Cleaning Car and Caravan

Sanchas
Sanchas Forum Participant Posts: 35
edited April 2017 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

A question for those of you that spend 2-3 months abroad, how do you go about cleaning your car and caravan. We are going May-July into Belgium, German and Czech Republic with an Audi Q3 and Lunar Stellar.

Comments

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #2

    Not had a problem washing them down with plain water.

    Germany is very strict on washing cars etc. I seem to remember my son saying that he had to take his cars to a car wash when they lived there, as they are not allowed to let chemicals get into the water systems/drains, they are not even allowed to use week killer in their gardens.

    Wouldn't think Belgium would be a problem and couldn't comment on the Czech Republic I'm afraid.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #3

    I have sponged the dirt off ours when we have been away in Europe and then leather the excess water off. I just use a bucket full of water. Seems to work OK. On some sites I have seen people washing cars at the motorhome dump point which I would not encourage for obvious reasons!

    David

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2017 #4

    Tammygirl is right. Nearly all local authorities have restrictions in force allowing vehicles to be washed only in commercial car washes that recycle the water and keep it out of the normal drainage system. I've had a neighbour complain with the town council because I washed my car in front of the house, although I only used clear water and no detergent of any sort.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2017 #5
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  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #6

    We have a container of 'dry wash' in the car that seemed like a good idea but has never been used but may be of use in your situation.

    Always wash the windows on arrival, with just warm water, and have, after long summer journeys, done the car windows but will use car wash facilities if available.

    Have seen signs prohibiting car washing on several British and foreign sites and once witnessed quite an argument on a club site when a guy was washing his fifth wheeler and his neighbour objected.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited April 2017 #7

    I carry some show room shine. Tend to use it on the caravan windows after washing off the muck. Would not be tempted to use it on the car windscreen though wink

  • Sanchas
    Sanchas Forum Participant Posts: 35
    edited April 2017 #8

    Thanks for the answers so far, in Germany are there many of pressure/ hand wash type with the guys doing it or the drive through machine type.Its a new car and I'm a bit particular about the paintwork.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #9

    I've used a jet wash facility in Germany. Their drive through facilities are quite nerve wracking if you don't know what to expect. How about leaving your car in a building where the door closes and you wait outside until it finishes? I'm sure Lutz will give a more detailed explanation.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2017 #10

    For the car I use a drive through facility which has textile wipers rather than brushes. It has a sign claiming that this type of car wash does no harm to the paintwork. However, I haven't come across simlar brushless systems on van washes which would also accommodate caravans, but then I usually wash the caravan at a self service car wash with a hand held jet wand

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,394 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #11

    I am on holiday and don't really want to be doing this job other than keeping the windscreen clean. Sometimes after really bad weather it is forced upon us, that is if you want to avoid getting dirty marks on your clothes and then I will reluctantly do as DK does with a bucket of water and a cloth. I prefer to leave cleaning until I get home.

    peedee

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #12

    I'm with peedee.  You are on holidaycool.  Caravan just gets it's windows cleaned as required, although I once 'washed' the front of the caravan with water and sponge after driving through a very muddy section of road in Spain a few years ago.  The car can go through a car wash if really necessary.  When the children were young they used to consider it a badge of honour to return home with a filthy car and just the wiped areas of the screen clear!

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