Say Goodbye to RV Mold with These Preventive Tips!

Welcome, fellow travelers and adventure seekers! Today, we're diving into the world of RV living and addressing a common issue that many of us face on the road: mold. As much as we love the freedom and flexibility that comes with RV life, it's crucial to keep our rolling homes in tip-top shape. Mold is not only unsightly but can also pose health risks and cause damage to our beloved mobile abodes. But fear not, as we're here to share some practical tips and tricks to help you prevent mold growth in your RV and keep it fresh, clean, and ready for your next journey.

What is mold?

Mold is a fungal growth that can sneak its way into RVs, leaving behind unsightly stains, undermining the value of your RV, and potentially harming your health. However, with the right preventive measures, you can keep mold at bay both inside and outside your RV to maintain a healthy living environment.

What Causes Mold to Grow in an RV?

Mold thrives in environments with moisture, warmth, and organic material to feed on, and unfortunately in RVs there are many areas where mold can find those conditions. Leaks from plumbing, windows, or roofs can create dampness that mold spores adore as does the condensation that’s common in RVs simply as a result of human occupation. And, if you add in a lack of ventilation in the area, voilà - you have the perfect breeding ground for mold. Accordingly, we often see mold in bathrooms, closets, under mattresses, the back of drawers, or under sinks inside an RV. On the exterior of an RV mold may grow on roofing, walls, or awnings.

How To Prevent Mold in 5 Easy Steps

By incorporating the following preventive tips into your RV lifestyle, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of mold growth and create a healthier living environment for you and your family. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to mold. So, take the time to do annual maintenance, stay vigilant with inspections, use a dehumidifier, and prioritize good ventilation practices. Your home on wheels will thank you for it!

1. Inspect and Maintain – The first step in preventing mold growth is to conduct regular inspections of your RV. Check areas prone to moisture buildup such as bathrooms, kitchens, cabinets and closets, windows sills, around water pipes, and roofs. Keep an eye out for any signs of water leaks or dampness, as these are breeding grounds for mold. By catching any issues early on, you can address them before they escalate into a full-blown mold problem. You want to inspect your RV before every trip and make sure that a complete visual inspection of your RV is part of your annual maintenance.
2. Use a Dehumidifier – Moisture is mold's best friend, so reducing humidity levels in your RV is key to mold prevention. Explore the different types of dehumidifiers from disposable moisture absorbers (like DampRid) to electric dehumidifiers to see which type works best in your size of RV.

When it comes to the exterior of your RV, obviously there is no dehumidifier that can reduce moisture levels outside, but you can take steps to avoid adding to mold friendly conditions. First, make sure your awnings are completely dry before you roll them back in. Second, on occasion, park your RV in direct sunlight to give the roof a chance to thoroughly dry out.

3. Follow Best Ventilation Practices – Proper ventilation is crucial in preventing mold growth. Ensure that your RV is well-ventilated by using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, opening windows when weather permits, and allowing air to circulate freely throughout your living spaces. Good airflow helps to keep moisture levels in check and discourages mold from taking hold. Read our blog The Keys to Better Ventilation in Your RV to make sure your vehicle is optimized for airflow.
4. Use Your Air Conditioner – While most people think about running their air conditioner when they are hot and want to cool down their RV interior, the reality is that running an AC is also a good way to dehumidify an RV. Air conditioners pull moisture from the interior of an RV and dispense it into the exterior world helping to create a less attractive atmosphere for mold.
5. Get an Air Purifier – Air purifiers like the Coleman-Mach i-Wave-M Air Purifier can remove a range of unwanted airborne elements including mold spores from the internal RV environment. This can be a helpful contributing factor in the ongoing battle to keep mold out of your RV. The i-Wave Air Purifier can be retrofitted into existing Coleman-Mach air conditioners; ask your RV technician or local service center about the upgrade.

How to Clean Mold

If, unfortunately, you discover that mold has developed either in or on your RV, act immediately to clean the affected area and mitigate the spread of this invasive element. Always seek medical advice if you think you’ve been exposed to toxic mold and consult with your RV service tech if you’re unable to locate the source of your mold infestation or if you have troubles resolving the issue in your rig in a timely fashion.

When cleaning RVs, inside or out, always use quality products designed for the specific material you’re cleaning and check with manufacturers for best cleaning practices for your specific components.

Dicor makes a line of high-quality RV cleaning and care products including a Mold & Mildew Remover that can be used on roof membranes, bathroom tile, grout, tubes, showers, and vinyl curtains to spot treat problem areas. Dicor also has Rubber Roof Cleaner and specialty brush heads with a telescoping pole designed to make routine exterior cleaning more efficient to help RV owners keep their RV mold free for the long term.

Tips for Making Mold Prevention Easier Over the Life of Your RV

Maintaining an RV in top condition requires a proactive approach to mold prevention, a challenge that is ongoing but manageable with the right strategies. By following these tips, RV owners can enjoy their travels without the worry of mold taking over their mobile sanctuary.

1. First and foremost, remember that preventing mold is a continuous battle; it's not about a one-time deep clean but rather about regular checks and maintenance to keep mold at bay.
2. Second, it's crucial to tackle any signs of moisture or mold immediately upon detection. Delaying action can lead to more significant problems, as mold spreads quickly in the confined spaces of an RV.
3. Third, adopting a routine cleaning schedule might seem like more work, but it actually results in less cleaning in the long run. Frequent cleaning prevents the buildup of mold spores and moisture, making each cleaning session less daunting and more efficient.

Make a commitment to your RV’s health by incorporating these preventive tips into your RV lifestyle and routines. Schedule annual maintenance checks, keep that dehumidifier running, and let the fresh air flow through your home on the road so you can say goodbye to mold and hello to cleaner, healthier living spaces!