Washing a caravan using washing up liquid.

johndailey
johndailey Forum Participant Posts: 520
100 Comments
edited February 2017 in Caravans #1

You all may be thinking that I am a bit tight (I am)!  Is there any disadvantage in using washing up liquid when washing a caravan?

Comments

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #2

    Washing up liquid contains salt ,and it could damage the paint 

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #3

    Using  one  of  Fenwick's ** potions  seems  to  be  quite  cheap  enough  if  you  stick  to  the  amounts  quoted,  JD,  and  don't  pop  another  capful  " For  Luck"

     

    **  Other  CAMH  cleaners  are  available  wink

  • karenandbill
    karenandbill Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited February 2017 #4

     

    Over a prolonged period the salt in washing up liquid will dull and fade the paint and especially decals. It will get behind the lacquer on alloys and rust the brakes. What's wrong with cheap carwash? I use Halfords own bought when on offer. Also use dry wash which is even easier.

     

  • johndailey
    johndailey Forum Participant Posts: 520
    100 Comments
    edited February 2017 #5

    Hd, I have heard that explanation before. I was 'fishing' for that information. thanks for pointing it out. I do have Fenwicks and will dig it out and use it. Also, thanks to ABM.

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
    500 Comments
    edited February 2017 #6

    If caravan makers used the same turgid grey paint that VW used on my Passat then the dirt wouldn't show so much and reduce the need for washing to perhaps bi-annually. wink

  • JCB4X4
    JCB4X4 Forum Participant Posts: 466
    100 Comments
    edited February 2017 #7

    Can I suggest that we no longer wash our mostly white ‘Tin Tents’ allowing them to gradually turn various shades of  ‘Natural Green’ as it will be more in-keeping with our new 'CAMC' outdoors ethos. undecidedwink!!

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
    500 Comments
    edited February 2017 #8

    Using washing up liquid will remove the wax finish and make it dull has the previous posts says

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited February 2017 #9

    I'm tight but see little saving in using washing liquid.

    I have used it in the past but i blame its use for the owning rail "rubbers" turning yellow, so IME it can discolour plastic.

    I just use a good wash and wax, i've never polished a caravan apart from small areas to restore faded paint, but i might give my new caravan a once only wax, or i might not.

    Washing up liquid only contains a tiny bit of salt, so the occasional wash with it will do no harm.

  • Toro
    Toro Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited February 2017 #10

    I was told that washing up liquid works by making the water "wetter". It has additives to make this possible including an additive for suds or bubbles which have no effect in the cleaning process other than to please SWMBO who would swear it needs suds. I fail to see what harm it would do to paintwork as it is rinsed with water afterwards.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #11

    As said  in the first reply, Fairy etc contains loads of salt to kill the grease ...... not really what you want on your paintwork. 

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #12

    It is indeed well documented on numerous car detailing forums why you shouldnt use Fairy Liquid ( others available) to wash your car etc......

    For example.........

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advice/why-you-shouldnt-use-washing-up-liquid-to-wash-your-car/

  • omendri
    omendri Forum Participant Posts: 75
    edited February 2017 #13

    A spot of dishwasher rinse aid in the "bucket" will cause the surface tension of the moisture on the caravan [or anything else] to breakdown which should make streak free drying and "leathering" easier.

    Washing up liquid is not good for cleaning cars/caravans because of the salt. Went to a presentation many years ago by Autoglym who produced all manner of evidence to quantify just how bad washing up liquid was for vehicle washing. If I remember correctly it [washing up liquid] along with salt also contains lanolin to keep your hands all nice and soft which of course is also not good for cars and caravans.

     

    Ome "n" Dri 

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