Care tips for caravans | motorhomes – Dethleffs Knowledgebase

External care

Washing with a high-pressure cleaner

Do not clean tyres with a high-pressure cleaner. The tyres may be damaged.
Do not spray exterior applications (decorative films) directly with a high-pressure cleaner. The exterior applications could become detached.

Before washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, follow the operating instructions for the high-pressure cleaner. When washing with the round jet nozzle, maintain a minimum distance of approx. 700 mm between the vehicle and the cleaning nozzle. Ensure that the water jet comes out of the cleaning nozzle under pressure. Incorrect handling of the high-pressure cleaner can result in damage to the vehicle. The water temperature must not exceed 60°C. Move the water jet during the entire washing process. Do not aim the water jet directly at door gaps, electrical attachments, plug connectors, seals, ventilation grilles or skylights. The vehicle may be damaged or water may penetrate the interior.

Wash vehicle

Never have the vehicle cleaned in a car wash. Water can penetrate the refrigerator gills, the exhaust gas chimneys, the cooker hood vents or the forced ventilation systems. The vehicle may be damaged.
Only clean the vehicle in a washing area intended for washing vehicles.
Avoid direct sunlight. Observe environmental protection measures.
Only clean exterior applications and plastic add-on parts with plenty of warm water, washing-up liquid and a soft cloth.
Wash the vehicle with as much water as possible, a clean sponge or a soft brush. For stubborn dirt, add dishwashing detergent to the water. Painted exterior walls can also be cleaned with a caravan cleaner.

Care

Only treat surfaces made of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) with mild cleaners. Cleaning agents and polishes for GRP surfaces are available from specialised dealers.
Regularly polish attachment parts made of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) with a polishing agent. This prevents yellowing of the GRP add-on parts and the sealing of the surface is retained.
Rub talcum powder into the rubber seals on doors and storage space flaps.
Treat locking cylinders on doors and storage space flaps with graphite dust.

Window panes made of acrylic glass

Acrylic glass window panes require particularly careful handling due to their sensitivity.
Never wipe acrylic glass window panes dry, as dust particles will damage the surface.
Only clean acrylic glass window panes with plenty of warm water, a little washing-up liquid and a soft cloth.
Never use glass cleaners with chemical, abrasive or alcohol-based additives. Premature embrittlement of the panes and subsequent cracking would be the consequences.
Cleaners that are used in the bodywork area (e.g. tar or silicone remover), do not bring into contact with acrylic glass.
Do not drive in car washes.
Do not affix any stickers to the acrylic glass window panes.
After cleaning the vehicle, rinse the acrylic glass window panes again with plenty of clear water.
Treat rubber seals with glycerine.
An acrylic glass cleaner with an antistatic effect is suitable for post-treatment cleaning. Small scratches can be treated with an acrylic glass polish. The accessories trade offers these products.

Underfloor

The underfloor of the vehicle is partially coated with age-resistant underbody protection. In the event of damage, repair the underbody protection immediately. Do not treat surfaces that have been coated with underfloor protection with spray oil.
Only use products approved by the manufacturer. Our authorised dealers and service points will be happy to advise you.
For models with GRP-covered underfloors, only use care products that are suitable for the material.

Water system

Water tank

Clean the water tank with a plastic-compatible cleaning agent from a specialist retailer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Only use suitable cleaning agents from specialised dealers.
Collect the leaking mixture of water and cleaning agent and dispose of it properly.
Empty the water system.
Close all drain openings and drain cocks.
Fill the water tank with a mixture of water and detergent. Observe the manufacturer's instructions for the mixing ratio.
Open the drain taps individually.
Leave the drain taps open until the mixture of water and detergent has reached the respective outlet.
Close the drain taps again.
Set all taps to "Warm" and open them.
Leave the taps open until the mixture of water and detergent has reached the outlet.
Set all taps to "cold" and open them.
Leave the taps open until the mixture of water and detergent has reached the outlet.
Close all taps.
Flush the toilet several times.
Allow the cleaning agent to take effect according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Empty the water system. Collect the mixture of water and cleaning agent and dispose of it properly.
To flush, fill the entire water system with drinking water several times and empty it again.

Wastewater tank

Clean the wastewater tank after each use of the vehicle.
Empty the wastewater tank.
Thoroughly rinse the wastewater tank with fresh water.
If possible, clean the waste water probes by hand through the cleaning opening.

Disinfect the water system

Only use suitable disinfectants from specialised dealers.
Collect the leaking mixture of water and disinfectant and dispose of it properly.
Empty the water system.
Close all drain openings and drain cocks.
Fill the water tank with a mixture of water and disinfectant. Observe the manufacturer's instructions for the mixing ratio.
Open the drain taps individually.
Leave the drain taps open until the mixture of water and disinfectant has reached the respective outlet.
Close the drain taps again.
Set all taps to "Warm" and open them.
Leave the taps open until the mixture of water and disinfectant has reached the outlet.
Set all taps to "cold" and open them.
Leave the taps open until the mixture of water and disinfectant has reached the outlet.
Close all taps.
Flush the toilet several times.
Allow the disinfectant to take effect according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Empty the water system. Collect the mixture of water and disinfectant and dispose of it properly.
To flush, fill the entire water system with drinking water several times and empty it again.

Internal care

If possible, always treat stains immediately.
Acrylic glass window panes require particularly careful handling due to their sensitivity.
Plastic parts in toilets and living areas require particularly careful treatment due to their sensitivity. Do not use solvents or cleaning agents containing alcohol or abrasive cleaners containing sand. This prevents embrittlement and cracking.
Do not pour any corrosive agents into the drain openings. Do not pour boiling water into the drain openings. Corrosive agents or boiling water damage drain pipes and traps.
Do not use vinegar essence to clean the toilet and water system or when descaling the water system. Vinegar essence can damage seals or parts of the system. Use commercially available descaling agents for descaling.
Use water sparingly. Wipe up all water residues.
Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly with a suitable brush attachment.
Our representatives and service centres are available to provide information on the use of care products.
Discolouration caused by textiles is excluded from any manufacturer's warranty claims. This is by no means a defect in the upholstery fabric, but a defect in the garment textile, which must be reported to the clothing store.
Clean furniture surfaces, furniture handles, lights and all plastic parts in the toilet and living area with water and a woollen cloth. A gentle detergent can be added to the water. If necessary, treat lacquered surfaces with furniture polish.
Clean upholstery fabrics with upholstery dry foam or with the foam of a mild detergent. Do not wash upholstery fabrics, only have them cleaned. Protect upholstery from sunlight so that it does not fade.
Clean faux leather covers at least once a week with an absorbent cloth or sponge and a mixture of water and neutral soap foam. Wipe with clear water, but do not use too much water. Stubborn stains should be cleaned with a mixture of alcohol and water (30 % alcohol and 70 % water) or with ethanol diluted to 10 % (10 % ethanol and 90 % water) and then treated with clear water. However, traces may remain. Do not use any solvent-based or abrasive products or undiluted alcohol and/or acetone.
Clean Teflon covers with an absorbent cloth or sponge and a mild, commercially available water-based cleaning agent. Alternatively, use a mixture of 2 tablespoons of ammonia with 1 litre of water. In the case of damp or oily stains, never rub off the stain, but dab it off with an absorbent cloth. Proceed from the outside inwards so as not to spread the stain. In the case of solid or dried stains, first remove the coarse parts of the stain with a blunt knife or spatula or gently brush off with a soft brush. Then dab off the residue with a damp cloth.
Take curtains and blinds to a dry cleaner.
If necessary, clean the carpet with carpet foam and vacuum.
Wipe PVC flooring with a mild, soapy cleaning agent for PVC floors. Do not lay carpet on wet PVC flooring. Carpet and PVC flooring can stick together.
Never clean sinks and gas cookers with abrasive cleaners containing sand. Avoid anything that could cause scratches and scoring.
Only clean the gas cooker with a damp cloth. Water must not be allowed to enter the openings on the gas cooker. Water can damage the gas cooker.
Brush off insect screens on doors, windows and skylights with a soft brush or vacuum with the brush attachment of the hoover.
Brush the blackout blinds with a soft brush or vacuum with the brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner. Remove grease or stubborn dirt with warm soapy water at 30 °C (curd soap).
Brush off fold darkening with a soft brush or vacuum with the brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner. Remove grease or stubborn dirt with warm soapy water at 30 °C (curd soap). Safety belts can be unrolled and cleaned with warm soapy water. The safety belts must be completely dry before retracting.

On-board technology

Close the gas taps and unscrew the gas hoses and pressure reducer from the cylinders.
Clean and disinfect the water system before winterising.
After cleaning, empty the fresh water tank, wastewater tank, toilet pipework and the heating boiler and leave the taps and valves open.
Disconnect or remove the on-board battery and store it in a dry room.

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