Washing green algae off the roof
We find every winter that our van gets very green as its stored in the SW where its mild and wet. There is no water on the storage site, and getting our van home is not easy as the lanes are very narrow and we live in a cul de sac,
We wash the sides down easily, with a sponge, and rinse with a a garden spray but doing the roof is tricky as neither of us likes balancing on a ladder on fairly uneven ground. We could buy a cover, but have resisted, and may buy a different van in a year or two, so its a big investment!
Any tips? Wish there were caravan washes like there are car washes! Our local distributer does the service but wants £90 to wash the van!!! Surely someone could open a van washing depot. How do lorries get washed? Anyone up to start a business?
Comment from the Community Manager:
I understand your concerns about cleaning green algae off your caravan roof. It's important to tackle this issue effectively while ensuring the safety of yourself and your vehicle. Here are some tips to help you through the cleaning process:
- Use Specialised Cleaning Products: When dealing with green algae, it's crucial to use cleaning products specifically designed for caravans or motorhomes. Household cleaners might cause more harm than good, so stick to products that are gentle yet effective on your vehicle's surfaces.
- Be careful is using a pressure washer (unless the pressure can be adjusted) as they can sometimes be powerful enough to damage window seals
- Utilise an Extendable Mop: Consider using an extendable mop to reach higher areas of your caravan roof comfortably and safely.
- Avoid Washing on Sunny Days: It's advisable to avoid washing your caravan on sunny days as the sun can dry your vehicle too quickly, potentially leaving watermarks. Opt for cooler, overcast days for a more thorough clean.
If you're in need of reliable cleaning solutions, the Fenwicks Caravan Cleaner is a reduced price for members in the Club Shop. This cleaner is perfect for combating green algae and comes with complimentary microfibre cloths to assist you during the cleaning process.
To provide your caravan with extra care during the winter months, consider the Fenwicks Over Wintering Exterior Caravan & Motorhome Protection - 1Ltr. This product not only offers protection to help repel dirt, algae growth, and black streaks but also includes FREE microfibre cloths to help you maintain your caravan's exterior.
Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or require further assistance. 
Comments
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One problem with "comercial"including dealers washes is they all tend to use pressure washers, which on most LV s is not a good idea, In a lot of areas there seems to be a lot of hand car wash sites run by eastern European staff, if there is one near you ,see if they will do it ,we have one near us that we have seen caravans and motor caravans being cleaned and they did not seem to be useing any pressure washers
We are very lucky as where we store our caravan, CC storage site there is a company who will come to storage and do several a day on the wash down facility they never use a pressure wash and use zip up staging to access the roofs of the LV s, last year was £45 for a full hand wash and wax
There are what are I think called roof cap type covers that are just for the roof area that may also be able to be used various length vans
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There are caravan/MH valeters around, Ional, but I’d beware of the Sergei folk as they, too, often use pressure washers and may not be aware of the delicate nature of sealant and caravan build quality.
Do you park your van under trees, perhaps? Mild and wet, yes, but we've never suffered from an unduly green roof in various Devon/Cornwall locations during the last 47 years.
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I'm in a similar position re. storage. After winter, I fill the aquaroll at home with 'hottish' clean water and armed with a 7 tread stepladder, empty bucket, shampoo and a vileda mop, I go to storage. Down there I fill bucket, add shampoo, and mop the roof, rinsing regularly in the bucket.
Doing it after rain makes the job easier as roof grime already softened. If the ground is uneven, take care and get your other half to steady the steps to avoid falling.
Filling the bucket from the heavy Aquaroll is the most difficult part as its heavy (also lifting it initially into the car)
£50 saved and all for an hours work!
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Telescopic ladders , easy to transport bit of pipe lagging to save scratches
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My preferred method is the same as derekcyril. My steps slide to form a single ladder and the pipe lagging (with some duct tape around it) works really well. I invested in a battery operated pressure washer from Bosch and it works really well. Depending on your need, you can select the intensity of the pressure, although in truth it is nothing like a mains operated unit. Great for rinsing and general cleaning though. I also carry a garden sprayer with a pre-mix of car shampoo or similar and agitate with a long handled brush.
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Our drive slopes so the caravan sit with the back down and tilted to the offside, not excessively but enough to prevent water sitting on roof which seems to keep the roof very clean. I also use the yellow awning rail strip to prevent black marks on the offside.
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I also keep my caravan on a storage site but I’m very lucky that the site operator has installed a wash bay with running water, hose and long reach brush. (I use my own brush because the communal one gets left on the ground amongst the gravel!). The best feature of the wash bay is a raised platform about 1.5 metres high and 5 metres long complete with a safety rail. The caravan can be pulled alongside the platform and the roof is easily accessible using the long reach brush. What’s even better is that there is no extra charge for using this facility, although it’s closed over the coldest winter months due to the possibility of freezing.
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