Washing outfits on pitches

meridienmick
meridienmick Forum Participant Posts: 37
First Comment
edited August 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1
I seem to recall reading a discussion about a rule that prohibits the washing of outfits on pitches, but I can't find anything documented about it. Can anyone direct me to any references to this subject? Thanks

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #2

    You're right that it has been discussed and we've been told that only cleaning of lights and windows is allowed in the interests of safety.

    However, I can’t see it mentioned in the site rules which is odd. We're told to leave pitches clean and tidy and not to let waste water overflow but that’s the closest I can come to it.

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/uk-sites/club-sites/club-site-rules/

     

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,866 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #3

    I think the reasoning behind the decision is two fold. Firstly the Club don't want pitches contaminated with the chemicals used in cleaning products and secondly the possible risk of run off of dirty water into the surface water drain. So even if you are using a bucket and just water the resultant dirty water  should be should be disposed of at a service point.  I don't think they have any objection to the waterless cleaners assuming they are suitable for your vehicle.

    David

  • Goldie146
    Goldie146 Club Member Posts: 2,448 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #4

    I think there was a response in last months magazine - saying only lights etc. Or use dry cleaner. 

  • obbernockle
    obbernockle Forum Participant Posts: 616
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    edited August 2019 #5

    Possible local authority planning rules forbid the site to allow it. 

  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Forum Participant Posts: 438
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    edited August 2019 #6

    We've stayed on club sites many times but have only washed our MH twice when on pitch. On both occasions it was a wipe down with bucket and cloth and the wardens saw us doing it. I don't think its a problem if you're just wiping down with a cloth/sponge & a bucket, a full hose down and shampoo would be a bit much to my thinking.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2019 #7

    If CAMC didn't want us washing outfits on site, they wouldn't provide laundry rooms.

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2019 #8
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  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #9

    We generally do same, although use a bucket of clean water and a rung out cloth to rinse / wipe off. 

    When I have used waterless cleaners I have always taken the cloths into the laundry and washed them out properly with some detergent in a sink.

  • Landyman2018
    Landyman2018 Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited August 2019 #10

    Why would you want to waste time washing your caravan on holiday.

    wait until you get home. 

    I agree with club. Don’t wash them.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #11

    Perhaps, because, as in our case we couldn't get the caravan to our home.🤔 Personally I don't see it as a problem if the water is kept off the pitch. Well OK a few drips might escape. However, a more serous isssue is the oil that some vehicles deposit. Tend to notice it more now we have a MH and no car in that space.

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810
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    edited August 2019 #12

    It’s a pity that there isn’t some facility/service for washing caravans and motorhomes on site. I don’t know how that might work in practice, just saying...

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,866 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #13

    It wasn't a recommendation on my part as personally I have had mixed results with that sort of cleaner. The club have said they have no objection to their use. However if you are rinsing any cleaning cloth used for cleaning a caravan/car/motorhome in a bucket the dirty water should be disposed of responsibly in the foul water drain at the service point. 

    David

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2019 #14
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  • meridienmick
    meridienmick Forum Participant Posts: 37
    First Comment
    edited August 2019 #15

    Thanks for all the replies. I think it strange that there is nothing in the site rules or club bye-laws on this subject, even though I believe the wardens are given instructions  that full washing of outfits is not allowed other than carrying out a light wash of mirrors, lights etc for safety reasons.  

     

  • DaveandVicki
    DaveandVicki Forum Participant Posts: 192
    edited August 2019 #16

    I don't think that memo reached all of the sites.

    A couple of years ago we had a week at Clumber, the chap opposite gave his caravan a full wash every morning for the 3 days we shared.

    Another at Poolsbrook had a warden helping him while they chatted away.

    As it was winter in both cases they probably thought it didn't matter.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2019 #17

    Why wash it every morning or did it take three days to do it?

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #18

    A full wash every morning is a serious case of OCD if you ask me.  I wonder if he does the same when it's at home. 

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #19

    Back in the day - before coloured pegs, fire break rules and other stuff, Coniston Park Coppice actually had a specific area (just inside the barrier) for car washing, including hosepipe.  surprised

  • DaveandVicki
    DaveandVicki Forum Participant Posts: 192
    edited August 2019 #20

    We thought that.

    3 mornings while we were sat eating breakfast we would see him washing his caravan.

    Hot water from the facilities block in his foaming bucket and a hose running from the MSP to rinse it down.

    He was gone on the 3rd day when we returned from a day out, not sure if he left or just washed the caravan away. laughing

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #21

    Our van and car got a freebie this evening, it absolutely hammered it down for an hour or so.  Who wants spoil a holiday

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2019 #22

    I must admit to cleaning the front of our van while on site, especially when it's covered in cow muck, as I hate for it to solidify and get bedded in. However as we are nearly always on CLs the owners do not seem to be bothered by my actions.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2019 #23

    I have only been "questioned" on one site when rinsing our motor caravans or caravans when on a pitch, but i have never found the need to use anything but warm water and cleaning mitt ,as pointed out when questionedcool

  • skodaman
    skodaman Forum Participant Posts: 141
    edited September 2019 #24

    Why wash your unit on site it will only get mucky going home just a waste of time  I think

  • roxyr10
    roxyr10 Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited September 2019 #25

    Having been on a pitch adjacent to a caravan where the father had the son standing on the roof with hose & brush with effluent going everywhere, including on to my pitch, I can fully understand why you shouldn’t be allowed to give your van a full wash. Windows, lights yes but apart from health and safety and environment issues are club sites metered? 

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
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    edited September 2019 #26

    I would want to wash my van if I had effluent on the roof!

    I wash my van on site, and specifically use serviced pitches on sites that do not object and have pitches large enough so as not to inconvenience other site patrons.

    I do not have water in my storage facility.

    The objection is usually based on the fact that as a business they a lot more for water and it is metered. I always ask first and offer to pay if appropriate. 

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited September 2019 #27

    Some sites have a Dog wash and some even a Boat wash, think a Caravan/ Motorhome wash would be a good idea, if the space was available but not on pitches for obvious already stated reasons.I wash mine at home but some take their units straight to storage, where water may not be available. For a small cost of course with a H&S disclaimer.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2019 #28

    as Ray says, these things are great if kept out of the way...and are designed for the job.

    a site we were on in the spring in Spain had two washing points....cars and MH were regularly cleaned using these...no charge.

    one was incorporated into the MHSP (large and not obstructing other traffic) and the other was a pitch sized parking area with hose and drainage...probably designed to be a car washing area, although the odd MH appeared now and again.

    of course, not a club site and no specific rules as not done on pitches so impact negligible.

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2019 #29
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