We know you care about the way your RV looks inside and out. But mold...
Mold does NOT care how nice you want your RV to look. Mold doesn't care if you want your rig to look sharp, clean, or new. The only thing mold cares about is finding a bit of moisture and spreading itself out across every surfaces inside your recreational vehicle.
And it won't stop unless you do something about it!
Moisture is truly one of the biggest threats to your RV. It gives bacteria something to feed on, which allows mold and mildew to thrive. And if left unchecked, they can destroy wood, eat away at fabrics, and ruin the air quality inside your RV.
On the bright side, preventing mold is easier than you might think!
The following guide covers mold prevention, early detection, and tips for long-term protection against mold, mildew and other types of bacterial growth.
What Causes Mold and Mildew in RVs?
Moisture and poor ventilation are the two main culprits that cause mold to develop inside your RV.
Moisture can get inside in many different ways, including from RV roof leaks, worn out sealant around vents, windows and doors, or even just from condensation from cooking, showering, or using your air conditioner during the summer.
So preventing moisture and dampness is THE most important thing you can do to prevent mold.
But between fixing and repairing RV roof leaks, and keeping dampness out, it can be hard to prevent moisture inside an RV, which is why proper air circulation is the second important aspect of mold prevention.
Mold loves stale, stagnant and damp air. So when there's inadequate airflow inside an RV or travel trailer, it can be a strong catalyst for mold and mildew to spread.
How to Prevent Mold in Your RV (Step-by-Step)
Mold can be incredibly destructive when left unchecked. But the good news is that it's relatively easy to prevent. Below, we cover how to prevent mold from developing in your RV, camper, or travel trailer.
Inspect for leaks regularly
We strongly encourage all RV and camper owners to inspect and seal roofs at least once or twice per year. The sealants around your roof edges, vent caps, AC units, or other roof protrusion can dry up and wear out over time, allowing rain water and snow melt to get inside.
These locations are all prime spots where moisture gets in. So be sure to inspect all roof seams, around your windows, vents, slide-outs, or anywhere else where sealant or caulking is present.
If you find any gaps, cracks, or openings, seal them immediately with TitanPatch Pro RV Sealant Tape or other high-quality RV-specific sealants.
Use a dehumidifier or moisture absorbers
Whether your RV is sealed up for the winter or just for a few weeks in between trips, it's important to keep moisture levels as low as possible. Even if your roof isn't leaking, condensation can still get trapped inside.
That's why we recommend using a dehumidifier periodically to capture and remove moisture before it has a chance to build up.
You can also use moisture-absorbing products or moisture traps, which are ideal for use during longer storage periods and throughout the winter.
Ventilate and wipe up condensation
Whenever possible, open your vents and let air circulate inside the RV. Open windows, use roof fans or vents and let fresh, clean air move around the inside of your motorhome.
This is especially important to do if you or anyone else is using the RV's shower or cooking, both of which tend to create a lot of moisture.
Furthermore, when you do see moisture build up or condensation, wipe it up and clean it as soon as possible. Always keep windows, walls, and the ceiling as clean and dry as possible, which is particularly true near the bathroom area.
Keep your RV interior dry
The final takeaway is that you need to keep surfaces, fabrics, and everything else inside your RV as clean and dry as possible.
Mold and mildew only develop when they have moisture and a lack of air circulation. So, when the interior of your RV is clean and dry, it's virtually impossible for mold and mildew to grow.
We recommend using highly-absorbent microfiber cloths to wipe down surfaces periodically. And to check wood and fabric areas often. The key to mold prevention is catching moisture and mold early and cleaning it before it has a chance to spread.
How to Prevent Mold in Common Problem Areas
Certain areas of an RV or camper are prone to moisture build-up and mold, which is why it's crucial to check and clean these areas regularly.
Here are a few extra tips for preventing mold in common problem areas.
- Fridge: Leave doors open during storage. Always clean and dry the fridge and freezer before closing the RV up for storage
- Wood surfaces: Apply anti-fungal wood treatment products and using damp cloths without cleaning products that can actually spread mold spores around
- Air conditioner: Clean your RV air filters monthly and replace at recommend intervals. Spray AC unit coils with mold-preventive cleaner if needed.
- Bathroom and kitchen: Use exhaust fans and always dry floors, walls, ceilings, and windows as soon as possible after they've gotten wet.
Detecting Early Signs of RV Mold or Mildew
Detecting and cleaning mold early is the only way to prevent it from spreading throughout your walls, floors and ceiling panels. But how exactly can you detect mold early?
Fortunately, there are some telltale signs that you've got a mold problem in your RV. Let's take a closer look!
- Musty smell - You can usually tell you've got mold if there's a damp or musty smell present. This can be hard to notice if you're accustomed to it. But it can sometimes be quite strong, especially after having the RV in storage.
- Dark stains - If you see dark stains developing anywhere inside the RV (walls, floors, bathroom, ceiling panels, cabinets), it's a sure-fire sign that mold and mildew are starting to take root.
- Soft wood or panels - Soft spots on the ceiling, walls, floors or cabinets are another sure sign that moisture has been present for some time and that it's starting to cause damage.
- Bubbling near seams - Notice bubbled ceiling panels or walls? That's also a good indication that moisture is present, which can lead to bacterial mold growth if left unchecked.
Because it's impossible to see if there's moisture present behind paneling, you may want to use a moisture meter to check for hidden leaks and dampness. These are small devices that can detect moisture through surfaces. Unless you can see water, using a moisture meter is pretty much the only way to tell if there's dampness present inside RV walls or paneling.
You might also want to check out our guide on how to find a leak in your RV roof, which discusses how to spot signs of water intrusion and what to do once you've found a leak.
Cleaning and Treating Mold Safely - How To Remove Mold
Mold spores can be dangerous if you breathe them in, which is why it's crucial to prevent mold from developing in the first, and to take a few simple precautions when it comes to cleaning it.
Here's how to clean mold and treat the interior of your RV before your problem gets any worse.
- Ventilate the RV - It's super important to ensure the area is well ventilated when cleaning mold and mildew. When you clean mold, it can release spores into the air, which can be breathed in without you noticing. Therefore, ventilation is a MUST!
- Wear gloves and mask - Coming into contact with mold can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation and respiratory problems. Therefore, wearing protective gloves and a mask is crucial when cleaning mold.
- Use RV-safe cleaners - There are dozens of effective mold and mildew removers on the market. But using household products like, vinegar, baking soda, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide can be just as powerful at killing and cleaning mold.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia - Never mix any type of household cleaning products together, especially not bleach and ammonia. Mixing these two products can create poisonous gases that can cause chest pain and shortness of breath.
Cleaning up smaller mold problems isn't complicated or hard. But it does require a few extra steps, like wearing gloves and a mask, to ensure you do it safely.
However, if you're dealing with a larger infestations, particularly if you find that mold widespread throughout your RV, we encourage you to contact a professional mold remediation company, who can deal with the issue safely and effectively.
Preventing Mold During RV Storage
Mold and mildew stains typically develop when your RV is parked and stored for lengthier periods of time. That's why it's important to winterize your RV properly and clean all interior and exterior surfaces before closing the door for the winter.
Here are a handful of tips to prevent mold during winter storage.
- Fully dry the interior - Clean and wipe down all surfaces with a multi-surface cleaner. Then leave the windows and doors open to allow everything to dry thoroughly. You can also use a dehumidifier to speed up the process.
- Remove food and fabrics - Always remove food and fabrics before storing your RV or travel trailer for the winter. Unless they're canned goods, most food products will go bad and rot if left for too long, and fabrics can trap and hold moisture, leading to foul, mildewy smells.
- Optimize air circulation - Leave cabinet doors, fridge/freezer doors, and bathroom doors open. This allows air to move freely throughout the RV during storage, reducing the chance that mold and mildew will develop.
- Use moisture traps and check monthly - You can purchase moisture-absorbing products that capture moisture and prevent mold and mildew. You can also use a dehumidifier and check it/empty it periodically.
- Close roof vents but ensure airflow - We don't recommend leaving vents or windows open during winter storage. But you can periodically open them to air our your RV throughout the winter on nicer, warmer days.
- Store your valuables - Whether we're talking about your RV's registration or insurance documents, we strongly encourage you to place them it a FireShield Pro fireproof bags, which can protect your valuables dampness, mold and mildew.
Image courtesy of Farzn Dehbashi @ Unsplash.com
Long-Term Moisture Protection for Your RV
The best way to prevent mold and mildew from developing inside your RV is to prevent moisture from getting inside.
We've actually written a full series of blog posts and guides on how to inspect, repair and prevent RV roof leaks. But here's a quick list of tips on how to prevent leaks, water intrusion and mold from developing inside your RV.
- Re-seal RV roof seams annually using TitanPatch Pro Tape or approved RV sealant.
- Park under covered areas whenever possible
- Inspect roof vents, seams, AV unit and ladder mounts regularly
- Use moisture absorbing products or a dehumidifier whenever possible
- Ventilate the RV after showering or cooking
- Ensure adequate airflow by opening cabinets during storage
- Remove clothing and fabrics during winter storage
- Don't leave food products unused for too long
Frequently Asked Questions - How To Prevent Mold In RV
Mold and mildew are silent killers when it comes to the interior of your RV. When moisture gets inside, it can slowly eat away at wood and destroy your rig's structural integrity. So it's crucial to take the steps necessary to prevent water intrusion, maximize air flow, and stop mold before it develops!
Here are some frequently asked questions we hear from our readers about RV mold prevention.
How can I tell if my RV has hidden mold?
Hidden mold can be hard to detect. But if you notice musty or damp smells, it's usually a good indication that there's mold hidden underneath the upholstery or inside interior paneling. You can use a moisture detector on the floor, flooring and ceiling to check for moisture hidden on the other side.
How do I remove mold from RV walls or wood?
Start by opening your RV's vents, windows and doors to allow better air circulation. Then spray a mold and mildew stain remover on affected surfaces, wipe clean and dry thoroughly. You can also use household products like vinegar, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide to kill and clean mold.
What is the best mold and mildew remover for RV interiors?
There are dozens are mold and mildew removal products on the market. You can search online for effective cleaners or ask around at your local RV dealership for RV-specific recommendations. Stores like Walmart, Lowes, or Home Depot should also carry cleaning products for killing, cleaning and preventing mold growth.
How do I prevent mold in my RV fridge or my RV roof AC unit?
Mold and mildew prevention is as simple as keeping things dry and ensuring adequate circulation. That's why we recommend leaving your RV fridge and cabinet open when you're not using the vehicle. We also recommend changing air filters frequently, cleaning surfaces, and ventilating the vehicle regularly.
Can black mold in an RV make you sick?
Yes, black mold and mildew can make you sick. Breathing in mold spores can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Coughing, sneezing and a runny nose are common side-effects from contact with mold. But more severe reactions include skin irritation, difficulty breathy, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Always wear gloves and a mask if you suspect mold is present in your RV.
How do I keep moisture low inside my RV year-round?
Fixing and preventing leaks is the best way to prevent moisture from getting inside your ceiling and wall panels. We also recommend using a dehumidifier, running fans and opening vents to keep moisture low in an RV year round. During storage, we also strongly encourage you to use a dehumidifier if possible or moisture absorbers that prevent water buildup inside the RV.