Services
Caravan and Campervan Interior Cleaning Sydney
Caravans, campervans, boats and vehicle interiors
Carpet and upholstery cleaning for the vehicles you travel in
A caravan interior takes the kind of punishment a living room never sees. Everything is compact, everything gets touched, and sand, mud, food and sunscreen come in with you at the end of each day. Then the van gets parked, closed up and left for months at a time.
We clean carpet and upholstery inside caravans, campervans, motorhomes and boats across Sydney, using the same equipment and approach we bring to homes. We are fully insured and police checked, and we do not subcontract. Nobody else is sent in our place.
Why van interiors are their own problem
A caravan is a small, enclosed, poorly ventilated space full of soft furnishings. That combination is what makes the difference.
Moisture that would disperse harmlessly in a house has nowhere to go in a van with the windows shut, so it settles into cushions, bunk mattresses and floor carpet and stays there. This is why a van that was put away clean can still smell stale when you open it up months later. It is also why over-wetting during cleaning is the single biggest risk in this work.
Getting a van interior properly clean is straightforward. Getting it clean without leaving moisture behind is the part that takes judgement.
How we approach a caravan interior
Inspection
We look through the van before anything is cleaned. Fabric type, cushion construction, existing staining, any signs of damp or mould, and how the interior has been stored all affect what we do next. If the van has been sitting unused, we will say so and explain what that usually means for the result.
Preparation
Loose soil is removed before any moisture is introduced. In a confined space that step matters more than it does in a house, because there is less room to work and less airflow to help afterwards. Cushions are lifted where practical so that seams, edges and the areas underneath are not missed.
Cleaning
We use professional portable extraction rather than a truck-mounted system for this work. The portable machine goes into the van with us, which means we are not running long hose lengths through a doorway that was never designed for them. Products are selected for the fabric in front of us, the same way we would with a sofa.
Moisture control
This is where van work differs most from house work. We use controlled moisture and thorough extraction passes, and we open the van up properly so air can move through it. We will also tell you honestly how long to leave it open before you close it back up.
Final walk through
We go back through the interior with you before we leave. If something has not shifted, you will hear that from us rather than discover it later.
Vans that have been in storage
A lot of the vans we are asked about have not moved for a season or longer. The usual complaint is a musty smell rather than visible dirt. That smell generally comes from moisture held in soft furnishings, sometimes with mould growth on or inside cushions.
Cleaning can help a great deal, and often resolves it entirely. It will not fix a van that is still taking on water. If we find evidence of an ongoing leak, we will tell you, because cleaning a van that is still getting wet is money spent twice.
What we clean inside a van
Most caravan and campervan work involves some combination of the following.
- Floor carpet and carpeted steps
- Bench seating, dinette cushions and backrests
- Bunk and bed mattresses
- Fabric headboards and padded panels
- Curtains and fabric blinds where they can be safely cleaned in place
- Fabric-lined storage areas and under-seat compartments
Hard surfaces, exteriors, awnings and mechanical work are not part of what we do. We clean carpet and upholstery, and we would rather be clear about that than have you expecting a full detail.
Boats and campervans
The same approach applies to boat interiors and campervans. Boats bring their own considerations, particularly salt, damp and enclosed cabins that hold moisture even more stubbornly than a caravan does.
Access and power availability are worth discussing before we book, since a boat on a mooring is a different job to one on a trailer in your driveway.
Cars and other vehicles
We do clean car interiors, and it is worth being clear about what that means. This is carpet and upholstery extraction, not detailing.
If you want seats and floor carpet properly cleaned, that is work we can do. If you are after a full detail with exterior wash, polish, dressings and glass, a detailer is the better call, and we will say so rather than take the booking.
Access, power and where we work
Van work is usually easiest at your home, in a driveway or on the street outside. We can also work at storage yards and caravan parks, though access rules vary and it is worth checking with the operator first.
Our portable equipment runs off standard power. If there is no power available at the location, tell us when you enquire so we can plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
Do you come to the caravan or does it need to be dropped off?
We come to the van. Most jobs are done at the owner's home, in a driveway or on the street. We can also work at storage yards and caravan parks where access is permitted.
How long will the interior take to dry?
It depends on the fabrics, the weather and how much airflow we can get through the van. A caravan holds moisture longer than a house does, so we use controlled moisture and give you specific advice about how long to leave it open before closing it up.
Will cleaning get rid of the musty smell?
Often, yes, because that smell usually comes from moisture and soil held in soft furnishings. If the smell is coming from an active leak or water damage behind a panel, cleaning will not solve it. We will tell you if we think that is what is happening.
Can you treat mould on cushions?
We can clean and treat surface mould on fabric in many cases, and we will assess it before quoting. Where growth has gone deep into foam or the cushion has been wet for a long time, replacement is sometimes the more sensible outcome and we will say so.
Do you use the truck-mounted system on caravans?
Generally no. Portable extraction is the better tool for a van interior. It goes inside with us, gives finer control over how much moisture goes in, and avoids running long hoses through a doorway that was not designed for it.
Do you clean boat interiors?
Yes, using the same approach. Boats hold damp more stubbornly than caravans, so drying advice matters even more. Access and available power are worth sorting out before we book.
Is this the same as car detailing?
No. We clean carpet and upholstery. Detailing usually includes exterior wash, polish, dressings and glass, which is not what we do. If that is what you are after, a detailer is the better option.
Do I need to empty the van first?
Clearing personal belongings, bedding and loose items out of the areas being cleaned makes a real difference to the result. You do not need to strip it completely. Tell us what is staying and we will work around it.
Can you clean a van that has been sitting for years?
Usually yes, though the longer a van has been closed up the more likely it is that we find damp or mould rather than ordinary soil. We would rather look at it and give you a realistic assessment than quote it blind.
How much does caravan interior cleaning cost?
It depends on the size of the van, how much upholstery is involved and the condition of the interior. Tell us the make and layout and send a few photographs of the seating and floor, and we will come back to you with a price.
Caravan and van interior cleaning across Sydney
We clean caravan, campervan, motorhome and boat interiors across Sydney. Tell us the type of van, roughly how much seating and carpet is involved, and whether it has been stored for any length of time. A few photographs of the interior help a great deal when working out a price.
Get a quote for your caravan, boat or vehicle
Tell us the type of van or vessel, roughly how much carpet and upholstery is involved and where it will be parked, and we will come back with a price and a realistic view of what cleaning can achieve.