymore best practices become available from the CDC.
If you have other questions or concerns about your renters or bookings during COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 policies, safety tips, and FAQs page.
Disclaimer: Guidelines and advice for this article came from public information on the CDC website. Please check the CDC website for the most up-to-date cleaning guidelines.
